Mastercard has expanded its acceptance network across Africa by 45 per cent in 2025, significantly increasing access to digital payments for millions of consumers and small businesses across the continent.
The expansion comes amid accelerated investment in digital infrastructure, new market entries, and partnerships aimed at supporting Africa’s growing digital payments economy, projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030.
Over the past two years, the company has opened new offices in Ghana, Uganda and Mauritius, while expanding its workforce across the continent to strengthen local delivery of payment solutions tailored to African markets.
The growth in acceptance is expected to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of Africa’s economy, by improving their ability to accept digital payments, access financial services and participate in cross-border trade.
In Nigeria, Mastercard-backed collaborations with financial institutions have enabled QR-based payment solutions that support over 1.8 million SMEs and gig workers, while dollar-denominated card solutions are helping more than 50,000 businesses engage in international trade.
Similar initiatives have been rolled out across Kenya, Tanzania and Mauritius, collectively supporting over 200,000 SMEs with digital tools that enhance payment efficiency and business operations. In Morocco, a digital marketplace developed in partnership with local institutions is providing market access to over two million artisans.
Beyond payments, Mastercard is also deploying digital identity and virtual card technologies to improve transaction security and trust, particularly for small businesses operating online.
The expansion aligns with rising consumer spending across key African markets, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco, where demand for digital payment solutions continues to grow alongside e-commerce and informal sector digitization.
As digital payments adoption deepens, analysts say broader access to secure and affordable payment infrastructure will be critical to improving SME resilience, financial inclusion, and participation in Africa’s evolving digital economy.
Mastercard said it plans to continue expanding its footprint across Africa in 2026, with further investments in locally relevant digital solutions aimed at supporting small businesses and underserved communities.
