Airtel Zambia has partnered with Mastercard to deepen its fintech push with the launch of the Airtel Money Global Pay Virtual Card.
Airtel Money country director Andrew Chuma stated that the online game-changer would enable millions of Zambians to trade globally and access new digital opportunities in line with the government’s financial inclusion goals.
The telecoms titan underlined that the innovation also marks another major milestone in expanding financial inclusion and empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to trade across borders.
The Global Pay Virtual Card allows Airtel Money customers to make secure international and local payments directly from their mobile phones, without the need for a traditional bank account.
Furthermore, it puts power in the hands of Zambians by enabling them to shop, pay, and subscribe to global platforms such as Amazon, Netflix, and Alibaba, all in real time and from the convenience of their devices.
Chuma described the initiative as a gateway for Zambian entrepreneurs to reach the world.
“Through Mastercard, we are giving our customers, especially small businesses, the power to transact beyond borders,” he said.
Elias Mubanga, Zambia’s minister of small and medium enterprise development, who also attended the official launch in Lusaka, commended Mastercard and Airtel for their continued support to SMEs and financial inclusion.
“This innovation empowers SMEs to expand their markets and participate in the global market. It aligns perfectly with our government’s vision under the Eighth National Development Plan to drive digital transformation and financial inclusion,” he said.
The re-launch further reinforces the telecoms giant’s growing influence in Africa’s digital financial ecosystem.
Airtel Africa, the continent’s second-largest telecom operator with over 150 million subscribers across 14 markets, continues to deepen its presence through digital solutions that blend connectivity with commerce.
In Zambia alone, the firm serves more than 8 million subscribers, holding a strong market position as one of the country’s leading mobile network operators.
The initiative builds on the company’s broader digital inclusion agenda, including innovations such as Airtel Money merchant payments, micro-loan services for SMEs, and data-driven business support tools that help small businesses manage transactions efficiently.
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