December 9, 2025
Tanzanian merchants and consumers
Credit: Vodacom Tanzania
VODACOM Tanzania has launched a sweeping expansion of its mobile money service, introducing M-Pesa Global Payment, a platform that allows Tanzanians to make seamless digital payments to merchants across the world.
The service, unveiled in partnership with other mobile money companies, enables users to tap and pay globally using a tokenised M-Pesa Visa card, pay merchants in China via Alipay, transact with selected merchants in Dubai, and pay directly into MTN MoMo wallets in Uganda – all through the M-Pesa menu or Super App.
Vodacom says the new system eliminates traditional banking hurdles for traders and consumers.
“We are enabling people and businesses to transact across borders with the same ease as they do locally,” said Epimack Mbeteni, M-Pesa Director at Vodacom Tanzania.
He added that the service would help reduce the cost of doing business and expand access to global markets for small enterprises.
A key feature is M-Pesa Tap & Pay, billed as the first mobile-based Visa tokenized payment solution of its kind in Africa.
Victor Makere, Visa’s Tanzania country manager, said the technology “allows millions of M-Pesa customers to make secure, contactless payments anywhere Visa is accepted”.
The launch also deepens M-Pesa’s footprint in Asia through Thunes’ global payment network, enabling Tanzanians to pay Chinese merchants within the Alipay ecosystem.
“Digitising cross-border payments is a game-changer,” said Andrew Stewart, Thunes’ Chief Revenue Officer.
Dubai merchant payments are supported through TerraPay, while MTN Uganda will facilitate payments directly into MoMo wallets, easing regional transactions for East African traders.
MTN Mobile Money Uganda Director Richard Yego called the partnership “a major stride toward seamless regional trade”.
Vodacom says the expansion strengthens M-Pesa’s role as a key driver of digital commerce in Tanzania, where mobile money adoption remains among Africa’s highest.
The company describes the move as part of its broader mission to build an inclusive digital economy.