ORANGE Middle East and Africa (OMEA) and Mastercard have launched a major partnership to expand mobile financial services across sub-Saharan Africa. Set to benefit millions of Orange Money users, this collaboration aims to give digital payment access through Mastercard’s global merchant network by 2025, rolling out first in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.
With only 48 percent of adults in Africa having access to banking services, according to the African Digital Banking Transformation Report, the new partnership between Orange and Mastercard seeks to bridge this gap. Orange Money customers will soon be able to obtain virtual or physical Mastercard debit cards linked directly to their mobile wallets. These cards will enable easy local and international payments at any point of sale or on websites and mobile apps that accept Mastercard. Virtual cards can be activated through Orange’s Max it Super App, while physical cards will be available at Orange Money Mastercard points of sale.
‘This partnership brings top-notch innovation to our customers, allowing them to pay with a Mastercard linked to their Orange Money wallet when travelling internationally, and granting access to global online shopping in a simple and secure way,’ said Aminata Kane, CEO of Orange Money Group, Middle East and Africa. ‘By empowering users to pay effortlessly with Mastercard’s virtual card, we’re enhancing their financial independence and opening new doors.’
Mastercard’s Executive Vice President of Market Development, Amnah Ajmal, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the commitment to financial inclusion through advanced digital tools. ‘Our collaboration with Orange Money represents a significant step towards unlocking digital financial services across Africa, enabling millions to participate in the global economy,’ she said. ‘This partnership reflects our vision of an inclusive digital ecosystem that leaves no one behind.’
With over 160 million customers and 37 million active Orange Money accounts across 17 African and Middle Eastern countries, Orange has already played a key role in promoting financial inclusion. Through affordable, mobile-based financial tools such as transfers and payments, Orange Money has made secure financial solutions accessible to many who were previously excluded from traditional banking systems.
For Mastercard, this collaboration reinforces its position as a trusted partner for telecom providers in Africa. The company’s expertise in secure payment technology and its support for local small businesses enhance both financial inclusion and innovation across the continent. This partnership aligns with Orange’s strategy to offer more efficient, seamless financial solutions, supporting Africa’s digital transformation while broadening financial access for underserved communities.
