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M-Pesa Africa, the mobile money platform jointly operated by Safaricom and Vodacom Group, has announced an expanded partnership with global payment infrastructure provider Thunes. This collaboration will enable M-Pesa users in Kenya and Tanzania to make seamless payments in China, directly from their M-Pesa wallets.
Through this partnership, customers of Safaricom and Vodacom Tanzania will soon gain the ability to use the M-Pesa Super App to scan and pay at Chinese merchants. Expected to launch in the coming months, this innovation addresses the challenges faced by travelers navigating China’s cashless economy, where platforms like AliPay and WeChat Paydominate.
Seamless Cross-Border Payments
The partnership eliminates the need for cumbersome foreign exchange conversions. Payments will be made directly from users’ M-Pesa accounts, offering unmatched convenience and a smoother payment experience for travelers.
Announcing the feature on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), M-Pesa Africa highlighted its commitment to empowering its customers with efficient global payment solutions. The initiative is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to expand international payment capabilities.
Expanding Global Reach
M-Pesa’s collaboration with Thunes is not its first foray into enhancing payment solutions for international transactions. Safaricom has previously partnered with AliPay and WeChat Pay to support remittance flows to China.
Thunes, headquartered in Singapore, operates a proprietary Direct Global Network that connects over 7 billion mobile wallets and bank accounts globally. Supporting 320 payment methods—including M-Pesa, AliPay, and WeChat Pay—Thunes also facilitates transactions via platforms like GCash, Airtel, MTN, Orange, and JazzCash.
Growing Regional and Global Influence
This development comes on the heels of M-Pesa’s recent expansion into Ethiopia, enabling seamless cross-border mobile money transactions between Kenya and Ethiopia. With services now supporting payments in over 190 countries, M-Pesa is rapidly strengthening its global footprint.
Earlier this year, Safaricom signed a significant international money transfer agreement with Onafriq, aimed at streamlining remittance flows in Ethiopia. Such initiatives highlight M-Pesa’s strategic focus on enhancing regional and global financial connectivity.
Driving Innovation and Financial Inclusion
M-Pesa’s latest offering with Thunes further cements its position as a leader in mobile money services. By delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to the needs of its users, the platform is fostering financial inclusion while simplifying global transactions for millions of customers.
Through strategic partnerships and continuous innovation, M-Pesa is not only transforming the digital payment landscape but also ensuring its users remain connected in an increasingly cashless and interconnected world.
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