- A new alliance between fintechs Network International and Ant International is set to stir up the digital finance ecosystem in Africa and the Middle East.
- Deal will see banks, fintechs, and telcos across the MEA gain access to a cutting-edge digital wallet suite.
- With Alipay+ Wallet Tech, Network aims to offer businesses enhanced experience in digital payments.
The push to enhance financial inclusion and digital wallet offerings in Africa has received a shot in the arm with Network International and Ant International announcing a strategic partnership aimed at revolutionizing mobile wallet technology.
Through this collaboration, banks, fintechs, and telecommunications companies across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region will gain access to cutting-edge digital wallet solutions, bolstering financial inclusion and the digital transformation landscape.
The partnership agreement, signed at a ceremony attended by H.E. Jamal Abdulla AlSuwaidi, the UAE Ambassador to Singapore, marks a new chapter for digital payment expansion in Africa and the Middle East, as both firms seek to deliver adaptable, high-tech solutions to a rapidly digitizing market.
Expanding digital wallet capabilities with Alipay+ Technology
Network International, a leader in MEA digital commerce, said it will leverage Ant’s Alipay+ Wallet Tech solutions. This platform offers a full suite of e-wallet services, from basic app-building tools to capabilities for developing complex super apps.
Network International is a global digital payments powerhouse with presence in over 50 countries serving governments, banks, fintechs, merchants and public sector companies. Alipay+ is a suite of cross-border mobile payment and digitalization technology solutions that help connect global merchants to consumers.
With Alipay+ Wallet Tech, Network aims to provide businesses in MEA with streamlined digital payment services that enhance customer experience through simplified e-payments. The technology empowers enterprises to set up or expand digital wallets, making it easier for consumers to transact seamlessly across both online and offline platforms.
As mobile phone usage continues to rise in Africa, the partnership positions Network International to tap into a growing demand for mobile payment options. By enhancing access to e-wallet solutions, this partnership provides consumers with new, localized digital payment options tailored to the African market’s needs.
A new era of seamless QR payments across the Middle East and Africa
Through the integration of Alipay+ solutions, Network International will support a unified QR code payment system that combines online and offline transactions. This seamless experience enables users to make payments with their preferred digital wallets, from anywhere in the world, through QR code-enabled transactions.
Alipay+, which connects over 30 payment providers globally, allows consumers to make purchases via their home e-wallets or chosen digital methods without needing a separate local payment app. This functionality will give MEA consumers unprecedented flexibility, allowing them to transact smoothly across borders and within their local economies.
Boosting local payment processing with Antom
Ant International’s payment and digitization services platform, Antom, also plays a crucial role in this partnership. Through Antom, Network International plans to enhance its card payment processing abilities, supporting international debit and credit cards issued in the UAE.
With a presence in over 150 markets, Antom currently supports merchants in over 40 markets with the flexibility to accept payments in more than 100 currencies.
This addition makes it easier for global merchants to accept local payment options, creating a bridge between local consumers and international businesses. For Africa’s small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this opens a wider range of opportunities, as they can accept payments from both local and global consumers.
Nandan Mer, CEO of Network International, lauded the partnership, noting its impact on digital transformation across the MEA region. “We are excited to strengthen our partnership with Ant International to expand their footprint in the Middle East and Africa and contribute to financial inclusion efforts within the region,” he said.
“This collaboration underscores our commitment to accelerating digital transformation, enabling the growth of businesses in the region.”
Read also: How cash scarcity gave rise to Zimbabwe’s digital payments system
Why this partnership matters for Africa’s financial future
Africa is one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for mobile financial services, driven by an expanding base of smartphone users and increased connectivity. With this partnership, Network International and Ant International are well-positioned to support Africa’s digital finance growth, addressing both the unbanked population and the rising need for digital payment options.
The potential to scale e-wallet adoption and support for QR code payments offers a strong alternative for those without traditional banking access, providing a more accessible payment system that matches the continent’s evolving digital landscape.
This partnership also opens doors for banks, fintechs, and telcos in Africa to offer diverse payment solutions, effectively reducing reliance on cash and driving financial inclusion.
For Peng Yang, CEO of Ant International, the alliance with Network International aligns with a vision to empower merchants and consumers alike.
“We are delighted to join hands with Network International to serve regional and global merchants, including SMEs in the UAE and the MEA region. By combining our innovative technologies and digitization solutions with Network’s deep know-how of this region, we are providing more growth opportunities to merchants, enabling them to thrive in the digital era,” he remarked.
A win-win for merchants and consumers in MEA
This partnership is a promising step toward a more integrated digital payments ecosystem in MEA. Local merchants, especially SMEs, stand to benefit from Network International’s expanded suite of digital payment tools, which now includes a robust e-wallet infrastructure.
By easing access to digital payments, the alliance provides African businesses with the tools they need to reach new customers, both locally and internationally.
The emphasis on mobile payment solutions also reflects broader market trends, as consumers worldwide shift toward digital-first transactions. The unified QR code payment system simplifies in-person purchases, making it easier for customers to complete transactions with a quick scan, a convenience that’s expected to gain traction across MEA.
As digital commerce continues to grow in Africa and the Middle East, the partnership between Network International and Ant International represents a model for the future, where adaptable and accessible digital payment solutions enable financial inclusion and fuel economic growth.
For MEA’s digital finance ecosystem, this alliance brings the promise of innovation, broader market reach, and financial access that extends far beyond traditional boundaries.
