Standard Bank Group and UnionPay International (UPI) have expanded UPI's e-commerce acceptance across nine African markets, enabling participating merchants to accept online payments from UPI cardholders.
The move builds on a collaboration established by the two companies in 2024 to provide businesses broader access to cross-border consumer demand.
Targeting online merchants in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the capability allows merchants to facilitate e-commerce transactions in local currency, US dollars, or both.
Bill Blackie, chief executive for business and commercial Banking at Standard Bank Group, commented: "African businesses are increasingly selling beyond their domestic markets and the ability to accept trusted international payment methods is becoming essential to that growth.
"By enabling UnionPay e-commerce acceptance across nine African markets, Standard Bank is helping merchants reduce payment friction, reach more customers and participate more effectively in cross-border digital commerce.”
He added: "This partnership reflects our commitment to using our African footprint and digital capabilities to unlock practical growth opportunities for businesses across the continent."
For Feng Chen, general manager of UnionPay International’s Africa Branch, the expanded collaboration will enable more merchants to accept UnionPay online, giving cardholders greater choice and convenience when transacting with African businesses.
“Together, we are supporting safer, simpler and more connected digital commerce across the region,” Chen said.
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