Network International (Network) has signed another partnership agreement in recent weeks, this time with Zambian fintech and neobank Lupiya, after being named a payments technology partner to introduce a new debit card.

The agreement includes the launch of an e-commerce-enabled debit card, together with 3D secure and tokenisation. 

According to Network, this will allow Lupiya diversify its value proposition to include not only easier lending, but also digital payments to its existing and growing new customer base. 

This is the latest Network digital payments partnership on the continent, and the business contends it is helping the continent improve its financial inclusion initiatives. 

The Dubai-based Network has signed agreements in Rwanda, Kenya, and Egypt, and most recently expanded into Francophone Africa with an arrangement with Orabank to support its digital transformation in Central and West Africa.

Network announced the Lupiya partnership today, saying while Zambia has made significant progress in closing the financial inclusion gap, one-third of the population remains excluded. 

Zambia government statistics show that there is a persistent gender finance gap, with women having difficulty accessing financial services from regulated providers.

Network plans to provide Lupiya with a comprehensive suite of card payment processing solutions to enable it capitalise on more local opportunities for digital payments growth.

“These will cover the entire lifecycle of a card payment, from issuance to settlement and even dispute resolution, with a focus on both digital and physical payment channels,” says the company.

“Network’s partnership with Lupiya, our newest fintech customer in Zambia, underscores our ability to enable digital financial service providers in all consumer segments and verticals. It further solidifies our ambition to expand our client portfolio, encompassing diverse financial institutions across the region,” comments Dr Reda Helal, managing director and co-head of processing – Africa, Network International. 

 He adds: “This new partnership marks a significant milestone for our company in Zambia and opens new avenues for growth and innovation.

“The growing adoption in cloud technologies has perfectly primed both fintech and traditional financial institutions to turbo charge digital innovation.

“Working with managed service providers, like us, allows both old and new institutions to quickly and simply deliver new products and services to an increasingly digitally savvy customer.”

Muchu Kaingu, CEO of Lupiya Pay, sees the relationship with Network International as a big step forward in providing secure, accessible, and innovative digital banking solutions.

He says: “By launching an e-commerce enabled debit card with 3D Secure and tokenization, we are empowering individuals and businesses to participate in the digital economy more effectively.”

Nazo Mhango, Network International country manager for Zambia, adds: “Whether it’s a decades-old traditional bank, a nimble fintech like Lupiya, a retailer, or an MNO, delivering world-class digital payments, it starts with choosing the right PaaS partner. Network is proud to play a strategic role in the economic growth and financial inclusion in Africa.”