Senegal turns to Visa for digital payments expertise under two-year transformation deal
Visa has signed a two-year digital transformation partnership with Senegal’s Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Affairs, targeting the expansion of digital payments, financial innovation and cybersecurity as the West African country accelerates its digital development agenda.
The agreement will be formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and will create a framework for cooperation between the two parties. The focus will be on identifying practical digital solutions that can improve public service delivery and widen access to financial services.
The partnership will look at the use of digital payments for government transactions, including payments by individuals to government agencies (P2G) and government disbursements to individuals (G2P). These initiatives could make it easier for citizens to pay for public services and receive government payments through digital channels.
In addition to payments, the partnership will also involve knowledge exchange on cybersecurity, financial innovation and regulatory issues. The two sides will also explore opportunities for the implementation of digital solutions that respond to Senegal’s national priorities and to the everyday needs of its citizens.
It is the first of its kind between Visa and a government institution in Senegal, and provides a structured platform for cooperation and technical expertise sharing between the public and private sectors.
Senegal’s Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Affairs, Mr. Samba Diouf, said the agreement would help translate the country’s digital ambitions into practical solutions.
“This strategic partnership with Visa marks a decisive step forward in our efforts to accelerate the New Deal Technologique. Now is the time for action: we must be fully operational and move from intent to tangible results by deploying practical, secure and inclusive solutions that directly address the everyday needs of Senegalese citizens.”
For Visa, the collaboration presents an opportunity to contribute its payments expertise to Senegal’s evolving digital financial ecosystem while supporting the development of services that make digital transactions more accessible.
Aminata Kane, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for Visa Western and Central Africa, said the company would work with the ministry to identify opportunities that support access to digital services and strengthen the country’s payments landscape.
“We are proud to bring Visa’s expertise to bear in support of Senegal’s ambitions. Together with the Ministry, we aim to identify tangible opportunities to facilitate access to digital services and support the long-term development of the payments ecosystem in Senegal.”
The partnership comes as Senegal advances its New Deal Technologique, a national digital transformation agenda aimed at strengthening the country’s digital capabilities and expanding the role of technology across different sectors.
Through the two-year framework, Visa and the ministry will seek to develop initiatives suited to local conditions, with digital payments and secure financial services expected to form a central part of the discussions. The agreement provides a basis for identifying potential projects, although specific implementation timelines and individual initiatives have yet to be announced.
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