MasterCard launches regional office in Nairobi

By James Anyanzwa

MasterCard Worldwide, a global payments and technology company, has launched its East African regional headquarters in Nairobi with the aim of bringing the benefits of electronic payments to people across the African continent.

This development brings the number of MasterCard offices across the African continent to five, with other offices operational in Cairo, Casablanca, Lagos, and Johannesburg.

Five countries

The Nairobi office will act as MasterCard’s liaison office for customer banks, business associates and consumers in its main markets of Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritius, Ethiopia and Uganda, as well as across the rest of the East African region.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga said MasterCard’s products will see the benefits of inclusion into the financial system extend to many more East Africans, giving them the opportunity to transact electronically with people and companies.

"We are pleased to welcome MasterCard to East Africa and in particular to Kenya, as we see the region’s growth path continue," said Raila.

"Nairobi’s reputation as an African business and development hub made it a strategically sound location for MasterCard to establish its regional offices," said Daniel Monehin, Area Head, East & West Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, MasterCard Worldwide.

MasterCard has been active in the Kenyan market working with banks and other business organisations to advise on developing payment solutions that are best suited for Kenyans.

Most recently, in collaboration with Airtel & Standard Chartered Bank, they launched in Kenya the world’s first virtual card that operates off a mobile wallet.

MasterCard will also be offering the services of MasterCard Advisors into the East African region, helping to ensure that best-practice principles are implemented across the payments network.