KaiOS, the operating system for affordable internet devices, has partnered with Mastercard to bring digital payment solutions to Africa. The collaboration will begin in Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) will soon accept digital payments using affordable KaiOS-powered phones.
The partnership will make it easier for SMEs to participate in the digital economy. Many businesses in developing markets struggle with the costs of traditional payment systems. This limits their ability to grow and offer modern services.
With Mastercard’s QR Pay by Link and Tap & Go contactless payments, SMEs can use their KaiOS devices to accept payments securely. Business owners can easily enroll using their KaiOS phones, entering registered credentials and verifying with a one-time password. This system ensures immediate access to digital payments.
“Acceptance fuels a successful digital economy,” said Jorn Lambert, Chief Product Officer at Mastercard. “It’s critical that we meet people where they are today and move them forward together.”
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Focus on Financial Inclusion
The initiative is expected to stimulate the growth of a more inclusive economy. KaiOS and Mastercard aim to help millions of SMEs globally. They want even the smallest businesses to benefit from secure, affordable digital payment tools.
Sebastien Codeville, CEO of KaiOS Technologies, stated, “At KaiOS, our mission is to connect underserved communities with the digital world. This innovation brings down the barriers and enables an affordable consumer device to become a powerful business tool.”
The partnership builds on KaiOS’s earlier participation in Mastercard’s Start Path program. The program fosters digital inclusion by embedding payment solutions into emerging technologies.
Expanding to African Markets
The initial focus of the collaboration is on African markets. Partners like Touch and Pay Technologies (TAP) and Wizzit are helping expand the payment solutions. These companies will work with in-market merchants to offer seamless financial services.
Olamide Afolabi, CEO of TAP, remarked, “This partnership is a game-changer for our existing and new customers, particularly in emerging markets.”
Wizzit is equally optimistic. Dirk Bruynse, COO of Wizzit, said, “We are confident that this collaboration will set new benchmarks for efficiency and drive greater financial inclusion.”
KaiOS and Mastercard plan to extend this initiative globally. Their goal is to provide simple, secure payment tools for businesses in emerging markets worldwide.