Deeper business localization of UnionPay in Africa: first UnionPay payroll cards and student cards to be issued
2019-03-29

UnionPay International today announced to cooperate with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), which is the largest bank in East-Africa region, to issued 300,000 UnionPay payroll card and student card within this year. This is also the first time in Africa to issue UnionPay payroll cards and student cards. At least 20 schools in Kenya will accept UnionPay student cards for the payment of tuition fees and other transactions in campus. Cai Jianbo, CEO of UnionPay International, and Samuel Makome, COO of KCB Group, attended the card issuance ceremony.


In recent years, UnionPay International has been accelerating to promote overseas mainstream institutions to issue UnionPay cards. UnionPay International will tailor its products for card issuers according to various needs of different markets. According to the latest data, 110 million UnionPay cards has been issued in 52 overseas countries and regions. More and more overseas residents use UnionPay cards in their everyday consumptions. In addition, UnionPay card has been chosen as Manila City Card. Besides, UAE, Russia, and Uzbekistan issued UnionPay payroll cards as well.


The reasons why KCB choose UnionPay card as the payroll cards and student cards for local residents are various. On the hand, it is because that the acceptance rate of UnionPay in Kenya is high. On the other hand, the two cards issued this time are both UnionPay IC cards supporting the contactless payment and online payment. In the future, it can leverage the advantages of UnionPay's innovative products and services to provide cardholders with mobile payment services based on UnionPay cards.


“Kenya is a significant participant of One Belt and One Road Initiation in Africa. This cooperation is a new breakthrough in the localization of the UnionPay International in the region. UnionPay International can take this opportunity to provide service for more Kenyan residents, especially young customers”, said Cai Jianbo, CEO of UnionPay International. He also said, UnionPay International is further exploring and deepening cooperation with KCB to accelerate the expansion of the UnionPay QR code payment scenarios, and promote the launch of e-wallet to provide mobile payment solutions that meet the needs of the local market.


Previously, Kenya Commercial Bank has enabled all its ATMs and merchants in six East African countries to accept UnionPay cards. This bank also has realized that 3,000 merchants in Kenya accepted UnionPay QR code and UnionPay mobile QuickPass, which includes Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Huawei Pay etc. In last China Import and Export Fair, UnionPay International teamed up with KCB to issue the world’s first "One Belt and One Road" business card. Samuel Makome, the COO of KCB Group, said that the demands for financial product with high quality in Kenya have grown in recent years. This cooperation furtherly enriches the system of UnionPay card products in Kenya, which enable locals to enjoy safe and convenient UnionPay card payment service. In the future, KCB will try to realize this project as soon as possible.


At present, 50 countries and regions in Africa accept UnionPay cards, and the overall acceptance rate has reached more than 75%. 10 countries in Africa, including Mauritius, Kenya, Seychelles, have issued UnionPay cards such as premium cards, business cards, and Asian travel cards.


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