Visa International and BCP International (BCPI), a division of the pan-African Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) Group, have formed a strategic alliance to revolutionise the Sub-Saharan African payment landscape.

The collaboration, announced on December 12, represents a critical turning point in the growth strategy of BCP Group, which has 16 banking subsidiaries spread throughout 14 Sub-Saharan African nations.

BCP Group companies, such as the Banque Atlantique network, BIA Niger, BICEC in Cameroon, BCI in Congo, BMOI in Madagascar, and BCP Bank Mauritius, will be able to offer more services thanks to the partnership.

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Expanding the selection of payment cards and introducing cutting-edge services like digital payments and e-commerce solutions that are especially suited to the needs of the local populace will be the main goals of the cooperation.

Abdeslam Bennani, Director General of BCPI, emphasized the partnership’s strategic importance, stating: “This partnership marks a decisive step in our growth and innovation strategy. It illustrates our commitment to promoting access to financial services in Africa while offering innovative solutions perfectly adapted to the specific needs of our clients.”

Visa’s advanced fraud prevention technology to ensure secure and reliable payment solutions

Visa’s provision of cutting-edge fraud protection technology is a crucial element of the collaboration, guaranteeing safe and dependable payment solutions.

“At VISA, we deeply believe in the power of digital payments to transform the lives of people and businesses across the world,” said Aida Diarra, Senior Vice President of Visa Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the connection of the two organisations’ aims.

The collaboration tackles the more general issue of financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa in addition to enhancing financial services.

This program seeks to act as a catalyst for sustainable development throughout the continent, where a sizable section of the populace is still shut out of traditional financial systems, by making banking services more accessible and encouraging innovation.

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BCPI’s role in the partnership 

This agreement is in line with BCPI’s objective to assist BCP Group’s operations in Sub-Saharan Africa in a number of industries, such as fintech, banking, investment banking, and insurance firms.

To create competitive advantages for both individual and corporate clients, the organisation concentrates on enhancing its local presence, diversifying its product offerings, and forming alliances with other group businesses.

Visa is a global leader in digital payments that facilitates transactions between customers, merchants, financial institutions, and government agencies in more than 200 countries and territories.

It is listed on the NYSE under the symbol V. The implementation of safe and effective payment solutions throughout BCP’s African network will be greatly aided by the company’s technological infrastructure and fraud prevention expertise.

Despite obstacles including the need to harmonise African legislative and regulatory frameworks pertaining to financial technologies and payments, this strategic partnership is a major step towards modernising payment systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.

By increasing local communities’ access to digital payment options, both organisations want to support equitable and sustainable economic growth throughout the continent.