Visa and Safaricom Step Up Awareness of M-Pesa GlobalPay Virtual Visa Card

Visa and Safaricom are increasing awareness of the M-Pesa GlobalPay Virtual Visa Card, through football-themed consumer campaigns to demonstrate how the service enables secure international online transactions for Kenyans.

The companies recently concluded their “Game Iko On” campaign with a semi-final football watch party attended by customers, business partners and football fans. The event capped several weeks of consumer engagement activities aimed at raising awareness of the virtual payment card, which allows M-Pesa users to pay for goods and services on international online platforms directly from their mobile wallets.

The campaign included activations at shopping malls across Nairobi, where consumers were shown how to activate and use the M-Pesa GlobalPay Virtual Visa Card. According to the companies, the initiative reached thousands of people while promoting the benefits of cashless payments, including convenience, security and access to global online merchants.

Visa East Africa Vice President and General Manager Chad Pollock said football provided an effective platform for connecting with consumers while introducing digital financial products.

“Football has a unique ability to bring people together, and through the Game Iko On campaign we have been able to combine that passion with practical payment solutions that empower consumers. Our collaboration is helping more Kenyans embrace secure and seamless digital payments while creating meaningful experiences around one of the world’s biggest sporting events,” Pollock said.

The M-Pesa GlobalPay Virtual Visa Card is a joint product developed by both Visa and Safaricom that enables users to make secure international online payments without requiring a traditional bank card. Transactions are processed through Visa’s global payments network while funds are drawn directly from a customer’s M-Pesa wallet.

Additionally, the collaboration comes as Kenya’s digital payments ecosystem continues to expand, with more consumers shopping online and businesses seeking faster and more secure payment options for cross-border transactions.

Safaricom Chief Financial Services Officer Esther Waititu said the collaboration extends beyond sports marketing, positioning digital financial services at the centre of everyday consumer experiences.

“Today’s FIFA World Cup watch party is more than an opportunity for football fans to come together and enjoy a world-class sporting spectacle. It reflects our shared commitment with Visa to create memorable customer experiences while showcasing the convenience and value of digital payments,” she said.

She added that products such as MyOneApp and M-Pesa GlobalPay are designed to give individuals and businesses easier access to digital payment services while supporting participation in the broader digital economy.

Customers can activate the M-Pesa GlobalPay Virtual Visa Card through the MyOneApp, enabling them to make secure payments on international websites directly from their M-Pesa accounts.

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