Vodacom Tanzania has launched Africa’s first mobile money-native contactless payment feature, following a collaboration with Visa and Paymentology to upgrade its M-Pesa app. This marks a major milestone in the evolution of digital payments on the continent, bringing contactless mobile transactions, traditionally limited to bank-issued cards and NFC-enabled banking apps, into the mobile‑money ecosystem for the first time.
The feature allows users to make contactless payments by simply tapping their smartphones on enabled payment terminals, eliminating the need for traditional methods such as entering Paybill numbers, Till numbers, or using physical debit and credit cards.
The new functionality is integrated into the M-Pesa Super App and effectively turns the mobile wallet into a virtual card. Using near-field communication (NFC) technology, the system enables fast, secure, and seamless transactions at compatible point-of-sale terminals. This means customers can now pay for goods and services in a matter of seconds, improving convenience while reducing friction at checkout points. For merchants, the feature offers a more efficient way to process payments, helping to reduce queues and enhance the overall customer experience.
This development represents a major shift in how mobile money is being positioned within the broader financial ecosystem. Traditionally known for peer-to-peer transfers and bill payments, M-Pesa is now expanding into everyday retail transactions, directly competing with global card payment systems.
By integrating contactless capabilities, the platform is bridging the gap between mobile wallets and conventional banking infrastructure, making digital payments more accessible and practical for daily use.
In Tanzania, where mobile money adoption is already high, the introduction of tap-to-pay is expected to accelerate the transition toward a fully cashless economy.
Consumers will benefit from faster and more convenient payment options, while businesses—especially in urban centers—stand to gain from increased transaction efficiency and reduced reliance on cash handling. The move also supports financial inclusion by enabling more people to participate in the digital economy without necessarily needing access to traditional banking services.
Epimack Mbeteni, M‑Pesa Director at Vodacom Tanzania, highlighted the significance of the development, noting that the idea had evolved from a simple concept to a fully operational solution through extensive multi‑party collaboration.
"This launch is the result of deep collaboration across Vodacom, M-Pesa Africa, Visa, and Paymentology, and reflects our shared commitment to making payments simpler, safer, and more accessible." he said.
Tanzania’s mobile‑money landscape is expanding rapidly, with over 76.5 million registered mobile‑money accounts as of December 2025. This growth has created fertile ground for advanced digital-payment capabilities, and the newly launched solution aims to meet rising demand for fast, secure, real‑time transactions.
For Kenya, the rollout serves as a strong signal of what could be on the horizon. M-Pesa already dominates Kenya’s payments landscape, and the introduction of tap-to-pay locally could further strengthen its position by offering an alternative to card-based transactions. It also aligns with Safaricom’s broader vision of transforming M-Pesa into a comprehensive super app that integrates payments, banking, and lifestyle services into one seamless platform.
Beyond East Africa, the launch reflects a growing trend across the continent, where fintech innovation is rapidly reshaping how people interact with money. As digital payment solutions become more sophisticated, the focus is shifting toward speed, convenience, and interoperability with global systems.
Ultimately, the introduction of tap-to-pay in Tanzania is more than just a new feature—it is a glimpse into the future of payments in Africa. By combining the accessibility of mobile money with the efficiency of contactless technology, M-Pesa is taking another step toward becoming a truly global and versatile financial platform.
