Vodacom Tanzania Enables Cross-Border M-Pesa Payments to China and Dubai
Vodacom Tanzania has introduced a new international payments service for its M-Pesa platform. The M-Pesa Global Payment feature enables over 22 million users in Tanzania to pay merchants abroad directly from their mobile phones. This development aims to streamline cross-border commerce for individuals and businesses.
Forging a Connected Payments Ecosystem
Through strategic partnerships, Vodacom is weaving M-Pesa into the global payment’s fabric. The service collaborates with Visa, the Chinese platform Alipay, and Middle-Eastern providers Network International and Magnati. Furthermore, a partnership with MTN Uganda enables direct payments to merchants using its MoMo wallets. Epimack Mbeteni, M-Pesa Director at Vodacom Tanzania, stated that these alliances create a robust digital payments network. He emphasized that the goal is to let people and businesses transact across borders as easily, securely, and affordably as they do locally.
A central feature of this expansion is M-Pesa Tap & Pay. This innovation uses Visa’s tokenization technology to generate a virtual Visa card within the M-Pesa app. Consequently, users can make contactless payments globally by simply tapping their phones at any Visa-enabled terminal. Victor Makere, Visa Country Manager for Tanzania, said this development supports Tanzania’s shift toward a fully digital economy. He added that it empowers consumers and businesses with modern payment methods.
Opening Crucial Trade Corridors for SMEs
The initiative specifically targets key trade corridors that have traditionally been challenging. For instance, Tanzanian importers can now pay Chinese merchants directly via Alipay. This link is crucial, especially since Tanzania imported goods worth approximately $862 million from China in September 2025. Similarly, the connection with MTN Uganda simplifies settlements for traders operating between Tanzania and Uganda.
These new digital pathways address a persistent issue for East African SMEs. Previously, cross-border payments were often slow, expensive, and fragmented. Many traders had to rely on cash or high-fee intermediaries. By leveraging M-Pesa’s established role in Tanzania’s domestic economy, Vodacom offers a regulated and familiar alternative for international transactions. This approach ultimately reduces business costs and provides greater access to the global digital marketplace.
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