A new partnership between AzamPay and Visa is set to transform how tourists experience Tanzania. The initiative, announced in New York at the US–Tanzania Trade and Investment Forum 2025, will allow international visitors to use their Visa credit cards seamlessly through the AzamPesa digital wallet. Running from the question of who will benefit, what is being offered, where and when it was announced, why it matters and how it will work, the partnership aims to make travel in Tanzania cashless, more inclusive and more convenient for millions of visitors each year.
Tanzania attracts around 2.2 million international tourists annually. Many of these travelers arrive with Visa and Mastercard in hand but soon discover that fewer than three percent of local vendors accept cards. At the same time, more than one million small businesses and merchants across the country accept payments exclusively through QR codes and mobile money platforms. This gap has long created frustration for visitors who want to spend more easily while also supporting local businesses. The new partnership between AzamPay and Visa directly addresses this challenge by bridging international card networks with Tanzania’s mobile-first economy.
Under the initiative, tourists will be able to download the AzamPesa app, validate their visit visa and instantly link their international credit cards to a local mobile money wallet. Once this step is complete, visitors can pay for goods and services at taxis, street vendors, restaurants and small shops using QR codes, just like Tanzanian customers. This creates a seamless way to transact without needing cash, while giving tourists the confidence to spend more widely across the country. For merchants, it means a new wave of customers can pay easily, without requiring expensive card terminals or infrastructure upgrades.
The announcement was made by AzamPay CEO Firas Ahmad during the Vice President of Tanzania Philip Mpango’s official trade delegation to New York. It was the only new partnership publicly unveiled between a US and Tanzanian company at the forum, highlighting its importance not only for digital commerce but also for international collaboration. The deal positions Tanzania as a forward-looking destination that is embracing financial technology to improve tourism, one of the country’s most important economic sectors.
This partnership builds on AzamPay’s track record of innovation in digital finance. Founded in 2016, AzamPay has been developing technology-driven payment and commerce solutions tailored for East Africa. The company is part of the Azam Group, a well-established brand with deep roots in the region. Last year, AzamPay participated in Visa’s Africa Fintech Accelerator, where it presented solutions aimed at markets with high smartphone adoption but limited card acceptance infrastructure. This collaboration with Visa shows the company’s ability to scale its ideas into real-world solutions that meet both local and international needs.
The impact of the new system goes beyond convenience. It represents a step forward for digital inclusion, ensuring that global payment systems integrate more closely with local realities. For Tanzania, the partnership has the potential to boost spending by international visitors, support small businesses and strengthen confidence in the country’s ability to innovate in financial technology. For tourists, it means fewer barriers, more access and the freedom to enjoy their time in Tanzania without worrying about carrying or exchanging large amounts of cash.
As tourism continues to grow and technology reshapes commerce, this collaboration shows how private sector partnerships can unlock opportunities for both economic growth and customer experience. By connecting international cardholders to local mobile money systems, AzamPay and Visa are not only making travel in Tanzania smarter but also setting a precedent for other markets in Africa facing similar challenges.
For AzamPay, the journey is consistent with its vision of creating value through technology-enabled products and services that serve businesses and consumers alike. For Visa, it reflects a broader commitment to expanding access and modernizing payments globally. Together, the two companies are shaping the future of cashless travel in East Africa, ensuring that the benefits of digital finance reach both visitors and local communities.
