Standard Bank Group and UnionPay International have expanded online payment acceptance across nine African countries, giving participating merchants access to a wider base of regional and international customers. Nearly 900 businesses can now accept UnionPay e-commerce payments through the extended partnership.
Nine markets join the network
The expansion covers Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Merchants can process online transactions in local currency, US dollars or both, depending on national requirements. The service is initially expected to benefit hospitality companies, tourism operators, retailers and e-commerce platforms serving customers across borders.
International customers become more accessible
Approximately seven million UnionPay cards have been issued across Africa. The wider network is accepted in 183 countries and regions, including 51 African markets.
Adding UnionPay to online checkouts gives African merchants another route to reach tourists, diaspora communities and international shoppers. It may also reduce abandoned purchases caused by customers being unable to use their preferred payment method.
Standard Bank builds regional payment infrastructure
The rollout follows a partnership established in 2024, when Standard Bank and UnionPay agreed to support card issuance and online acceptance in South Africa before expanding the service across the continent.
Standard Bank’s regional presence allows the payment solution to be introduced across several markets through an established banking network rather than through separate partnerships in every country.
Cross-border commerce remains the larger opportunity
African digital trade continues to face fragmented payment systems, currency differences and inconsistent access to international payment networks. The new capability does not remove all those barriers, but it provides businesses with another internationally recognised payment channel.
Its commercial impact will depend on merchant adoption, transaction costs and customer demand. However, the expansion demonstrates how banks and global payment companies are increasingly competing to build the infrastructure supporting Africa’s growing digital economy.
Newshub Editorial in Africa – 25 August 2026
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