Visa Develops Regional Center in Tanzania to Amplify Digital Payment Services
Visa Strengthens Presence in East Africa with New Tanzania Office
In a significant move to deepen its commitment to the region, global leader in digital payments, Visa, has launched a new office in Tanzania. The office, based in Dar es Salaam, will serve as a regional hub overseeing operations in Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.
Victor Makere, a Tanzanian national with extensive experience in the financial sector, has been appointed as Country Manager for the new office. His role will be instrumental in driving innovation, building partnerships, and expanding access to secure and convenient digital payment systems.
The Tanzania office is part of Visa's broader strategy to strengthen its presence across East Africa. The move aligns with Tanzania’s goal to become a cash-light economy by bridging the gap for large segments still reliant on cash.
Visa aims to promote secure digital payments, fintech innovation, and merchant acceptance to accelerate the digital economy transition. To achieve this, the company is collaborating with government agencies to digitize payments for public services in Tanzania.
In addition, Visa is partnering with ACCOSCA to expand digital financial services in Tanzania and Kenya, targeting underserved populations. The company has also integrated mobile money into its global payments network, launching the M-PESA Visa virtual card with Vodacom Tanzania.
Visa is rolling out tokenisation technology to enhance digital transaction security. The company is also introducing platforms that facilitate digital payments for smallholder farmers and fishers in Tanzania.
The new office's operations are not limited to Tanzania. Visa's expansion strategy includes closing financial access gaps for underserved populations across the region. The company is working towards this goal by collaborating with local partners, governments, and financial regulators.
This approach to public-private partnerships is a key element of Visa’s African strategy. The company is investing in infrastructure like the Johannesburg data centre, which enhances transaction speed and security continent-wide. Visa is also running initiatives like the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator, which nurtures fintech startups to drive innovation and inclusion.
In summary, Visa’s East African strategy, as exemplified by its new office in Tanzania, is focused on:
- Establishing a permanent local presence to deepen partnerships and regional reach across Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi
- Promoting digital payments to reduce cash reliance and improve financial inclusion
- Supporting fintech innovation and merchant acceptance for a robust digital ecosystem
- Aligning with national economic goals for digital and financial inclusion
- Enhancing collaboration with governments and regulators to ensure inclusive financial transformation
Visa’s move reflects its commitment to accelerating digital transformation and financial inclusion across East Africa. The company's initiatives in Tanzania are aimed at boosting financial inclusion and income security in rural areas and supporting tourism-related income. The regional office in Dar es Salaam underscores Visa’s long-term commitment to supporting East Africa’s transition to a digital economy.
- The new Visa office in Tanzania, based in Dar es Salaam, will oversee operations not only in Tanzania but also in Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, demonstrating a regional approach to strengthening the company's infrastructure in East Africa.
- To promote secure digital payments and fintech innovation, Visa is collaborating with government agencies in Tanzania to digitize payments for public services, highlighting the role of technology in their digital economy transition.
- In line with its strategy to target underserved populations, Visa partnered with ACCOSCA to expand digital financial services in Tanzania and Kenya, utilizing mobile technology for wider access.
- To boost financial inclusion and income security, particularly in rural areas, Visa has integrated mobile money into its global payments network in Tanzania, as evidenced by the M-PESA Visa virtual card with Vodacom Tanzania.
