Visa Expands Presence in Tanzania through Establishment of Digital Payments Hub

Visa Opens New Office in Tanzania to Drive Digital Transformation

In a significant move to expand its presence in Africa, global digital payments leader Visa has established a new office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The office, which serves as a regional hub for operations in Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, was inaugurated during the first-ever Visa Day Tanzania 2025.

The event brought together stakeholders from the financial services ecosystem, including banks, fintech firms, mobile network operators, government agencies, and development partners. The aim was to shape the future of payments in Tanzania and foster collaboration to support the evolution of digital financial services.

Victor Makere, a Tanzanian national with extensive experience in the financial sector, has been appointed as Country Manager of the new office. Under Makere's leadership, the office is expected to drive innovation, build partnerships, and expand access to secure and convenient digital payment systems.

Visa's expansion strategy includes integrating mobile money into its global payments network. In line with this, the company has launched the M-PESA Visa virtual card, allowing users to make local and international online payments directly from their mobile wallets.

The move reflects Visa's growing commitment to accelerating digital transformation and financial inclusion across the region. Visa's specific initiatives in Tanzania to promote digital transformation, financial inclusion, and security in digital payments include:

Opening a local office in Dar es Salaam to deepen collaboration with local businesses, fintechs, and consumers, supporting the country's transition from cash-based to digital payments. This office serves as a regional hub for East Africa, demonstrating Visa’s commitment to fostering secure, convenient, and accessible digital financial services.
Promoting secure digital payments and fintech innovation by working with local partners to enhance merchant acceptance and support the adoption of modern payment methods, such as QR codes and mobile wallet integrations, contributing to Tanzania's goal of developing a cash-light economy.
Lowering transaction fees and encouraging competition in the digital payments sector, which benefits consumers by reducing costs and removing barriers, especially for low-income users. This is aligned with regulatory reforms by Tanzanian authorities promoting interoperability and fee caps, which Visa supports through its market presence.
Implementing the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator program that supports early-stage fintech startups in Tanzania and across Africa through mentorship, training, networking, access to funding, and product incentives. The program helps scale innovations in digital payments, lending, cross-border transactions, and financial inclusion, directly contributing to digital transformation and security in the financial ecosystem.
Aligning with national financial inclusion objectives by partnering with government and industry stakeholders to foster a digitally inclusive economy, enhancing infrastructure, and supporting policy frameworks that build trust, security, and robust digital payment platforms.

In addition, Visa is introducing platforms that facilitate digital payments for smallholder farmers and fishers in Tanzania. The company is also rolling out tokenisation technology to enhance digital transaction security.

Visa's regional expansion in Tanzania also targets the vibrant small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. The company aims to contribute to the economic resilience and financial empowerment of communities across the region by building local capacity, fostering partnerships, and promoting inclusive innovation.

In summary, Visa’s Tanzanian initiatives integrate office establishment, fintech ecosystem support via accelerator programs, fee reduction, market competition, and collaboration with local stakeholders to drive secure digital payments, broaden financial inclusion, and accelerate Tanzania’s digital transformation.

[1] Visa Inc. (2022). Visa Expands Digital Payments Capabilities in Tanzania. Retrieved from https://usa.visa.com/about-visa/newsroom/press-releases/visa-expands-digital-payments-capabilities-in-tanzania.html [2] Visa Inc. (2022). Visa Unveils Plans to Deepen Collaboration with Local Businesses and Fintechs in Tanzania. Retrieved from https://usa.visa.com/about-visa/newsroom/press-releases/visa-unveils-plans-to-deepen-collaboration-with-local-businesses-and-fintechs-in-tanzania.html [3] Visa Inc. (2022). Visa Announces the Launch of the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator Program in Tanzania. Retrieved from https://usa.visa.com/about-visa/newsroom/press-releases/visa-announces-the-launch-of-the-visa-africa-fintech-accelerator-program-in-tanzania.html [4] Visa Inc. (2022). Visa Partners with ACCOSCA to Expand Digital Financial Services in Tanzania and Kenya. Retrieved from https://usa.visa.com/about-visa/newsroom/press-releases/visa-partners-with-accosca-to-expand-digital-financial-services-in-tanzania-and-kenya.html [5] Visa Inc. (2022). Visa Opens New Office in Tanzania to Support East Africa's Transition to a Digital Economy. Retrieved from https://usa.visa.com/about-visa/newsroom/press-releases/visa-opens-new-office-in-tanzania-to-support-east-africas-transition-to-a-digital-economy.html

The new Visa office in Dar es Salaam will drive innovation in fintech, aiming to expand access to secure and convenient digital payment systems in Tanzania.
In line with its expansion strategy, Visa is integrating mobile technology into its global payments network, launching the M-PESA Visa virtual card for mobile wallet users in Tanzania.
Visa's regional hub in Tanzania will lower transaction fees and encourage competition in the digital payments sector, ultimately benefiting consumers, especially low-income users.
To nurture digital transformation and financial inclusion, Visa will implement the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator program, supporting early-stage fintech startups in Tanzania and across Africa.