Vodacom Tanzania has launched M-Pesa Global Payment, a set of new international payment features designed to improve digital financial inclusion and cross-border trade. The service is powered through partnerships with Visa, Alipay, Network International, Magnati, MTN Uganda and Thunes.
Customers can use the M-Pesa Visa tokenized card to make Tap and Pay transactions globally. Users can also pay merchants in China through the Alipay ecosystem, transact with select merchants in Dubai through TerraPay supported networks and pay merchants in Uganda directly into MTN MoMo wallets. All features are available within the M-Pesa menu and the M-Pesa Super App.
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Vodacom says the features provide a secure and simple process that removes traditional banking barriers for traders and businesses. Together, the new tools position M-Pesa as one of the most advanced digital payment platforms in Africa.
The company says the updates respond to growing demand among Tanzanian customers and frequent travelers who transact across East Africa, the Middle East, Asia and other global markets. Many users face slow or costly payment processes, which the new service aims to address.
Epimack Mbeteni, M-Pesa Director at Vodacom Tanzania, said, “Our partnerships with VISA, Alipay, Network Internal and MTN Uganda demonstrate our commitment to building a strong and interconnected digital payments ecosystem. Together, we are enabling people and businesses to transact across borders with the same ease as they transact locally, securely, instantly, and affordably. This is central to M-Pesa’s Purpose deepening financial inclusion and ensuring that digital innovation benefits every micro, small and medium enterprise. Through this combined effort, we are opening new trade corridors, reducing the cost of doing business, and giving customers greater freedom to participate in the global digital economy.”
One of the new features is the M-Pesa Tap and Pay Solution with Visa. It is the first of its kind in Africa and allows customers to pay worldwide using their phones through the M-Pesa Visa card. Victor Makere, Visa Country Manager for Tanzania, said the collaboration will help millions of M-Pesa users make secure, contactless payments globally. He added that tokenization improves safety by preventing the exposure of card details.
Thunes is supporting payments to Chinese merchants through its Direct Global Network. Andrew Stewart, Chief Revenue Officer at Thunes, said the partnership makes it possible for Tanzanian businesses to pay merchants in China instantly through the Alipay ecosystem. He noted that this level of interoperability builds trust in mobile money systems and supports international trade.
TerraPay is enabling payments to select merchants in Dubai. Willie Kanyeki, Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa at TerraPay, said the collaboration expands secure digital commerce for Tanzanians trading in Dubai.
MTN Uganda is supporting payments to MTN MoMo merchants in Uganda. Richard Yego, MTN Mobile Money Uganda Director, said the partnership simplifies regional trade for SMEs in Tanzania and Uganda.
With high mobile money usage in Tanzania, Vodacom believes the new features will support micro, small and medium enterprises as well as consumers who need reliable and convenient financial tools.
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