Thunes has partnered with Vodacom Tanzania to enable cross-border payments through Vodacom’s M-Pesa Global Payment solution.
The service allows customers in Tanzania to pay merchants in Uganda and China directly from their mobile phones.
The initiative targets challenges faced by Tanzanian traders, who often rely on costly, slow and less secure payment methods when conducting cross-border transactions.
Using Thunes’ Direct Global Network, the service enables real-time payments and improves cross-border transaction efficiency.
The solution covers two of Tanzania’s key trading partners.
China has been Tanzania’s largest trading partner for eight consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching US$8.8 billion in 2024.
Trade with Uganda totalled around US$2.23 billion in the same year, reflecting a 64% increase from the previous year.
Epimack Mbeteni, M-Pesa Director at Vodacom Tanzania, said:
“Through Thunes’ expansive and trusted Network we are enabling seamless, secure, and affordable cross-border payments that empower people, fuel trade and place M-Pesa at the centre of Africa’s digital commerce future.”
Through the integration, customers can send payments to Uganda via MTN MoMo and to China via Alipay, using either the M-Pesa USSD menu or the M-Pesa Super App.
The process is intended to reduce reliance on traditional banking systems and streamline cross-border transactions for everyday users and businesses.
Dawei Wang, SVP Network at Thunes, said:
“By combining Vodacom’s technology with Thunes’ trusted and proprietary Network, Tanzanian customers can pay partners in China and Uganda in real time.”
Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News UAE, based on image by yrfrfr78 via Magnific
