Visa has signed a two-year memorandum of understanding with Senegal's Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Affairs to develop digital payments and modernise public services.
The agreement was announced on 30 October 2026. It is the first partnership of its kind between Visa and a Senegalese government institution.
What the MoU covers
Two payment flows are named. Person-to-government payments would let individuals pay government fees and access public services digitally. Government-to-person payments would let institutions disburse money to individuals through digital channels.
The agreement also sets up knowledge sharing on cybersecurity, financial innovation and regulatory matters. The stated aims are convenience, transaction security and wider access to digital financial services.
What the two sides said
Senegal's Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Affairs, Samba Diouf, described the agreement as a step towards turning the country's digital ambitions into practical solutions.
Aminata Kane, Visa's Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for Western and Central Africa, pointed to improving access to digital services and the long-term development of Senegal's payments ecosystem.
The work sits under the New Deal Technologique, Senegal's national digital transformation programme.
What is not in it
The MoU does not create commercial opportunities for any individual payment provider. No new platform or integration programme has been announced.
Deployment timelines, investment commitments and technical details have not been disclosed. What happens next depends on which projects are selected under the two-year framework.
Why operators should care
Betting and gaming businesses in West Africa run on the same rails as government payments.
Work on acceptance, security and disbursement infrastructure tends to reach commercial merchants next. Visa has also said it will open an office in Dakar before the end of 2026, and it is supporting payment acceptance around the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games.
Senegal's state lottery is moving in the same direction: LONASE has been tightening governance and discussing secure digital lottery sales. Payment infrastructure is the constraint behind both, as our coverage of stablecoin settlement in Africa set out. Visa's own statement is published by Visa.
Frequently asked questions
What did Visa and Senegal sign?
A two-year memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Affairs, covering digital payments, cybersecurity, financial innovation and regulatory cooperation.
What are P2G and G2P payments?
Person-to-government payments are fees and charges citizens pay the state. Government-to-person payments are disbursements the state makes to individuals.
Does this mean new payment products in Senegal?
Not yet. The MoU is a framework for exploring projects. No platform, timeline or investment figure has been announced.
Is Visa expanding in Senegal?
Visa plans to open a Dakar office before the end of 2026 and is supporting payment acceptance for the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games.
What does it mean for betting operators in West Africa?
Nothing directly. Indirectly, investment in acceptance and security infrastructure tends to improve the commercial payment rails operators depend on.
