Visa + Onafriq Join Forces to Power Mobile Money & Card Interoperability in the DRC

Onafriq and Visa Partner to Launch Visa Pay, Unlocking Interoperability Between Card and Mobile Money in the DRC

Onafriq, Africa’s largest digital payments network, today announced a strategic partnership with Visa to launch Visa Pay, a cloud-native Payments-as-a-Service platform designed to expand digital financial access across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Through this partnership, consumers in the DRC will be able to conveniently fund their Visa Pay wallets directly from mobile money channels, unlocking seamless access to everyday digital and e-commerce payments. Powered by Onafriq’s APIs, the collaboration enables mobile money collections and disbursements from M-Pesa, Airtel Money and Orange Money wallets, effectively bridging Visa’s card network with millions of mobile money wallets across the country.

“Our collaboration with Onafriq represents our ambition to accelerate financial inclusion in the DRC,” said Sophie Kafuti, General Manager of Visa 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.

The timing aligns with significant market growth. GSMA data projects the DRC’s mobile payments industry will reach $3.85 billion in transaction value this year, representing a 19% compound annual growth rate. This market encompasses retail payments, e-commerce, government services, bill payments, payroll disbursements, and business collections nationwide.

“Onafriq has connected Congolese consumers to Africa and the world for years, operating as the trusted infrastructure in the background,” said Christian Bwakira, Chief Commercial Officer of Onafriq. “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.”

Beyond DRC, the partnership opens the door for Visa Pay to expand into other African markets, where mobile money adoption is already high and demand for interoperable, digital-first solutions is accelerating.