The development is part of a collaboration between UAE-based SanuPay and Belgian software company OpenWay.

The new card aims to expand Ethiopia’s digital payment infrastructure, especially in a region where mobile money is already well-established—Kenya’s M-Pesa being a leading example.

Since the 2021 launch of Ethiopia’s own mobile money platform, Telebirr, over 51 million users have embraced the service, processing billions in transactions. Still, the use of credit cards in the country remains very limited.

With this launch, Ethiopian banks can now issue credit cards that operate using local currency.

The cards will work seamlessly across different banks, ATMs, and payment terminals, offering consumers and businesses more flexibility and convenience.

SanuPay is taking the lead in the implementation by issuing 4 million debit and prepaid cards, as well as 5,000 international credit cards under Visa and Mastercard.

The company is also setting up 10,000 point-of-sale (POS) terminals and 200 ATMs nationwide.

All systems will be powered by OpenWay’s Way4 platform, which supports various financial services including card issuance, mobile wallets, and transaction processing.

The first batch of local credit cards is expected to be issued by Oromia Bank.

Alfred Gachaga, CEO of SanuPay, said the company chose a reliable and scalable system to support the country’s shift to digital finance.

He emphasized that the partnership with OpenWay provides a solid foundation for modern, compliant, and resilient payment solutions in Africa.

While Ethiopia has traditionally relied heavily on cash, this move is part of a broader push to offer modern, secure, and locally adapted financial options.

It places the country in a better position to align with regional trends and meet growing demand for digital services.