Standard Bank Group and UnionPay International have expanded UnionPay e-commerce acceptance to nearly 900 merchants across Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The expansion enables participating businesses to accept secure online payments from UnionPay cardholders in local currency, US dollars or both, depending on market requirements.
The capability is expected to support hospitality operators, retailers and e-commerce platforms by giving them greater access to international travellers and cross-border shoppers.
The initiative builds on the partnership between Standard Bank Group and UnionPay International that began in 2024. It connects participating merchants to UnionPay’s global payment network, which is accepted in 183 countries and regions, including 51 markets across Africa.
UnionPay is issued in 85 countries and regions and has approximately 7 million cards in circulation across Africa.
Standard Bank said the expanded payment capability will help merchants reduce checkout friction and reach customers beyond their domestic markets, while UnionPay said the partnership will provide its cardholders with more payment choices when transacting with businesses across Africa.
The expansion reflects the growing importance of cross-border digital payments in supporting التجارة, tourism and e-commerce across African markets.
