Zoyk Partners with Visa to Launch Interoperable Digital Payment Solution for Zambia and the SADC Region
Zoyk has officially launched a strategic partnership with Visa through Visa Direct to introduce a new interoperable digital payment solution designed to transform money movement across Zambia and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
The announcement was made during an official launch event attended by fintech leaders, government representatives, payment infrastructure experts, and regional stakeholders focused on accelerating digital financial inclusion and regional interoperability. The partnership marks a significant milestone in Zambia’s evolving digital economy, bringing together global payment infrastructure and locally built fintech capabilities to support faster, more secure, and more accessible financial services across the region.
The newly launched Zoyk Visa Direct Account and Wallet Partnership integrates Visa Direct capabilities with mobile money platforms, bank accounts, merchant wallets, agent networks, and Visa cards into a unified digital ecosystem. The platform is designed to simplify person-to-person payments, merchant transactions, wallet interoperability, and cross-border money movement while supporting SMEs, enterprises, traders, and underserved communities with improved access to digital financial services.
The launch event was opened by Program Director Makondo Mukando, who introduced a distinguished lineup of speakers addressing the broader significance of the partnership for Zambia’s financial ecosystem and regional digital transformation agenda.
Chembo Sumbwe, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Zoyk, described the partnership as a major step forward in building an inclusive financial infrastructure capable of connecting fragmented payment systems into a seamless digital environment.
“This partnership represents a significant milestone in expanding interoperable financial infrastructure across Zambia and the region,” said Sumbwe. “By connecting wallets, bank accounts, mobile money services, merchant ecosystems, and Visa Direct capabilities, we are creating a framework that allows businesses and consumers to move money more efficiently, securely, and confidently.”
Clive Nabale, co-founder and CEO of Zoyk, emphasized that the company’s long-term vision extends beyond payments toward enabling broader regional digital integration.
“Our vision is to build interoperable payment rails that support financial inclusion, regional trade, and Zambia’s broader digital transformation agenda,” Nabale said. “We believe infrastructure plays a critical role in unlocking long-term economic participation across both urban and underserved communities.”
The platform is expected to enable real-time transactions and seamless digital payment experiences through multiple access channels, including mobile applications, USSD functionality, agent-assisted services, merchant payment systems, and digital wallets. By combining local fintech infrastructure with Visa’s global payment network, the partnership aims to strengthen cross-border transaction capabilities throughout the SADC region while improving operational efficiency for businesses and consumers alike.
Salome Makau, Head of Cluster for Central Southern Africa at Visa, highlighted the importance of combining international payment systems with locally embedded digital ecosystems to support sustainable regional growth.
“Digital interoperability is becoming increasingly important for Africa’s financial future,” Makau said during the launch event. “Partnerships that combine global infrastructure with localized innovation create stronger opportunities for financial inclusion, regional connectivity, and scalable economic participation.”
Viveka Govender, Head of Visa Direct South East Africa, added that the collaboration reflects Visa’s broader commitment to supporting secure and efficient digital commerce across the continent.
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to enabling secure, fast, and reliable payment solutions that improve financial inclusion and support cross-border commerce throughout Africa,” Govender said.
The event also featured a keynote address from Percy Chinyama, National Coordinator at the SMART Zambia E-Government Division, who spoke about the role of interoperable digital infrastructure in supporting Zambia’s national digital transformation priorities. According to the company, the platform has been developed in alignment with Bank of Zambia regulatory requirements and international payment security standards. The infrastructure includes integrated fraud management systems, KYC verification processes, transaction monitoring capabilities, and consumer protection measures designed to ensure safe and compliant digital financial services.
As digital adoption accelerates across Southern Africa, the partnership positions Zoyk as an emerging regional financial infrastructure provider focused on enabling long-term cashless ecosystem development and regional interoperability. The initiative also reflects broader momentum across Africa’s fintech sector, where governments, payment providers, and infrastructure companies are increasingly prioritizing connected financial ecosystems capable of supporting both domestic and cross-border digital commerce.
For Zoyk, the launch represents the beginning of a larger mission to strengthen digital accessibility and financial participation across the region. Now the focus shifts toward making Zambia’s financial system more accessible, secure, and fully digital.
About Zoyk
Zoyk is a Zambia-based fintech company and a portfolio company of Velex Investments, building interoperable digital financial infrastructure for consumers, businesses, and institutions across Africa. Through integrated payment solutions that connect mobile money, bank accounts, wallets, agent networks, and global payment systems, Zoyk enables secure, accessible, and inclusive financial services. The company is focused on advancing financial inclusion, strengthening regional connectivity, and accelerating digital transformation across Zambia and the broader SADC region. For more information, visit zoyk.co.zm.
Media Contact
Chembo Sumbwe
chembo.sumbwe@zoykgroup.com