Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has announced that Congolese music superstar Fally Ipupa is its official Brand Ambassador for Visa Pay. The partnership aims to make digital payments more accessible, convenient, and relevant to millions of consumers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This collaboration brings together one of Africa's most influential cultural icons and a global payments leader to support the Central Bank's 2027 cashless agenda.
Visa Pay, launched in the DRC in September 2025, is an interoperable payments and ecommerce solution that enables consumers to pay, get paid, and move money through a dedicated mobile app. The app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, as well as directly within the mobile applications of participating banks, mobile operators, and fintechs. Through this partnership, Fally Ipupa will champion Visa Pay through consumer campaigns, exclusive digital content, public appearances, and community engagement initiatives.
The partnership reflects Visa's ambition to engage more closely with the continent's music and creative industries, and to support the growing role of creators and entrepreneurs in Africa's digital economy. By connecting Visa Pay with one of Africa's leading cultural voices, Visa aims to inspire more consumers to embrace the benefits of digital payments. Fally Ipupa's influence extends beyond music, connecting generations, uplifting communities, and audiences across Africa and the diaspora.
Visa Pay is currently available through several financial institutions, including Access Bank, Sofibanque, Solidaire Banque, and UBA. Consumers can open an account and receive a free digital Visa card through these participating financial institutions on the Visa Pay app. Trust Merchant Bank Pepele customers can also access Visa Pay directly within the Pepele app. Several other financial institutions are currently integrating the platform, reinforcing ecosystem-wide adoption and accelerating the Central Bank's 2027 ambitions.
The solution allows consumers to use their Visa Pay digital card to pay for goods and services online. Consumers can also send money to another Visa Pay user using a registered mobile number, without having to enter bank account details. With an eligible phone, consumers can tap to pay at contactless payment terminals, making in-store payments faster and removing the need to carry cash or present a physical card.
Sophie Kafuti, Managing Director of Visa in DR Congo, said Fally Ipupa embodies innovation, ambition, and progress, values that are deeply aligned with Visa's mission. She stated that the partnership is rooted not only in Fally Ipupa's reach but also in the shared belief that creativity and technology can open new opportunities. Fally Ipupa expressed his pride in partnering with Visa Pay, hoping to encourage more Congolese consumers to embrace the digital economy and participate in the future with confidence.
The announcement comes as Visa continues to invest in innovative solutions that empower consumers, merchants, mobile operators, and financial institutions across Africa. By combining payment technology with cultural relevance and trusted voices, Visa Pay aims to make digital payments more accessible and meaningful in consumers' everyday lives. The partnership between Visa and Fally Ipupa is expected to drive financial inclusion and digital payments adoption in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Key points
- Fally Ipupa partners with Visa as brand ambassador for Visa Pay to promote digital payments in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The partnership aims to support the Central Bank's 2027 cashless agenda and make digital payments more accessible and convenient.
- Visa Pay is an interoperable payments and ecommerce solution that enables consumers to pay, get paid, and move money through a dedicated mobile app.
