Airtel Africa is preparing to introduce a virtual payment card in Kenya, positioning its mobile money business to challenge Safaricom in the market for international online payments.
The planned card, known as the Virtual Card Number (VCN), is being developed with Mastercard and will be linked to Airtel Money wallets. It is expected to allow customers to pay for services on international platforms, including Amazon and Netflix, without needing a conventional bank account.
The launch will bring Airtel Money into direct competition with Safaricom’s M-PESA GlobalPay, a virtual Visa card introduced in 2022 to enable customers to make payments on international online platforms.
Brandspur Banking News Desk reports that the planned rollout marks another step in the competition between the two telecommunications-backed financial services providers, which are seeking to expand the uses of their mobile money platforms beyond domestic transfers and payments.
For customers, the proposed service could provide another route to paying for international subscriptions and online purchases directly from mobile money wallets. Linking the card to Airtel Money could also make international digital payments more accessible to people who do not have traditional bank accounts.
However, Airtel will be entering a market where Safaricom already has an established virtual card offering. The success of its new product will depend partly on how effectively it meets customers’ needs and competes with existing payment options.
The contest also reflects a broader shift in mobile money services, as providers seek to make their wallets useful for a wider range of transactions, including spending on global digital platforms.
Beyond the payment technology, the ability to fund transactions conveniently and manage spending will be important considerations for customers choosing between the services.
Further details on the launch, including its timing and the full terms of the offering, were not provided in the information available.
