Zambia’s leading provider of innovative digital financial solutions, Union54, has collaborated with Mastercard to launch ChitChat, a social commerce platform.
Union54, a Y Combinator alumni, has developed various tools to advance African commerce.
The startup works with fintech companies across Africa and has distributed millions of debit cards to consumers from nearly every country on the continent.
According to a report by Disrupt Africa, “By partnering with Mastercard, the startup has introduced ChitChat, a social commerce platform that allows African consumers to communicate with each other through an encrypted platform. “
ChitChat users can also send money to each other, access a USD debit card, and make purchases from digital stores within the app.
Initially, the beta version of ChitChat’s card and payment features will be available in Angola, Tanzania and Ghana, with more markets to be added later this year.
The integration of Mastercard into ChitChat’s payment system and USD debit card features signifies a deeper partnership aimed at facilitating card issuance in African markets.
Previously, Union54 had issued over two million cards in collaboration with Mastercard.
“We are delighted to announce our ChitChat product and simultaneously expand our partnership with Mastercard,” said Perseus Mlambo the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Union54.
Mr Mlambo added “We believe that mobile payments and chat platforms can significantly enhance trade in Africa, and we are dedicated to creating a platform that accelerates this progress. By integrating payments into a chat platform, we are giving everyone access to a USD card instantly—on our terms.”
