Vodacom Tanzania’s M-Pesa is making a major play for the global digital economy, launching a suite of cross-border payment solutions that dramatically expand where and how its users can transact.
Why it matters
This move positions M-Pesa as one of Africa’s most advanced digital payment systems, directly tackling the “costly, slow, or insecure” traditional barriers faced by Tanzanian merchants and travelers.
The New Toolkit
M-Pesa’s new “Global Payment” ecosystem is built on a series of high-profile partnerships:
- Tap & Pay: A first in Africa, the M-Pesa Visa tokenized card now allows customers to make global Tap & Pay transactions using their phone. Secure, contactless, everywhere Visa is accepted.
- China Corridor: Enabled by Thunes, users can now pay merchants in China via Alipay. A massive boost for international trade.
- Dubai Link: Via TerraPay, M-Pesa users can transact with select merchants in Dubai.
- Uganda Interoperability: Powered by Thunes, customers can pay merchants in Uganda directly into MTN MoMo wallets. Seamless regional trade for SMEs.
The big picture: The goal is to let people and businesses “transact across borders with the same ease as they transact locally,” says M-Pesa Director Epimack Mbeteni. - This is about deepening financial inclusion, opening new trade corridors, and reducing the cost of doing business for MSMEs.
What they’re saying: - Visa’s Victor Makere: The Tap & Pay innovation brings an “added layer of safety and convenience,” supporting Tanzania’s shift “toward a fully digital payments ecosystem.”
- Thunes’ Andrew Stewart: The Alipay integration is a “game-changer for accessibility,” making it possible for Tanzanian businesses to pay Chinese merchants instantly.
Bottom line
M-Pesa is leveraging Tanzania’s high mobile money and mobile penetration to become a crucial player in the global payments landscape, not just a local one.
