Orange Middle East and Africa, Mastercard partner to enhance mobile financial services across sub-Saharan Africa

Joy Agwunobi

Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) has joined forces with Mastercard in a strategic partnership aimed at broadening access to mobile financial services throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

The agreement, recognised as one of the largest collaborations of its kind in the region, is expected to empower millions of Orange Money wallet customers to make digital payments across Mastercard’s expansive global network of merchants by 2025.

The rollout of this partnership will encompass seven key countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. According to the African Digital Banking Transformation report, only 48 per cent of Africa’s adult population currently has access to traditional banking services.

This partnership between Orange and Mastercard is strategically aimed at enhancing financial access and fostering economic empowerment for underserved communities across the continent. It marks a crucial step in the effort to improve financial accessibility in Sub-Saharan Africa by merging innovative technology with a profound understanding of local markets, ultimately working towards the establishment of a more inclusive financial landscape

As part of this initiative, Orange Money customers will have the opportunity to obtain both virtual and physical debit cards linked directly to their Orange Money wallets. These cards will facilitate seamless payments, both locally and internationally, allowing users to transact with local merchants and on any website or mobile application that accepts Mastercard.

According to the firm, customers can conveniently request their virtual debit card through Max it, Orange’s Super App and pick up their physical card at designated Orange Money Mastercard points of sale.

Aminata Kane, CEO of Orange Money Group for the Middle East and Africa, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating, “This collaboration presents an exciting opportunity to bring cutting-edge innovations to our customers. It will enable them to pay using the Mastercard linked to their Orange Money wallet when traveling internationally and facilitate online shopping worldwide in a simple and secure manner. By offering our users the capability to make effortless payments with the Mastercard virtual card, we are opening the door to new possibilities and enhancing their financial independence.”

Amnah Ajmal, executive vice president of market development at Mastercard EEMEA, stated, “At Mastercard, we are dedicated to advancing financial inclusion by harnessing state-of-the-art technology to create meaningful, scalable impact. Our collaboration with Orange Money marks a significant milestone in unlocking the full potential of digital financial services across Africa, enabling millions to engage in the global economy. This partnership is a testament to our vision of building an inclusive digital ecosystem that ensures no one is left behind.”