SIPHOSETHU PAMA
Across Southern Africa, the move toward digital payments is gaining pace as consumers and businesses increasingly look for faster, safer and more convenient ways to transact.
Yet in many markets, cash still plays a dominant role, and gaps in digital infrastructure continue to shape how people access financial services, trade across borders and participate in the formal economy.
This creates a timely regional business story: how stronger payment partnerships can help accelerate the shift from cash to digital, support financial inclusion, and make it easier for individuals, SMEs and larger businesses to participate in a more connected regional economy.
Against this backdrop, Visa and FMBcapital Holdings have announced a five-year strategic partnership designed to strengthen digital payment ecosystems across Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The agreement brings FMBcapital Holdings subsidiaries under a unified framework, with a focus on expanding access to secure Visa-powered solutions, improving payment infrastructure, supporting e-commerce growth and enabling smoother cross-border transactions.
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Siphosethu
24 June 2026: Visa, a global leader in digital payments, today announced the signing of a five-year strategic agreement with FMBcapital Holdings, a leading pan African financial services provider.
The landmark agreement brings together FMBcapital Holdings subsidiaries across Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe under a unified framework, reinforcing a shared ambition to accelerate the growth of digital payment ecosystems across Southern Africa.
As digital payment adoption gains momentum across the continent, driven by increasing smartphone penetration, fintech innovation, and rising demand for secure, convenient transactions, this partnership comes at a pivotal moment. While cash continues to dominate in many Southern African markets, the shift toward digital and cashless economies is accelerating. This collaboration aims to help bridge that gap by expanding access, strengthening infrastructure, and enabling broader financial inclusion.
“This partnership marks a step change in how we scale digital payments across Southern Africa,” said Salome Makau, Cluster Head, Visa, Central Southern Africa. “Our focus is not just on enabling transactions, but on building the underlying infrastructure and capabilities that allow economies to grow more digitally, inclusively, and competitively. By deepening our collaboration with FMBcapital Holdings, we are extending the reach of secure, innovative payment solutions to more individuals and businesses, unlocking new opportunities for commerce, trade, and economic resilience across the region.
Through this partnership, Visa and FMBcapital Holdings will work closely to enhance digital payment infrastructure across Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, while expanding access to seamless, secure Visa powered solutions for both consumers and businesses. The collaboration will enable faster, safer payments, support the growth of e commerce, and facilitate smoother cross border transactions, unlocking new opportunities for regional trade and economic growth. The partnership will also drive innovation through the adoption of next generation payment technologies tailored to evolving customer needs.
“This strategic partnership with Visa represents a significant milestone in our journey to shape the future of banking and payments across Southern Africa,” said Mr. Jaco Viljoen, Group Managing Director, FMBcapital Holdings Plc. “As customer expectations evolve and digital ecosystems continue to expand, our focus remains on providing seamless, secure, and innovative financial solutions that enable our customers to thrive in an increasingly connected world.
By combining Visa’s global expertise with First Capital Bank Group’s strong regional presence, we are creating a powerful platform to accelerate digital transformation, deepen financial inclusion, and unlock new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike. We look forward to working together to drive sustainable economic growth and create lasting value across the markets we serve.
Together, Visa and FMBcapital Holdings aim to accelerate digital payment adoption, elevate customer experiences, and unlock new opportunities for businesses across Southern Africa, contributing to a more connected, inclusive, and resilient financial ecosystem.
