Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has announced a new partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) aimed at enhancing access to open, secure, and inclusive digital government systems worldwide. This collaboration follows the recent launch of USAID’s Digital Policy and will span five years, focusing on developing programs that assist governments in connecting their constituents with local government services.
The joint initiative seeks to promote economic development and growth in select markets by combining Visa’s expertise in digital payments and government systems with USAID’s support for constituents and small- and medium-sized enterprises. Together, Visa and USAID aim to support the establishment and adoption of foundational digital government systems that facilitate convenient and secure access to government services and digital payments.
Initial focus areas for the partnership will include Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Caucasus, with plans to expand further as the initiative progresses.
“Digital government systems can enhance transparency and efficiency between communities and governments, creating a favorable environment for entrepreneurs and economic development,” said Chris Newkirk, Global Head of New Flows – Commercial & Money Movement Solutions at Visa. “Through our shared interests and goals, Visa and USAID will empower communities with digital and financial literacy while supporting access to digital systems that drive financial inclusion for everyone, everywhere.”
Christopher Burns, USAID’s Chief Digital Development Officer and Director of the Technology Division, emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “Digital development works best when governments and the private sector intentionally work together toward a shared vision of an inclusive digital future. We look forward to deepening our partnership with Visa to drive digital financial inclusion for traditionally underserved consumers and strengthen digital public infrastructure across emerging markets.”
This partnership builds on a longstanding relationship between Visa, the Visa Foundation, and USAID to promote digitization and financial inclusion globally. Recently, Visa and USAID collaborated with Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation to develop the Diia mobile application, which has successfully connected 19 million Ukrainians to over 120 government services. Furthermore, the Visa Foundation is a founding member of the Climate Gender Equity Fund (CGEF), part of the Women in the Sustainable Economy (WISE) Initiative, committing grants and investments to support approximately 1.4 million gender-equitable and climate-smart small businesses globally. Together, Visa and USAID aim to improve livelihoods, bolster economic opportunities, and close the gender digital divide in developing markets.
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