The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has taken a step forward in digital finance with the launch of Visa Pay, a mobile-first payments solution that enables consumers to send, receive, and move money across banks and mobile networks. The service was unveiled in Kinshasa this week by Visa Inc., the global payments company.
Visa Pay is available as a standalone mobile app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and can also be integrated directly into participating banks’ apps. The platform provides account-to-account money transfers in both Congolese francs (CDF) and US dollars, and includes features such as cash-in and cash-out at bank branches, virtual cards for online payments, and advanced risk and fraud prevention systems.
At launch, Visa Pay is supported by Access Banque, FBN, Sofibanque, Solidaire Banque, and UBA, with BGFI, Equity Bank, and TMB expected to join soon. By connecting multiple financial institutions into a single interoperable network, Visa Pay is designed to serve both banked and unbanked users.
“Visa Pay is part of our commitment to driving innovative solutions as a catalyst for greater financial inclusion,” said Sophie Kafuti, General Manager for Visa DRC. “Through Visa Pay, we aim to stimulate economic growth and help position the DRC as a regional leader in financial technology.”
Read also: Truecaller deploys AI to redefine caller identification and combat global phone fraud
The initiative comes at a time when digital finance adoption in Africa is expanding rapidly, but challenges remain. In the DRC, where much of the population remains outside the formal banking system, access to mobile-based payment services is viewed as a critical enabler for financial inclusion. By offering near real-time transfers and interoperable access across partner banks and mobile networks, Visa Pay seeks to close gaps that have long limited participation in the digital economy.
Visa’s launch underscores a wider trend of multinational payment companies investing in African markets to strengthen digital infrastructure, reduce reliance on cash, and expand opportunities for individuals and businesses. With its dual-currency capabilities and emphasis on accessibility, Visa Pay is expected to play a role in linking the Congolese financial system more closely to regional and global markets.
The company emphasized that the solution was designed with affordability and convenience in mind, positioning it as a tool not only for consumers but also for small businesses seeking to manage payments, access digital commerce, and reduce risks associated with cash transactions.
The introduction of Visa Pay aligns with broader financial inclusion goals across the continent, where mobile money and digital payments are increasingly central to strategies for economic transformation. For the DRC, a country with vast natural resources but persistent financial access challenges, the launch represents a step toward building a more connected and resilient financial ecosystem.
Read also: Remarkable not remakeable, inside African Originals’ sustainability journey
