Mark Elliott, division president for Africa at Mastercard together with Folasade Femi-Lawal, country manager and area business head, West Africa, Mastercard.

Mastercard has expanded its operations in West Africa by opening its first office in Ghana, in its capital Accra.

According to the multinational payments network company, the expansion aims to bolster Ghana’s digital economy and support financial inclusion.

Mastercard says Ghana offers fertile ground for the company to enhance its geographical presence in West Africa, citing the country’s growth in key sectors like agriculture, mining and digital infrastructure.

In addition to the new office, Mastercard has partnered with several companies including Kalabash, KaiOS, Boost, Smile ID, Access Bank and Fidelity Bank to enhance cross-border payment solutions, empower local fintechs and enhance access to digital services for underserved communities.

“Our growth strategy for West Africa is ambitious, and establishing a formal presence here allows us to better serve the specific needs of our customers. We are eager to leverage our global expertise and innovative capabilities to introduce advanced payment technologies in this market,” commented Mark Elliott, division president for Africa at Mastercard.

For Folasade Femi-Lawal, country manager and area business head, West Africa, Mastercard, the expansion is about growing the local economy.

She says: “We are committed to attracting and nurturing top talent and fostering an ecosystem that aims to contribute positively to the local economy and technological advancement.”