Visa, a global digital payments leader, has officially opened a new office in Addis Ababa. While the company has maintained a presence in Ethiopia for years, the new location marks a shift toward deeper local engagement, stronger partnerships, and closer collaboration within the market.
Visa’s operations in Ethiopia and Eastern Africa have grown rapidly over the past three years, driven by an expanded team, stronger regional capabilities, and increased strategic focus.
The Addis Ababa office now acts as a regional hub serving six Eastern African markets, positioning Visa closer to its clients and partners and enabling more direct, day-to-day interaction. The space is designed to foster engagement with regulators, banks, fintech innovators, and the wider business community, supporting the continued advancement of secure and inclusive digital payments.
The launch event drew senior leaders from across the financial ecosystem, including regulators, bank executives, and key partners.
Adding a creative touch, the office features a striking FIFA World Cup-inspired mural by Ethiopian artist Efrata Birhanu. Created through Visa’s global Visa, FIFA Illustrator Program, the piece highlights football’s power to unite while celebrating Ethiopian identity and artistic expression. The artwork also underscores Visa’s support for the creator economy and its dedication to uplifting artists through global platforms.
“While Visa has been present in Ethiopia for several years, opening this new office location marks an important next phase in how we engage with the market,” said Yared Endale, Head of Eastern Africa at Visa. “Having a refreshed, purpose-built space allows us to work more closely with regulators, banks, fintechs, and partners, while signalling our long-term commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s digital payments ecosystem and creative economy as it continues to evolve.”
The mural unveiling also highlights the role of digital payments in helping artists and creators reach wider audiences, receive secure payments, and build sustainable livelihoods, in line with Visa’s broader mission to drive participation in the global digital economy.
“This new office location in Addis Ababa reflects the continued strengthening of Visa’s footprint across the region,” commented Michael Berner, Head of Southern and Eastern Africa at Visa. “Ethiopia joins Kenya and Tanzania as one of our key physical hubs in East Africa. While Visa has operated in Ethiopia for some time, investing in this new space reinforces our belief in the market’s potential and our intention to stay close to clients, partners, and regulators. As we continue to grow, we expect to expand our presence further across the region this year.”
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