Network International, a leading digital commerce enabler in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), has partnered with Airtel Money, Airtel Africa’s mobile money platform, to roll out digital payment solutions across key African markets.
Uganda is the first country to go live under the pan-African payment processing partnership, with further activations planned across Africa and Francophone countries in 2025.
Under this collaboration, Network International will provide expertise and support for transaction processing, card management, fraud prevention, API sandbox services, reconciliation and settlement, and online access for Airtel Money users.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Reda Helal, Group Managing Director – Processing, Africa, and Co-Head Group Processing at Network International, said: “We aim to cover significant ground on our Airtel rollouts this year after going live in Uganda and make greater strides for our outsourced payments services in Africa. We are excited to add value to Airtel’s capabilities, continue driving the success of Mobile Network Operators, and contribute to financial inclusion across the continent.”
Ian Ferrao, Group CEO of Airtel Money at Airtel Africa, described the partnership as a key milestone. “We are delighted with this major milestone in our partnership and are eager to keep innovating and elevating our customer experiences with the support of Network’s digital payments expertise. Together, we will pave the way for more citizens to gain access to the continent’s growing digital economy,” he said.
Network International provides a comprehensive suite of technology-enabled payment solutions for merchants and financial institutions across 50 countries in the MEA region, including more than 40 African markets.
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Airtel Africa operates in 14 countries across the continent, primarily in Central and West Africa, and serves over 140 million customers. Its Airtel Money platform has more than 36 million users, contributing to the growing adoption of digital financial services across Africa.
The partnership is expected to accelerate financial inclusion by enhancing mobile money services and expanding digital payment access across the continent.
The partnership between Network International and Airtel Money is expected to further accelerate Africa’s digital economy, providing secure and seamless payment solutions that empower businesses and individuals alike.
