Wari, a digital payments and money transfer firm has partnered with Mastercard  to boost digital payment acceptance in 35 African markets.

The deal will see the two firms provide citizens with access to secure and easy to use financial solutions, ending the dependency on cash.

According to Kabirou Mbodje, Wari’s CEO, “The partnership with Mastercard will provide us with the ability to boost digital payment acceptance in the markets that we operate. With the Mastercard experience in securing payments across the world, customers can rest assured that their payment, whether done by card or mobile, will be secure.

Wari through its MyWari app will offeraccess to Mastercard digital solutions HomeSend, giving customers the ability to send and receive funds regardless of the payment method, cash, wallet, debit or credit card. MyWari app users will also have access to a virtual card solution which gives them access to funds as is linked to the customers prepaid, debit or credit physical card.

Wari customers will also have access to Masterpass QR, a mobile payment solution that gives Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) access to a low cost way to accept payments for their goods and services, helping them go beyond cash and traditional point-of-sale (POS) terminals.

Wari will also offer digital payment solutions such as prepaid, debit and credit Mastercard cards widely accepted at millions of locations worldwide. These payment cards offer EMV chip and pin technology, ensuring that all transactions are secure.

“Our partnership with Wari illustrates how much the payment industry has evolved, and how Africa is at the forefront of driving the shift towards digital payments,” explains Daniel Monehin, Division President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Mastercard.