Consumers of Ecobank and MasterCard can now use their MasterCard prepaid, debit, and credit cards at Ecobank’s automated teller machines (ATMs) and Point of Sale (POS) terminals in 28 African countries, boosting card acceptance on the continent.
The initiative, a culmination of the multi-country licensing agreement signed by MasterCard and Ecobank in January 2014, gives MasterCard cardholders access to more than 2,500 ATMs and allows them to pay for goods and services in over 20,000 shops, hotels, restaurants and other outlets.
“Expanding MasterCard’s acceptance in 28 countries across Ecobank’s network is a significant milestone for us as we work together to accelerate the adoption of electronic payments and create a cashless society in Africa,” said Daniel Monehin, MasterCard Division President (Sub-Saharan Africa).
“Through this partnership, we have combined MasterCard’s global payment technology with Ecobank’s unrivalled pan-African footprint to give our cardholders more convenient, secure and reliable ways to pay.”
Ecobank subsidiaries now accept MasterCard cards in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
“This partnership forms part of our broader retail banking strategy of providing Ecobank customers with enhanced service levels, which exceed their expectations,” explained Patrick Akinwuntan, Ecobank’s Group Executive, Head of Domestic Bank.
“Our unique platform gives our customers easy access to their Ecobank accounts when travelling, be it on business or for pleasure, without the need for carrying cash.”
The combination of a rapidly expanding middle class and steadily improving financial literacy, supported by robust technology, is increasing the appetite for card usage in Africa.
Governments are driving the conversion from cash to electronic payments as they too realise the benefits of a cashless society, namely increased transparency, cost effectiveness, financial inclusion, foreign investment, and economic growth.
“The increased number of MasterCard acceptance locations in Africa means that more cardholders and merchants will be introduced to the security and convenience of electronic payments, while enjoying protection from the risks and costs associated with cash.
“This is especially important in many African countries where cash has been the prevalent or only payment option,” Monehin added.
MasterCard and Ecobank are also exploring joint business development opportunities across West, Central, East and Southern Africa and will soon add a further four African markets to those already accepting MasterCard cards, namely Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe and South Sudan.
Under the licensing agreement, the pan-African bank will also distribute MasterCard products through its nearly 1,300 branches, giving Ecobank’s customers access to millions of MasterCard acceptance points in over 210 countries worldwide.
MasterCard is a technology company in the global payments industry.
“We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories.
“MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone,” Monehin said.
