Visa has opened its first African data centre in South Africa, marking a major step in its plan to grow across the continent. The global payment giant said this facility would improve services in Africa and support its long-term strategy to expand further across the region.
The Johannesburg-based data centre is part of Visa’s $57 million commitment to strengthen its operations in Africa. Although the company has kept the facility’s exact location and size secret for security reasons, the move shows Visa’s strong belief in the future of Africa’s digital payment system.
Visa Strengthens African Presence with Local Infrastructure
Visa, which began operations in Africa over 30 years ago, has now cemented its presence with this data centre. According to Michael Berner, Visa’s Country Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa, the facility proves the company’s strong growth in Africa. He added that Visa plans to bring new, modern payment products to South Africa and other parts of the continent using this new facility.
The data centre will help Visa process transactions faster and more securely. It is also part of Visa’s global processing system, VisaNet, which handles over 100 billion transactions each year across more than 200 countries.
A Major Boost for Digital Payment and Financial Inclusion
Experts believe that Visa’s investment in African infrastructure will help boost financial inclusion. It will also support the work of African governments, banks, and fintech companies trying to improve access to digital payments.
South Africa’s Communications Minister, Solly Malatsi, praised the new facility. He called it a sign of confidence in South Africa as a good place to invest. He also said the local data centre will reduce the need to depend on overseas systems and will help Africa gain more control over its financial systems.
This $57 million data centre project is part of a larger $1 billion investment Visa announced in 2022. The goal is to strengthen Africa’s payment system through modern technology and innovation.
Visa Aims to Lead Africa’s Digital Payment Growth
Visa is tapping into Africa’s fast-growing digital payment space. A 2025 report by Genesis Analytics, commissioned by Mastercard, projects that Africa’s digital payment market will reach $1.5 trillion by 2030. This growth is driven by more people using the internet and having better access to financial services.
With this in mind, Visa plans to offer cutting-edge solutions like generative AI-powered payments through its new African data centre. The company believes this technology will help improve digital payments and customer experiences across the continent.
Visa also understands the challenges Africa faces in digital finance. Many small businesses operate in places with limited access to banks. This makes financial inclusion a major issue. In addition, problems like weak infrastructure, rigid systems, and low trust in digital platforms slow down progress.
To tackle these barriers, Visa is focusing on inclusive innovation and strong partnerships. The company plans to expand its Fintech Accelerator program to support startups that want to improve digital payments. Visa also plans to build trust in digital finance by promoting cybersecurity and financial education.
This new data centre proves Visa’s commitment to helping Africa grow its digital economy. It’s one of the few Visa has built outside its main hubs in the U.S., UK, and Singapore. The company is also expanding its presence in West and Central Africa, where mobile money is growing quickly.
Visa is set to play a major role in shaping Africa’s digital payment future. Through smart investments and local innovation, the company hopes to bridge financial gaps and drive economic growth across the continent.
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