Tech

MANSA partners Bitmama to enhance cross-border payments through virtual crypto cards across Africa

Published

3 months ago

September 5, 2024

Africa’s decentralised finance (DeFi) platform specialising in cross-border payments and trade financing, MANSA has sealed a partnership deal with blockchain payment platform, Bitmama, aimed at improving cross-border payment accessibility across Africa.

Mouloukou Sanoh, CEO and Co-Founder of MANSA who announced the partnership at a press conference, noted that payment companies across Africa are faced with significant challenges in establishing cross-border payment services, where maintaining pre-funded accounts in multiple countries often poses an obstacle due to limited capital, stifling innovation and creating a liquidity gap, hence the need for such collaboration.

“Our collaboration with Bitmama marks a key milestone for MANSA,” said Sanoh.

“By providing the liquidity needed to pre-fund accounts, we’re enabling individuals and businesses to benefit from enhanced cross-border payment services. This partnership aligns with MANSA’s mission to close the liquidity gap that hampers entrepreneurs and businesses across Africa and other emerging markets.

“Bitmama, which enables individuals and businesses in over 18 countries to send and receive payments in various currencies, has built a platform to facilitate cross-border settlements but requires liquidity in each serviced country.”

He added that through the partnership, MANSA will provide Bitmama with the necessary liquidity to pre-fund accounts across these 18 countries, thereby expanding payment capabilities for consumers and supporting business trade across borders in Africa.

MANSA which was launched in 2023, was created to address the significant funding gap in emerging markets, offering innovative liquidity solutions that support growth and foster financial inclusion in these regions, and has expanded rapidly, serving key markets across Africa and working closely with some of the biggest liquidity providers in the DeFi ecosystem.

Bitmama, on the other had, was founded in 2017 as a P2P digital currency exchange and has since grown into one of Africa’s leading and most secure payment platforms, enabling individuals to transact with virtual cards as well as trade and manage cryptocurrencies and digital assets safely and conveniently.

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Tech

Kenya’s startup BuuPass partners with GiftPesa to launch digital travel vouchers

Published

22 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenyan digital ticketing and transportation management solutions startup, BuuPass, has entered into a partnership with fintech company, GiftPesa, to introduce digital travel vouchers ahead of the holiday season.

In a statement by BuuPass cofounder and CEO, Sonia Kabra, the move will offer a more flexible and convenient way for Kenyans to manage and gift travel arrangements during the bustling holiday period.

“We’ve noticed a growing demand for digital solutions in the travel industry, especially during peak periods like the holiday season,” said Kabra.

“This partnership with GiftPesa enhances the travel experience for our customers, offering them a convenient way to send travel tickets as gifts and have a safety net for unconfirmed travel dates.

“Unlike traditional paper vouchers that can expire or get lost, GiftPesa vouchers are valid for 12 months and can be redeemed in parts at over 3,000 outlets across the country.

“This flexibility allows recipients to use the vouchers for multiple trips or select their preferred destination, making travel more accessible,” she added.

Founded in 2016 by Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, BuuPass is a leading B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book travel tickets via web, app, or USSD, while its SaaS platform helps bus operators manage their operations, inventory, and sales.

GiftPesa, on the other hand, is a fintech startup that provides businesses and individuals with a platform for creating digital vouchers.

The partnership between the two companies will introduce digital travel vouchers, helping users manage and gift travel arrangements during the bustling holiday period.

Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

3 days ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and The Gambia are in the process of launching free roaming services that will enhance a West African connectivity.

The plan which is a joint initiative of the Ghana Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and The Gambian National Communications Authority (NCA) will see mobile users in both countries avoiding extra charges for calls, texts, and data, which in turn, is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic integration across borders.

The collaboration, according to a joint statement by the two bodies, aligns with the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) broader push for seamless regional communication.

“Ghana and The Gambia are forging new paths in West Africa’s digital landscape, implementing a free-roaming initiative,” the statement said.

“This move strengthens regional connectivity while highlighting the role of technological collaboration in fostering economic integration. The initiative enables mobile users travelling between the two nations to make calls, send messages, and use data services without additional roaming fees.”

It further noted that by reducing these costs, the program aligns with the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, which seeks to eliminate barriers to communication across member states.

“It is a boost for trade and travel as the free roaming plan is expected to spur economic activities by streamlining cross-border communication.

“Businesses and individuals travelling between Ghana and The Gambia can now stay connected without worrying about exorbitant charges, facilitating smoother transactions and personal interactions. The initiative is also expected to attract more tourists by ensuring seamless digital access for visitors.

“This collaboration marks another milestone in Ghana’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity, following Ghana’s successful implementation of similar agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, with talks of possible roaming partnerships with Liberia.

“By focusing on digital integration, Ghana and The Gambia demonstrate the power of technology to bridge gaps between countries. This step also serves as a model for other West African nations to join the free-roaming framework, contributing to the larger goal of a connected and economically integrated region,” it added.