Telecoms and media company, Millicom, has joined forces with Kalixa to launch a payments service provider that will operate in Africa and Latin America.

Kalixa is a payments group that provides merchants of all sizes with omni-channel payments from one supplier.

In a press statement it was revealed that by partnering the two firms aim to offer payment acceptance services for both businesses and consumers, including payment gateway and point of sale solutions, as well as 1-click payment and eWallet provision for online customers.

The joint venture is also expected to cover the end-to-end payment ecosystem and will offer multi-device and cross-platform services, the statement reads.

Millicom’s chief executive officer and president, Hans-Holger Albrecht said, “Working with Kalixa will enable us to offer a complete digital payments service in markets where e-commerce is growing rapidly and where we already have a strong presence. It is a great combination of our respective expertise.”       

Ed Chandler, chief executive officer of Kalixa added, “As developing markets, Latin America & Africa represent a combined $1.78 trillion opportunity for the payments industry. Our partnership with Millicom is the first step in making payments easier for merchants and consumers in these regions by offering a connected service with the full spectrum of payment services being offered under one roof..."

The initial phase of the joint venture is expected to begin in the second half of 2014.

Colombia and Brazil have been identified as the first countries where the service is planned to commence.