BankservAfrica and UnionPay International join forces to boost e-commerce in Africa

By Gloria Methri

BankservAfrica and UnionPay International (UPI) have joined forces to facilitate e-commerce transactions for UPI cardholders across Africa. The companies will introduce UPI e-commerce acceptance in several countries across the continent.

“As the largest automated payments clearing house in Africa, responsible for clearing and processing billions of low-value card, ATM and account-to-account transactions annually, BankservAfrica is well-positioned to serve Africa’s growing e-commerce market regionally and internationally,” he said Stephen Linnell, CEO of BankservAfrica.

“African markets have always been key and valued by UnionPay. The new e-commerce acceptance project offers huge opportunities for existing UnionPay cardholders, giving African merchants expanded exposure to a global audience,” he said Asad Burney, Director of the African Region, UnionPay International.

In December 2023, UPI appointed BankservAfrica as its domestic land-based processor for affordable, accessible and innovative card payments in South Africa. UnionPay, currently operating in 50 countries in Africa, believes that this agreement will further expand its growing network, covering 183 countries worldwide.

BankservAfrica is an Automated Clearing House (ACH) that serves as a transaction link between many of Africa’s major payment institutions. It is the largest ACH on the continent and a key partner in the South African National Payment System.

UPI and BankservAfrica believe this strategic partnership puts them at the forefront of accelerating e-commerce growth across the continent. The International Trade Administration estimates that this rapid expansion will result in about 500 million people using e-commerce for everyday transactions by 2025.

“As the continent’s hyper-connected economy grows, BankservAfrica will continue to provide sustainable payment services for a digitally transformative future,” Linnell added. “We are excited about this partnership and its potential to promote digital commerce that drives economic development and facilitates everyday online payments.”