The rollout starts in Tanzania and adds UnionPay payment options across tourism, retail and transport merchants as East Africa sees stronger Chinese tourism and trade links.
UnionPay International and Pesapal have formed a strategic partnership to broaden UnionPay card acceptance across Pesapal's Point-of-Sale (POS) merchant network, beginning in Tanzania and then extending to Rwanda. The launch adds UnionPay acceptance at more than 3,000 merchant locations across the two countries, spanning hospitality, retail, restaurants, transport, petroleum, lifestyle and SME merchants. Cardholders will be able to pay in stores using both contact and contactless tap-to-pay methods through Pesapal's EMV-compliant POS infrastructure. The companies said the expansion comes as East Africa records stronger Chinese tourism and deeper commercial ties, a backdrop that could help local merchants capture more cross-border consumer spending by reducing payment friction for international travellers and business visitors. Bupe Mwakalundwa, Country Manager at Pesapal Tanzania, said the move gives local businesses modern financial infrastructure to serve international travellers, while Feng Chen, General Manager UnionPay International Africa Region, said it would help merchants in Tanzania and Rwanda offer trusted and secure payment experiences to overseas visitors.