Multinational payment card services corporation, Visa, has announced a joint partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve access to open, secure, and inclusive digital government systems across the world.
Following the recent launch of USAID’s Digital Policy, the duo plan to work together for five years, focusing on developing programmes to assist governments in creating and adopting platforms that connect their constituents with local services.
The partnership aims to promote economic development and growth in select markets by combining capabilities and expertise in digital government systems, digital payments and support for constituents and SMEs.
Initial regions of focus will be Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the Caucasus with scope to expand further over the course of the partnership.
Global Head of New Flows, Commercial and Money Movement Solutions Chris Newkirk said digital government systems can help enhance transparency and efficiency between communities and governments, fostering a more favourable environment for entrepreneurs and economic development.
“Through shared interests and goals, Visa and USAID will empower communities with digital and financial literacy and support access to digital systems that will help drive financial inclusion for everyone, everywhere,” Newkirk said.
USAID’s Chief Digital Development Officer and Director of USAID’s Technology Division Christopher Burns added that digital development works best when governments and the private sector intentionally work together toward a shared vision of an inclusive digital future.
“We look forward to deepening our partnership with Visa, as we jointly work to drive digital financial inclusion for traditionally underserved consumers and strengthen digital public infrastructure across emerging markets,” Burns said.
This work builds on a long-standing relationship between Visa, Visa Foundation, and USAID to drive digitisation and financial inclusion globally.
Together, Visa and USAID aim to continue to help improve livelihoods, bolster economic opportunities, and close the gender digital divide in developing markets.
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