In a landmark agreement, Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) and Mastercard have announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing financial accessibility across Sub-Saharan Africa. This significant collaboration will enable millions of Orange Money wallet holders to make digital payments with Mastercard’s extensive global network of merchants by 2025. The initiative is set to launch in seven countries initially: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.
With only 48% of adults in Africa holding a formal bank account, according to the African Digital Banking Transformation Report, the collaboration is designed to bridge this gap by offering digital financial tools to underserved communities. By linking Orange Money accounts directly to Mastercard’s virtual and physical debit cards, users can access seamless, secure payment options for both local and international transactions. Customers will be able to request a virtual debit card through Orange’s Super App, Max it, or pick up a physical card at designated Orange Money Mastercard points of sale.
Aminata Kane, CEO of Orange Money Group, Middle East and Africa, highlighted the innovative potential of this partnership: “This collaboration is an opportunity to bring top-notch innovation to our customers, allowing them to pay with the Mastercard card linked to their Orange Money wallet when they travel internationally and enabling access to online shopping worldwide, in a simple and secure way. By offering our users the ability to pay effortlessly with Mastercard’s virtual card, we open the door to a world of new possibilities, promoting their financial independence.”
Mastercard’s Executive Vice President for Market Development in Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA), Amnah Ajmal, emphasized Mastercard’s commitment to financial inclusion: “Our collaboration with Orange Money represents a significant step in unlocking the full potential of digital financial services across Africa, enabling millions to participate in the global economy. This partnership reflects our vision of building an inclusive digital ecosystem that leaves no one behind.”
Orange’s expansive presence in the region, with over 160 million customers and 37 million active Orange Money accounts in 17 African and Middle Eastern countries, underscores the potential reach of this initiative. The service offers a range of essential financial tools via mobile phones, from secure transfers to payments, making reliable financial services accessible to previously underserved populations.
For Mastercard, this partnership further cements its role as a trusted technology partner for Africa’s telecommunications sector, leveraging its secure payment gateways, localized expertise, and tailored solutions to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the continent.
Through this collaboration, both Mastercard and Orange aim to advance financial inclusion and drive Africa’s digital transformation by bringing secure, efficient, and accessible payment solutions to individuals and businesses.
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