In a move to enhance financial inclusion and drive digital payments in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Visa has announced Congolese music icon Fally Ipupa as its Visa Pay brand ambassador. The partnership was unveiled during a media event in Kinshasa on September 21, 2026. This collaboration aims to leverage Ipupa's influence to promote digital payments as the country moves towards a cashless economy by 2027.
The Central Bank of the DRC has set a target to become a cashless economy by 2027, and Visa's partnership with Ipupa is seen as a strategic move to achieve this goal. Visa Pay, launched in the DRC in September 2025, offers an interoperable mobile app for payments, money transfers, and e-commerce. The app is available on Apple and Google stores and is integrated with participating banks and fintechs, including Access Bank, Sofibanque, Solidaire Banque, and UBA.
Through the Visa Pay app, users can open an account and receive a free digital Visa card, while Trust Merchant Bank Pepele customers can access Visa Pay within the Pepele app. The service allows for online payments with a digital card, peer-to-peer transfers using a registered mobile number, and contactless tap-to-pay at terminals for in-store purchases. This move is expected to increase financial inclusion and make digital payments more accessible to the Congolese population.
Visa's Managing Director for the DRC, Sophie Kafuti, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating that it leverages Ipupa's cross-generational reach to inspire confidence in digital payments. Ipupa expressed his pride in promoting the platform, hoping to encourage more Congolese consumers to join the digital economy and benefit from new opportunities. The partnership is seen as a milestone for financial inclusion, linking the popular artist's influence with Visa's push to make digital payments more accessible.
The partnership will feature consumer campaigns, exclusive digital content, and public appearances by Ipupa to drive awareness and adoption across the DRC. Visa indicated that additional financial institutions are integrating Visa Pay, expanding the ecosystem and supporting the Central Bank's 2027 cashless objectives. This move is expected to increase the adoption of digital payments in the country and promote financial inclusion.
Fally Ipupa is a renowned Congolese musician with a significant following in the region. His involvement with Visa Pay is expected to increase awareness and adoption of the platform among the Congolese population. The partnership is seen as a strategic move to promote digital payments and financial inclusion in the DRC.
The collaboration between Visa and Ipupa is a significant step towards achieving the Central Bank's goal of a cashless economy by 2027. With the expansion of Visa Pay to more financial institutions and the promotion of the platform through Ipupa's influence, Visa aims to increase digital payments and promote financial inclusion in the DRC.
Key points
- Visa names Fally Ipupa as brand ambassador for Visa Pay in DRC to boost digital payments.
- The partnership aims to promote financial inclusion and drive digital payments in the DRC.
- The DRC aims to become a cashless economy by 2027, and Visa's partnership with Ipupa is seen as a strategic move to achieve this goal.
