Visa, M-Pesa and Onafriq Launch Stablecoin Payment Pilot in DR Congo to Transform African Cross-Border Transactions
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become the latest testing ground for blockchain-powered payments in Africa, as global payments giant Visa, mobile money leader M-Pesa, and pan-African payments company Onafriq launch a new stablecoin settlement pilot aimed at improving cross-border transactions.
The initiative will test whether stablecoins, digital currencies pegged to stable assets such as the US dollar, can make international money transfers faster, cheaper, and more efficient than traditional banking systems.
Why the DRC Was Chosen for the Stablecoin Pilot
The DRC presents a unique opportunity for financial innovation due to its rapidly growing mobile money market and large population of unbanked citizens. Mobile financial services have expanded significantly in recent years, creating demand for more efficient cross-border payment systems.
The pilot builds on Visa‘s recent expansion in the country, including the launch of Visa Pay, which connects traditional bank cards with mobile money wallets.
How the Stablecoin System Will Work
Instead of relying solely on banks and multiple financial intermediaries, the pilot uses blockchain-based stablecoins to settle transactions between countries. This approach could reduce transaction costs, minimize settlement delays, and improve accessibility for businesses and consumers.
For M-Pesa users, the technology could eventually provide:
| Potential Benefit | Expected Impact |
|---|---|
| Faster transfers | Reduced settlement times |
| Lower remittance costs | Cheaper cross-border payments |
| Easier wallet funding | Improved mobile money access |
| Better international transactions | Expanded financial inclusion |
Visa’s Growing Interest in Stablecoins
The DRC initiative is part of Visa’s broader strategy to expand stablecoin adoption globally. In 2025, Visa partnered with African fintech company Yellow Card to explore stablecoin applications across treasury operations and international settlements.
M-Pesa has also increased its blockchain ambitions after partnering with a UAE-based company earlier this year to develop stablecoin-powered financial services.
What This Means for African Payments
Onafriq, which connects hundreds of millions of bank accounts and mobile wallets across Africa, will provide the payment infrastructure supporting the pilot.
For Safaricom and Vodacom, owners of M-Pesa, the project represents another step toward transforming M-Pesa from a mobile wallet service into a regional financial platform. If successful, stablecoin settlements could eventually expand across multiple African markets, fundamentally changing how businesses, traders, and families move money across the continent.
