• Visa Pay is an interoperable payments solution that enables users to pay, get paid and move money.  
• Visa Pay is now available as a mobile app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and as a flexible integration option for banks to embed Visa Pay features directly into their own mobile apps. 
• Visa Pay will be first available through five partner banks — Access Banque, FBN, Sofibanque, Solidaire Banque, and UBA with BGFI, Equity Bank and TMB launching soon.

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has launched Visa Pay, an innovative mobile solution that provides access to digital payments and account-to-account money movement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Visa Pay is an interoperable and secure way for banked and unbanked consumers to pay, get paid, and move money across participating banks and mobile networks.  

With a focus on accessibility, affordability, and convenience, Visa Pay is tailored to meet the unique financial needs of individuals and businesses in the country.

As a mobile-first solution, Visa Pay offers easy enrolment, advanced risk and fraud prevention capabilities, and near real-time account-to-account money movement in two currencies – CDF and USD.

It also enables cash in / cash out at banks’ branches and facilitates online payments through virtual cards. 

The launching in the DRC in partnership with eight financial institutions: Access Banque, BGFI, Equity Bank, FBN, Sofibanque, Solidaire Banque, TMB, and UBA.

It is available as a mobile app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and also as a flexible integration option for banks, allowing them to embed Visa Pay features directly into their own mobile apps. 

Sophie Kafuti, general manager for Visa DRC said: “We are excited to launch Visa Pay, an interoperable solution to scale digital payments in the country. The launch is part of our commitment to driving innovative solutions as a catalyst for greater financial inclusion, helping to provide broader access to the digital economy. Through Visa Pay, we aim to stimulate economic growth and to help establish the DRC as a regional leader in financial technology”. 

The launch of solution in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) exemplifies Visa’s commitment to promoting financial inclusion and supporting economic growth.

By harnessing the transformative power of digital payments with local partnerships, Visa aims to unlock opportunities and empower both individuals and businesses to achieve their full potential. 

Sofibanque has decided to significantly upgrade and transform its IT systems, and therefore to improve service and customer experience, by colocating its equipment in a world-class secured environment.

The OADC Texaf – Kinshasa facility, with its 2MW capacity, has set the benchmark as the cornerstone of the DRC’s emerging digital ecosystem.

It is on track to achieve ISO27001 post-live certification, a first of other ISO Certifications, underscoring its commitment to the highest standards of security, operational excellence and client satisfaction.

Such a facility is particularly suited for the demanding requirements of the banking sector and other corporates, which include secure, reliable, scalable and cost-effective infrastructure.

This move underscores Sofibanque’s commitment to driving digital transformation in the DRC.

A colocation data centre like OADC Texaf – Kinshasa enables banks to modernise their IT operations, bring agility to expand for customer acquisition and growth.

By colocating their critical IT systems in a certified facility, financial institutions such as Sofibanque can benefit from enhanced physical security, sustained uptime and compliance with international standards and national regulations, all of which are crucial for supporting the expanding digital economy.

By partnering with OADC Texaf – Kinshasa, Sofibanque strengthens its digital capabilities, reinforcing its leadership in the DRC’s banking sector.

By leveraging the world-class colocation services at OADC Texaf – Kinshasa, Sofibanque will ensure superior service delivery to its growing customer base while also providing cost savings compared to maintaining in-house data storage and management systems.

With all the leading carriers installed in OADC Texaf connectivity ecosystem, Sofibanque has direct access to connectivity services, achieving efficient connectivity in tandem with cost savings.

For OADC Texaf – Kinshasa, this partnership marks a significant milestone, establishing the facility as a critical hub in the financial infrastructure of Central Africa.

As more banks follow Sofibanque, OADC Texaf – Kinshasa is set to become a cornerstone of the region’s digital transformation, driving financial inclusion and innovation in the region’s banking sector.

“This collective shift towards advanced infrastructure will play a critical role in the economic development of the DRC and neighbouring countries, fostering a more inclusive financial system and supporting broader socio-economic progress. We are proud to support Sofibanque in their journey towards digital transformation and look forward to welcoming other local and pan Africa banks” said Mohammed Bouhelal, managing director of OADC Texaf Kinshasa.

Henry Wazne, managing director and CEO of Sofibanque, added,

“Our decision to partner with OADC Texaf Digital – Kinshasa reflects our commitment to offering the best possible service to our customers. The facility’s advanced infrastructure will enhance the availability of our services, allowing us to meet the growing demands of the market and support our long-term digital strategy. This partnership is a key step in our journey towards a more robust and agile IT environment that supports both our customers and the broader financial ecosystem in the DRC.”