Nairobi, May 13, 2025 - What began as a small fintech idea in Norway has now become a strategic force across East Africa’s informal financial landscape. Today, we’re proud to announce one of the most defining moments in our journey so far: Wakandi has signed a five-year partnership agreement with Mastercard.
A Partnership Rooted in Shared Vision
Mastercard’s commitment to financial inclusion is well-known. Their deep understanding of emerging markets, infrastructure needs, and regulatory complexity aligns perfectly with Wakandi’s mission. For us, this is far more than a corporate milestone — it’s validation.
Mastercard sees what we see: a massive opportunity to build financial infrastructure not from scratch, but by connecting and modernising what already exists in the informal space, often called the bottom of the pyramid.
Through this partnership, we aim to:
✅ Integrate Mastercard’s payment capabilities into Wakandi’s platform, enhancing digital payments across SACCOS and savings groups.
✅ Launch co-branded campaigns to increase trust and adoption in our three key markets — Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda;
✅ Explore joint financial products, such as virtual cards and embedded credit, that fit the real needs of our users.
The signing ceremony was done by Shehryar Bakht Ali, Senior Vice President, Mastercard East Africa.
It’s Not Just a Contract — It’s Momentum and Validation
This agreement signals to the world that what we’ve built at Wakandi is working, and is ready to scale. For Mastercard, it opens the door to a high-impact use case in markets where the traditional banking model has failed to reach the majority. For us, it means technical collaboration, market reach, and a stronger voice in shaping inclusive financial systems. A proper joining partnership that benefits both parties.
What’s Next?
Integrations will begin shortly, followed by pilots, campaigns, and full commercial rollout. More importantly, we’ll begin tracking the true impact of this partnership, not in logos or press, but in active users, digital transactions, and lives improved.
To everyone who’s been part of this journey so far — thank you. To those watching from the sidelines — stay tuned. This is just the beginning.
– Espen Kvelland, CEO of Wakandi Group
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