Africa Digest News

Visa and Onafriq are ushering in a new era of financial inclusion in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the launch of Visa Pay.

This mobile-first, cloud-native Payments-as-a-Service (PaaS) solution connects millions of mobile money users to global commerce.

Designed to bridge mobile money and card networks, Visa Pay targets the DRC’s 110 million-plus population, where less than 20% of adults have bank accounts (World Bank).

Its success, however, hinges on two critical factors: robust financial education for users and widespread merchant adoption.

Understanding Visa Pay and Its Potential

Visa Pay empowers both banked and unbanked Congolese to make seamless digital payments and account-to-account transfers.

Available as a standalone app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, or integrated into participating banks’ applications, Visa Pay supports transactions in both Congolese Francs (CDF) and US Dollars (USD).

Key features include:

• Interoperability with mobile money platforms like M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and Orange Money.
• Virtual cards for secure online shopping.
• Cash-in/cash-out functionality at banks and agents.
• Advanced fraud prevention to build trust.

Backed by Visa’s global expertise and Onafriq’s payments network spanning 43 African markets, the rollout is supported by eight local banks: Access Banque, BGFI, Equity Bank, FBN, Sofibanque, Solidaire Banque, TMB, and UBA.

Financial Education: The Cornerstone of Adoption

In a country where cash dominates and digital literacy is low, financial education is non-negotiable. Without it, even tech-savvy consumers may hesitate, while the unbanked risk being left behind.

Visa’s $1 million financial education programme, launched with the Financial Inclusion Fund, aims to bridge this gap.

The programme focuses on:

• Simplifying onboarding through tutorials and local-language resources.
• Building trust by educating users on fraud prevention and transaction security.
• Reaching the unbanked with community workshops targeting rural areas.

The Central Bank of Congo (BCC), under Governor André Wameso (appointed July 2025), is also encouraging digital CDF transactions to stabilise the local currency (Central Bank of Congo). Visa Pay’s education drive will complement these national efforts.

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Merchant Adoption: The Backbone of Scalability

Even with well-educated users, Visa Pay’s impact will remain limited without merchants adopting the system. SMEs, retailers, and informal vendors, who form the backbone of the DRC’s economy, must see clear value in Visa Pay.

Key incentives for merchants include:

• Low transaction fees compared to mobile money or cash.
• Seamless integration with APIs and POS systems.
• Increased sales opportunities via online payments and virtual cards.

Onafriq’s interoperability expertise is an asset, enabling merchants to accept payments from diverse channels. But adoption requires active training, technical support, and marketing to demonstrate real business value.

The Stakes for the DRC and Africa

The DRC, with its massive population and central African position, offers a unique testing ground for Visa Pay. Success here could create a blueprint for digital payments across Africa.

Potential impacts include:

• Boosting financial inclusion by empowering millions of unbanked citizens.
• Driving SME growth with secure, efficient payments integrated into global markets.
• Reducing cash dependency, supporting the BCC’s monetary stability goals.
• Setting a regional precedent for other cash-heavy African economies.

This launch builds on the DRCPass blockchain digital ID system (rolled out in June 2025 to 110 million citizens), signalling a broader transformation toward a digital-first economy. Together, these initiatives could position the DRC as a fintech hub for Central Africa.

Education + Merchants = Success

Visa Pay has the potential to transform payments in the DRC, but its long-term success depends on educating users and winning over merchants.

If Visa and Onafriq can deliver on both, the DRC may finally begin to shift from a cash-heavy economy to a cashless ecosystem, with ripple effects across Africa.

Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, climate change, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.