Visa and Senegal Target Government Payments in Two-Year Digital Deal

Visa and Senegal Target Government Payments in Two-Year Digital Deal

October 31, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

Visa and Senegal's Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Affairs are exploring ways to digitise payments between citizens and government institutions under a two-year partnership aimed at advancing the country's digital transformation.

The initiative will examine systems that allow individuals to make payments to government agencies and enable public institutions to transfer money directly to citizens. Known as person-to-government (P2G) and government-to-person (G2P) payments, these mechanisms could change how citizens access public services and conduct financial transactions with the state.

The collaboration follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the two parties, marking the first partnership of its kind between Visa and a government institution in Senegal.

Beyond payment systems, the agreement provides for cooperation in financial innovation, cybersecurity and regulatory matters. Visa and the ministry will also exchange technical expertise and identify potential applications for digital financial services aligned with the country's national priorities.

The partnership is linked to Senegal's New Deal Technologique, the country's digital transformation agenda. Samba Diouf, minister of telecommunications and digital affairs, said the government intended to translate its digital ambitions into practical solutions that address citizens' everyday needs.

He said the collaboration should help accelerate the deployment of secure and inclusive digital services.

Aminata Kane, Visa's senior vice-president and group country manager for Western and Central Africa, said the company would contribute its expertise to identifying opportunities to improve access to digital services and support the development of Senegal's payments ecosystem.

The two-year framework establishes areas for potential cooperation but does not specify investment commitments, individual project budgets or implementation timelines for the proposed payment solutions.

Source: FSX Business News