SanuPay, an East Africa-based card technology firm, is collaborating with global digital payment software provider OpenWay to launch Ethiopia’s first domestic credit card, marking a significant development in the country’s efforts to modernise its financial infrastructure.
In partnership with OpenWay and SantimPay, a licensed payment system operator focused on advancing a cashless economy, SanuPay plans to issue four million debit and prepaid cards, alongside 5,000 Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
These will run on OpenWay’s Way4 platform, which supports issuing, acquiring, switching, and mobile wallet solutions.
Oromia Bank is expected to be the first to issue the domestic credit cards, and also plans to introduce a co-branded loyalty card in collaboration with Sheba Miles.
SanuPay’s rollout will also include 10,000 point-of-sale terminals and 200 ATMs across Ethiopia, all operated using the Way4 system.
The firm’s ambitions extend beyond Ethiopia. In Kenya, SanuPay is working with banks and fintechs to enhance card processing, enable cross-border payments, and improve remittance services through integration with local and international payment schemes.
In Rwanda, its focus will be on supporting fintech firms in issuing virtual cards, implementing tokenisation, and developing digital wallet and mobile payment infrastructure.
OpenWay’s Way4 platform, already in use by institutions such as Equity Bank, is known for its adaptability, most of its functions can be configured without additional development, allowing financial institutions to adapt quickly to evolving market conditions.
Credit card adoption in Africa has generally lagged behind that of mobile wallets, often due to infrastructural and regulatory limitations.
The introduction of domestic credit issuance in Ethiopia reflects a shift in both technology and policy, aimed at broadening access to formal financial services.
SanuPay intends to expand this model across the region, positioning itself as an example of how local fintech firms can work with international providers to strengthen Africa’s digital payments infrastructure.
“We have selected the best-in-class solution to provide best-in-class payment services in Ethiopia. By partnering with OpenWay and deploying Way4, SanuPay is enabling a new era of card issuing in Ethiopia and beyond, building resilient, scalable, and compliant infrastructure that supports Africa’s digital financial transformation,”
said Alfred Gachaga, CEO at SanuPay.
“This collaboration with SanuPay reflects our commitment to empowering innovative financial institutions across Africa,”
said Hermann Mike, Regional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa at OpenWay.
“By leveraging our Way4 platform, Ethiopia is not only launching its first domestic credit card but also laying the foundation for a modern, inclusive, and interoperable payments landscape. We’re proud to support SanuPay’s vision.”
Featured image credit: OpenWay
