VisionFund Microfinance is widening its use of digital finance tools after signing an agreement with fintech firm SantimPay to roll out cashless payment services to its 1.9 million customers nationwide.

The partnership will allow VisionFund clients to access SantimPay’s payment system through the microfinance institution’s network of 121 branches, as VisionFund seeks to modernise service delivery for borrowers largely drawn from rural areas, women led enterprises and small businesses. The agreement was signed at VisionFund’s headquarters in Addis Ababa.

Established 27 years ago, VisionFund has a paid up capital of about 5.8 billion birr and remains one of the country’s largest microfinance institutions by outreach. Abreham Abayneh, the institution’s deputy chief executive responsible for information systems, said digital integration is becoming central to sustaining growth while maintaining access for unbanked communities.

He said technology driven partnerships enable VisionFund to serve customers more efficiently across its dispersed branch network, particularly as demand rises for faster and more accessible financial services

Beyond payments, the agreement is expected to support VisionFund’s gradual move into digital lending.

SantimPay, which will provide the payment infrastructure, currently processes around one million transactions a day and serves more than forty five thousand merchants in Addis Ababa, Mekelle and Adama.

The company said collaboration with institutions that already operate at district level allows it to expand nationally without relying solely on the costly rollout of physical branches. SantimPay plans to extend its presence to Hawassa and Arbaminch, while continuing to prioritise partnerships as a core growth strategy.