Mastercard has entered into a major strategic partnership with AXIAN Group to roll out a broad suite of digital payment tools across five African countries—Tanzania, Madagascar, Togo, Comoros and Senegal. The initiative marks a significant milestone in expanding safe, modern and inclusive financial services to millions of people across the continent.
Through this collaboration, consumers, small businesses and entrepreneurs will gain access to virtual and physical payment cards, along with merchant solutions integrated into AXIAN’s Mixx and MVola platforms. These tools are designed to help users pay and receive money securely from their mobile devices, reducing reliance on cash and strengthening participation in the digital economy.
Mastercard’s Executive Vice President for Market Development, Mete Guney, emphasised that technology continues to reshape how Africans engage with financial services. He noted that the partnership reflects Mastercard’s long-term commitment to supporting innovation, enabling safer transactions, and expanding financial access across Africa’s fast-growing digital ecosystem.
The new services will give users enhanced control over their financial activities. After downloading the Mixx or MVola app, customers can activate and load their virtual cards, view real-time exchange rates, and track or cancel transactions instantly. These features make international spending and cross-border payments not only more convenient but also significantly more secure.
Erwan Gelebart, CEO of AXIAN’s Digibank & Fintech cluster, highlighted the company’s ambition to play a central role in Africa’s digital transformation. He explained that the collaboration aims to provide practical, relevant financial tools that simplify daily life—whether for online shopping, sending money, or managing a business directly from a mobile app. According to Gelebart, empowering customers with modern financial solutions is essential to driving long-term economic participation.
Beyond immediate convenience, the partnership is expected to meaningfully expand financial inclusion across markets where access to traditional banking has historically been limited. By bridging gaps in service delivery, Mastercard and AXIAN hope to unlock new business opportunities, support entrepreneurship and contribute to the continent’s broader digital and economic advancement.
