By Business Insider Reporter
Vodacom Tanzania has taken a decisive step in transforming the country’s digital economy with the launch of M-Pesa Global Payment, a suite of cross-border payment solutions designed to support international trade, travel, and financial inclusion. The move positions Tanzania as a regional leader in mobile-enabled global transactions – an increasingly critical capability as East Africa’s economies become more interconnected.
Unveiled in Dar es Salaam, the new platform allows customers to make seamless international payments directly from their mobile phones. In partnership with global giants VISA, Alipay, Network International, Magnati, Thunes, TerraPay, and MTN Uganda, the service extends M-Pesa’s reach into some of the world’s busiest commercial hubs.
Customers can now Tap & Pay worldwide via a tokenised M-Pesa–VISA card, pay Chinese merchants through Alipay, transact in Dubai with TerraPay-enabled merchants, and pay Ugandan businesses directly into MTN MoMo wallets. All these functions are accessible through the M-Pesa menu or the M-Pesa Super App.
For Tanzania’s traders, livestock exporters, online merchants, SMEs and frequent travellers, the platform removes long-standing barriers – such as slow settlement times, costly bank transfers, and limited access to international financial services.
“M-Pesa’s purpose has always been about deepening financial inclusion,” said Epimack Mbeteni, M-Pesa Director at Vodacom Tanzania. “By working with global partners, we are enabling people and businesses to transact across borders with the same ease as they do locally—securely, instantly and affordably. We are opening new trade corridors and lowering the cost of doing business.”
Africa’s first mobile Tap & Pay solution with VISA
The centrepiece of the launch is the M-Pesa Tap&Pay Solution, the first of its kind in Africa. The VISA-powered service allows users to tap their phone to pay at any VISA-accepting terminal globally.
“Tokenisation offers an extra layer of safety,” explained Victor Makere, Visa Country Manager for Tanzania. “This innovation supports Tanzania’s transition toward a fully digital payments ecosystem, giving consumers and businesses more modern ways to pay.”
A gateway to China, Dubai and East Africa
China remains one of Tanzania’s most important trading partners, particularly for SMEs sourcing stock, machinery, and electronics. Through Thunes’ global network, M-Pesa customers can now pay Chinese merchants inside the Alipay ecosystem instantly.
“Digitising cross-border payments is a game-changer,” said Andrew Stewart, Thunes’ Chief Revenue Officer. “This new level of interoperability opens new avenues for international trade.”
For traders who frequent Dubai – one of East Africa’s fastest growing re-export markets – TerraPay enables payments to select merchants through its global network.
“Our partnership expands secure digital commerce opportunities for Tanzanians doing business in Dubai,” said Willie Kanyeki, TerraPay’s Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Regionally, M-Pesa now links directly with MTN Uganda’s MoMo platform, simplifying payments for cross-border traders who move goods daily between Tanzania and Uganda.
“This partnership marks a major step toward seamless regional trade,” said Richard Yego, Director of MTN Mobile Money Uganda.
Fuel for Tanzania’s digital economy
Tanzania’s mobile money market – one of the most active in Africa – continues to underpin entrepreneurship, transport, agriculture and retail. With the country pushing to formalise SME operations and expand non-cash transactions, M-Pesa Global Payment arrives at a pivotal moment.
By enabling Tanzanian businesses to plug directly into global marketplaces, Vodacom is not only strengthening the digital economy but also enhancing the country’s competitiveness in international trade. As M-Pesa evolves from a domestic payments tool into a global financial platform, Vodacom says its mission remains unchanged: to widen financial inclusion, reduce transaction costs, and empower businesses and consumers through technology.
