Tanzania Launches Africa’s First Mobile Money Tap-to-Pay Feature
Paymentology, a leading global issuer-processor, has partnered with Vodacom Tanzania Plc and M-PESA Africa to introduce Africa’s first mobile money tap-to-pay feature. This innovative capability is now seamlessly integrated into the M-PESA SuperApp.
Revolutionizing Payments with Contactless Technology
M-PESA customers can now make contactless payments using their Android devices at any Visa-enabled point-of-sale terminal, both locally and abroad. This feature is designed to transform payment processes for millions of users, making transactions simpler and more efficient.
Insights from Key Stakeholders
Epimack Mbeteni, M-PESA Director at Vodacom, expressed enthusiasm about the launch:
“What began as a simple idea—giving M-PESA customers the freedom to tap and pay anywhere using just their phones—is now a live reality. This launch is the result of deep collaboration across Vodacom, M-PESA Africa, Visa, and Paymentology, reflecting our shared commitment to making payments simpler, safer, and more accessible for millions of people.”
Economic Impact in Tanzania
The introduction of this feature marks a significant milestone in Tanzania’s mobile payment landscape, as it is the first time such a capability has been made available in the country. This reflects a broader trend where mobile payments are becoming integral to the economy. As of December 2025, Tanzania’s mobile money accounts skyrocketed to 76.5 million, showcasing approximately a 21% increase from the previous year.
Paymentology’s Commitment to Digital Financial Services
Paymentology is dedicated to enhancing financial inclusion and access to digital payments across Africa. The newly launched tap-to-pay feature is supported by a cloud-first issuing and processing infrastructure and extends the functionality of the M-PESA Visa Virtual Card. Customers can now enjoy secure, tokenized payments without the need for a physical card, blending mobile money with global card acceptance.
Collaboration within the Payments Ecosystem
Meagan Rabe, Vice President of Merchant Services at Visa for Sub-Saharan Africa, discussed the collaborative effort:
“The advancement of mobile money tap-to-pay is the result of effective collaboration within the payments ecosystem. Visa offers a robust global network and contactless infrastructure, Paymentology facilitates secure tokenization at the issuer level, and Vodacom provides extensive reach through its trusted M-PESA platform.”
This partnership is set to establish tap-to-pay as a widely accepted payment option for everyday transactions.
Building on Established Success
This initiative builds upon a successful collaboration between Paymentology and M-PESA in Kenya, expanding their partnership into Tanzania. The deployment signals a move toward further regional growth, emphasizing M-PESA’s evolution in real-time and interoperable digital payment systems.
Future Prospects for Tanzanian Merchants
The introduction of tap-to-pay is crucial for merchants and entrepreneurs in Tanzania, responding to customer demands for contactless payments. With this feature, consumers can make secure payments wherever Visa is accepted, using the familiar M-PESA interface.
Anna Porra, Chief Revenue Officer at Paymentology, highlighted the significance of this innovation:
"Innovations like tap-to-pay accelerate financial inclusion by making everyday transactions simpler and safer for everyone. This launch marks an important step forward for the country’s digital economy.”
Conclusion
The launch of Africa’s first mobile money tap-to-pay feature is poised to reshape the payment landscape in Tanzania, offering a myriad of opportunities for both businesses and consumers. As mobile payments continue to gain traction, this initiative signifies a pivotal shift towards a more digitally-inclusive economy.
Read More: Mobile Money in Africa: Driving Financial Inclusion and Economic Growth
