UAE-based fintech SanuPay has partnered with global payments software provider OpenWay to launch Ethiopia’s first domestic credit card—marking a major step toward a digitized financial ecosystem in East Africa.
Why it matters
This is Ethiopia’s first formal move into consumer credit cards, signaling a broader push to modernize its payment infrastructure and reduce dependence on cash.
Details:
- The rollout is powered by OpenWay’s Way4 platform, which supports issuing, acquiring, switching, and mobile wallet operations.
- SanuPay will issue:
- 4 million debit and prepaid cards
- 5,000 Visa and Mastercard credit cards
- Operate 10,000 POS terminals and 200 ATMs nationwide—all on Way4
- Oromia Bank will be the first to issue the domestic credit cards and plans a co-branded loyalty card with Sheba Miles.
- SantimPay, a licensed payment operator under the National Bank of Ethiopia, will handle secure local transaction switching.
Zoom out:
SanuPay isn’t stopping in Ethiopia.
- In Kenya, it’s working with banks and fintechs to modernize card processing, remittances, and cross-border payments.
- In Rwanda, it plans to support fintechs in issuing virtual cards, tokenization, and mobile wallet integration.
Between the lines
OpenWay’s Way4 platform, known for its no-code configurability (95% functionality), is gaining ground in Africa after proven success with Equity Bank and others.
What they’re saying:
“We have selected the best-in-class solution to provide best-in-class payment services in Ethiopia.” — Alfred Gachaga, CEO, SanuPay
“Way4 enables Ethiopia’s first domestic credit card while laying the foundation for a modern, inclusive, and interoperable payments landscape.” — Hermann Mike, Regional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, OpenWay
