Airtel, Mastercard partner

Africa has partnered with Mastercard to transform digital payments and connect 100 million consumers in Africa.

Head of corporate communication at Airtel Zambia, Yuyo Nachali-Kambikambi, said the partnership would connect millions of Airtel Money customers to a global online market place.

This, she said, would be across multiple digital payment use cases and would provide access to Mastercard’s global network of merchants "Airtel Money customers, even those without a bank account, can now make online payments globally with their Airtel Money Mastercard virtual card,” she said.

She said Mastercard’s’ enabling infrastructure would enable a superior digital experience which Africa consumers were aspiring for.

Ms Nachali said the Mastercard virtual card allows Airtel Money customers, even those without a bank account, to make payments to local and global online merchants that accept Mastercard cards.

"In addition, Airtel Money customers will also be able to make in-person payments at outlets via Quick Response (QR) codes. To date, there are over 1 million merchant locations across Africa that accept Mastercard QR payments," she said.

She said Airtel Money customers would also benefit from competitive pricing and preferential exchange rates for international payments.

And Airtel Africa chief executive officer Raghunath Mandava, said Airtel and Mastercard would make mobile financial services accessible across Africa.

“Airtel and Mastercard have a shared passion for digital transformation and making mobile financial services accessible to everyone across the continent. Airtel Africa chief executive officer Raghunath Mandava

“Through our partnership we will enable over 100 million Airtel Africa customers make safe mobile money purchases online and in person," he said.

He said the partnership would also significantly bolster Airtel’s position as one of the largest offline-to-online digital payment network in Africa.

Meanwhile, Mastercard Middle East and Africa Executive Vice President for Market Development, Amnah Ajmal, said the strategy would be focused on enabling digital transformation for the clients.

“We are very excited to partner with Airtel to lead the transition to digital by enabling access to their millions of consumers for

online and in-person payments across the globe.

“Mastercard is uniquely positioned as a single technology provider to enable our digital partners like Airtel to transition seamlessly into digital," he said.