Mastercard has announced a strategic collaboration with enza, a payment solutions provider, to expand access to embedded payment technologies for fintech companies across Africa. The partnership aims to accelerate digital innovation and financial inclusion across the continent by giving fintech innovators easier access to Mastercard’s global payment network.
The collaboration comes amid a sharp rise in fintech activity on the continent. According to the European Investment Bank, the number of fintech companies in Africa has nearly tripled since 2020, driven by a growing demand for inclusive financial services and alternatives to traditional, costly banking models.
Through this partnership, fintechs operating on enza’s platform will be able to embed Mastercard payment functionalities into their digital offerings—ranging from prepaid or postpaid accounts to the issuance of physical and virtual Mastercard cards. For businesses, enza will enable acceptance of Mastercard payments across in-store, online, and in-app channels.
“At Mastercard, we are focused on powering the fintech ecosystem by enabling access to our trusted global network,” said Mete Guney, Executive Vice President of Market Development, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) at Mastercard. “Through our work with enza, fintech innovators in Africa will be able to deploy embedded payment capabilities more efficiently—helping accelerate financial inclusion and the region’s digital transformation.”
As part of the agreement, enza will host and manage consumer and merchant accounts, handle integration with Mastercard’s infrastructure, and ensure the highest levels of security and availability for all transactions.
Founded in 2023 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, enza has regional offices in Egypt, South Africa, and Nigeria. The company’s platform is designed to offer flexibility and scalability, enabling fintechs to enter new markets quickly and serve customers more effectively.
“enza is on a mission to make digital payments more accessible and affordable across Africa, helping to build a more financially inclusive continent that is ready and able to compete globally,” said Andrew Key, Executive Director at enza. “Our collaboration with Mastercard means fintechs won’t need to build complex payment systems from scratch, giving them a secure and rapid path to market.”
With a strong focus on lowering the barriers to financial access, the Mastercard–enza collaboration is expected to play a pivotal role in driving innovation, inclusion, and entrepreneurship in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies.
