SanuPay, a UAE-headquartered third-party payment processor licensed to operate across Africa, has partnered with OpenWay, a global provider of digital payments software, to launch Ethiopia’s first domestic credit card.
This strategic partnership aims to transform the country’s financial landscape through the adoption of modern, digital payment infrastructure, according to FF News.
The collaboration is driven by a mutual goal to modernise Ethiopia’s financial services and broaden access to digital banking tools.
The two companies are focused on enabling the issuance of domestic credit cards and building a digital ecosystem that supports broader economic inclusion and connectivity across East Africa.
SanuPay will leverage OpenWay’s flagship Way4 platform, which offers an end-to-end digital payment solution for card issuing, acquiring, switching, and mobile wallets.
Under this partnership, SanuPay plans to issue 4 million debit and prepaid cards, along with 5,000 Visa and Mastercard credit cards. The company will also operate 10,000 point-of-sale (POS) terminals and 200 ATMs throughout Ethiopia—all powered by Way4.
OpenWay, known for its configurable and coding-light digital payments platform, brings its global expertise to the table. The Way4 platform is already used across Africa and supports rapid deployment in emerging markets. Its modular approach enables institutions to roll out comprehensive payment ecosystems without extensive software development.
The first domestic credit cards will be issued by Oromia Bank, one of Ethiopia’s leading financial institutions, which also plans to launch a co-branded loyalty card in partnership with Sheba Miles, an Ethiopian Airlines programme. The entire infrastructure rollout is underpinned by SantimPay, a licensed payment system operator supervised by the National Bank of Ethiopia, responsible for secure and compliant transaction processing.
SanuPay’s vision extends beyond Ethiopia. In Kenya, the company is working with banks and FinTechs to upgrade card processing, remittances, and cross-border transactions. In Rwanda, it plans to empower FinTechs with the ability to issue virtual cards, deploy tokenisation, and integrate digital wallets and mobile payments.
OpenWay’s platform has already shown success in Africa, particularly through partnerships with Equity Bank. Its 95% no-code functionality makes it ideal for markets requiring fast, scalable solutions without high development costs.
“We have selected the best-in-class solution to provide best-in-class payment services in Ethiopia,” SanuPay CEO Alfred Gachaga said. “Partnering with OpenWay and deploying Way4 enables a resilient, scalable, and compliant infrastructure that supports Africa’s digital financial transformation.”
“This collaboration with SanuPay reflects our commitment to empowering innovative financial institutions across Africa,” OpenWay regional director, Sub-Saharan Africa Hermann Mike said. “Way4 enables Ethiopia’s first domestic credit card while laying the foundation for a modern, inclusive, and interoperable payments landscape.”
The SanuPay-OpenWay initiative serves as a scalable blueprint for digital financial growth across the continent, supporting Africa’s transition to a cashless, connected economy.
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