MasterCard opens Kenyan headquarters

Electronic payments company, MasterCard has deployed its official East African regional headquarters, in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing the number of MasterCard offices across Africa to five, Afrique en Ligne reports.

Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga says: “MasterCard's products will see the benefits of inclusion into the financial system extend to many more East Africans, giving them the opportunity to transact electronically with people and companies and so keep their precious money safe and secure, helping to build prosperity for their future.”

EON Business Wire says the Nairobi office will act as MasterCard's liaison office for customer banks, business associates and consumers in Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritius, Ethiopia and Uganda, as well as across the rest of the East African region.

MasterCard has already been active in the Kenyan market, working with banks and other business organisations to advise on developing payment solutions that are best suited for Kenyans.

In collaboration with Airtel and Standard Chartered Bank, MasterCard recently unveiled a virtual card that operates off a mobile wallet in Kenya.

MasterCard's global payments expertise is expected to be relevant across East Africa, and particularly in Kenya, as the country evolves to implement the National Payments Systems Bill, passed by the country's government during 2011, Afribiz states.

Charlton Goredema, MasterCard VP and marketing manager for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, says: “We believe that the bill is a recognition that efficient payment mechanisms are essential to the development of the Kenyan economy, and we look forward to working with policymakers to bring electronic payment solutions to this market.”