Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 17, Onafriq, Africa’s largest digital payments network, has announced a strategic partnership with Visa to launch Visa Pay, a cloud-native Payments-as-a-Service platform aimed at improving digital financial access in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The initiative is designed to expand the reach of digital transactions and enhance convenience for consumers nationwide.

Through the collaboration, customers in the DRC will be able to directly fund their Visa Pay wallets from existing mobile money channels. This integration will enable seamless digital and e-commerce payments, creating new opportunities for individuals and businesses.

The platform is powered by Onafriq’s APIs, which allow mobile money collections and disbursements from M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and Orange Money wallets. By connecting Visa’s card network with millions of mobile money wallets in the country, the partnership bridges existing financial infrastructure and strengthens the foundation for greater interoperability.

This move comes at a time of notable market growth. According to GSMA data, the mobile payments industry in the DRC is projected to reach a transaction value of $3.85 billion in 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 19%. This expanding market includes retail and e-commerce transactions, government services, bill payments, payroll disbursements, and business collections across the nation.

In addition to its launch in the DRC, the partnership paves the way for Visa Pay to enter other African markets where mobile money adoption is already widespread. Demand for interoperable and digital-first solutions is rising quickly, and the platform is expected to support broader financial innovation on the continent.

Sophie Kafuti, General Manager of Visa in the DRC, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “Our collaboration with Onafriq represents our ambition to accelerate financial inclusion in the DRC. By connecting Visa Pay to existing mobile money infrastructure, we're not just adding convenience—we're creating the interoperability foundation that will fuel digital commerce adoption across the country.”

Christian Bwakira, Chief Commercial Officer of Onafriq, highlighted the broader impact of the collaboration: “Onafriq has connected Congolese consumers to Africa and the world for years, operating as the trusted infrastructure in the background. This partnership demonstrates how combining Visa's global network reach with Onafriq's deep on-ground presence creates unprecedented possibilities for innovation and financial inclusion across Africa. When you unite world-class global capabilities with trusted local networks, you unlock transformative opportunities for both partners and the millions of consumers we serve.”

With Visa’s international expertise and Onafriq’s established presence in African markets, Visa Pay is positioned to strengthen the digital payments ecosystem in the DRC and beyond. The partnership underscores the growing role of mobile money in driving financial access and supporting the digital economy in Africa.