Visa and Absa Bank Ghana Launch ABSA Pay, Ghana’s First Issuer Wallet

Ghana’s digital payments ecosystem marked a major milestone on Friday as global payments leader Visa, in partnership with Absa Bank Ghana, officially launched ABSA Pay, the country’s first issuer wallet powered by Visa’s Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.

The launch event, held at Ghud Park, Accra Mall, brought together key industry stakeholders, fintech players, media, and digital influencers to experience the future of seamless, contactless payments in Ghana.

Integrated directly into the Absa Mobile Banking App, ABSA Pay enables customers to make fast, secure, tap-to-pay transactions at NFC-enabled point-of-sale terminals across the country, eliminating the need for physical cards or cash.

Driving Ghana’s Contactless Payments Agenda

Speaking to Joy Business, Fabrice Konan, Country Director for Visa Ghana, highlighted the growing global shift toward contactless payments, noting that Ghana still has significant room to accelerate adoption.

“Across the world, contactless payments have become a preferred way to pay because of their speed, security, and convenience,” Konan said. “While Ghana has made progress, there is still more work to be done to drive widespread adoption. ABSA Pay represents a significant step forward in modernising our payments landscape and giving consumers a truly global payment experience right here at home.”He said

He added that Visa remains committed to partnering with local financial institutions to introduce innovative solutions that enhance financial inclusion and digital commerce.

Strengthening Partnerships for Customer Convenience

Also addressing guests, Charles Addo, Retail Banking Director at Absa Bank Ghana, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership with Visa and the bank’s focus on customer-centric innovation.

“At Absa, our goal is to offer products that fit seamlessly into our customers’ lives,” Addo said. “This partnership with Visa allows us to deliver a secure, convenient, and future-ready payment solution that responds directly to how our customers want to bank and pay today.”He stated

According to him, ABSA Pay reinforces Absa’s broader digital transformation agenda, positioning the bank as a leader in innovative retail banking solutions in Ghana.

A New Era of Tap-to-Pay in Ghana

The launch of ABSA Pay is expected to reshape Ghana’s digital payments narrative by increasing consumer awareness of contactless payments, driving adoption among merchants and customers, and strengthening the long-standing partnership between Visa and Absa Bank Ghana.

With mobile penetration on the rise and NFC-enabled terminals becoming more widespread, industry observers believe ABSA Pay could play a pivotal role in accelerating Ghana’s transition toward a cash-lite economy.