Mastercard has signed a deal with Wowzi, an influencer marketing platform, and Masria Digital Payments (MDP) to provide innovative digital card solutions for content creators.
The innovative digital cards are aimed to revolutionize the way content creators manage their finances. Content creators will now receive payments from brands, fans, or sponsors, directly onto their digital cards.
Mike Otieno, Co-Founder and President of Wowzi commented “Our journey has always been driven by the belief that content creators are the heartbeat of the digital age. This strategic collaboration with Mastercard and MDP represents a pivotal moment in our mission to empower these creators.
The five-year initiative aims to provide Wowzi’s content creators access to a range of digital card benefits. Leveraging MDP’s expertise in digital payments, these cards are designed to offer content creators a seamless and secure user experience, simplifying both online and offline transactions.
This will facilitate a secure a convenient financial management process, streamlining both online and in-store transactions while granting content creators’ access to exclusive Mastercard rewards and benefits.
According to Otieno,this Innovation is at the core of the company’s values, as they recognize that the influencer and creator market is underserved when it comes to payment solutions.
He added that Wowzi is dedicated to being at the forefront of technology solutions that cater to the unique needs of content creators. This collaboration allows us to not only address those needs but to set new standards in financial empowerment, security, and convenience for our valued community,”
Content creation has emerged as a significant force which has led to a surge in entrepreneurship and job creation, especially in developing countries in Africa where the youth population is high, and unemployment is a major challenge. A recent study shows that Kenya is among the African countries leading in content creation on YouTube with more than 400 channels each boasting 100,000 subscribers. The number of channels earning over Ksh1 million ($8,783.49) monthly has also improved by 60 percent.
Shehryar Ali, Senior Vice President and Country Manager for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands at Mastercard said, “Our decision to invest in the influencer and content creation space is a testament to our belief in the transformative power of the gig economy. As the world of work continues to evolve, we are inspired by the incredible impact content creators have on global culture and the economy. Our objective is to empower these digital trailblazers with the financial tools and security they need to thrive in the dynamic payments landscape.”
This collaboration introduces a range of unique digital card features like Watch Cards and Ring Cards. These wearable contactless payment solutions offer content creators a blend of convenience, security, and style.
This collaboration with Wowzi and Mastercard signifies our commitment to shaping the financial future for content creators, empowering them with more than just payments, it will be a secure and seamless experience. Our tagline Hello Africa, speaks to our mantra of listening to Africa and with that we walk with our customers into the future. We look forward to growing with Wowzi to create a sticky ecosystem for their end users beyond just cards (Physical and Virtual),” said Frank Molla, Managing Director at MDP Africa.
As the content creation industry grows, so does the need for efficient, secure, and flexible payment solutions that keep pace with the dynamic nature of digital content creation. This initiative represents a significant leap forward in meeting these needs, fostering a more vibrant and sustainable ecosystem for content creators worldwide.
