Global payments platform provide VISA has announced that it is pledging to invest $1 billion in Africa over the next five years to advance resilient, innovative, and inclusive economies across the continent. The announcement was made at the US-Africa Business Forum in Washington, D.C.
The investment, to be deployed by 2027, will be used to scale operations, deploy new innovative technologies and deepen collaboration with partners.
The pledge will further scale Visa’s operations in Africa, and deepen collaboration with strategic partners including governments, financial institutions, mobile network operators, fintechs and merchants.
The investments will also focus on strengthening the payment ecosystem through new innovations and technologies, supporting the digitization of economies, and investing in upskilling, talent development and capacity building.
“Over the past year Visa has continued growing our investment in Africa, through new offices, new innovations and solutions, and programs that are directly supporting financial inclusion. The investment pledge outlines our long-term commitment to Africa and the work we will do to help advance the financial ecosystem,” said Aida Diarra, Senior Vice President, Visa Sub-Saharan Africa.