UBA, MasterCard Partner for African e-payments
MasterCard and United Bank for Africa (UBA) have completed a multi-country licensing project that will see the pan-African bank accept and issue MasterCard prepaid, debit and credit cards in 14 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.
Through the partnership, 14 of UBA’s 19 subsidiaries in the region will gain access to MasterCard payment solutions and electronic payments (e-payments). MasterCard will leverage UBA’s fast growing footprint to enhance the adoption of cashless payments in a wider geographical region across Africa.
UBA is now licensed to accept and issue MasterCard products in Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea (Conakry), Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Prior to the completion of the deal, United Bank for Africa was licensed to issue MasterCard payment products in Nigeria.
“This collaboration is a reflection of our vision, which is to be Africa’s bank of choice for the provision of innovative financial products and services,” said deputy managing director and chief executive (CEO), UBA Africa, Kennedy Uzoka.
“We understand the significance of partnerships, and what we have with a global player such as MasterCard, is an integral part of achieving our vision for Africa.”
The growth of Africa’s payments industry follows a combination of public and private investments in innovative solutions that will see the extension of financial inclusion to the unbanked and under-banked.