Vodacom has launched M-Pesa Global Payment, a new service designed to revolutionize cross-border trade and deepen digital financial inclusion.
The initiative, unveiled in partnership with Visa, Alipay, Network International, Magnati, TerraPay and MTN Uganda, enables customers to make secure Tap & Pay transactions worldwide using the M-Pesa Visa tokenized card.
Through the service, Tanzanian customers can pay merchants in China via Alipay, transact in Dubai through TerraPay-supported merchants, and pay directly into MTN MoMo wallets in Uganda, all from the M-Pesa menu or Super App.
Epimack Mbeteni, M-Pesa Director at Vodacom Tanzania, said the partnerships demonstrate the company’s commitment to building an interconnected digital payments ecosystem. “We are enabling people and businesses to transact across borders with the same ease as they transact locally, securely, instantly, and affordably,” he said.
Victor Makere, Visa Country Manager for Tanzania, described the Tap & Pay solution as the first of its kind in Africa, adding that tokenization provides an added layer of safety and convenience for global transactions.
Andrew Stewart, Chief Revenue Officer at Thunes, noted that enabling payments to Chinese merchants through Alipay strengthens trust in mobile financial ecosystems and supports international trade.
Willie Kanyeki, Vice President of Sub-Saharan Africa at TerraPay, said the partnership expands secure digital commerce opportunities for Tanzanians doing business in Dubai, while Richard Yego, MTN Mobile Money Uganda Director, emphasized the role of the collaboration in simplifying regional trade for SMEs.
Vodacom said the innovations respond to growing demand from Tanzanian customers and travelers who frequently transact across East Africa, the Middle East, Asia and globally, but face challenges with costly or slow payment processes.
The company added that the new solutions will serve as strategic drivers for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and everyday consumers, positioning M-Pesa as one of Africa’s most advanced digital payment systems.
