Thunes, Vodacom Tanzania enable cross-border M-Pesa payments

By Aarav Garg

Thunes has partnered with Vodacom Tanzania to launch a cross-border payment capability through the M-Pesa Global Payment solution, enabling Tanzanian users to pay merchants in Uganda and China directly from their mobile phones.

The initiative addresses long-standing friction in cross-border trade, where small businesses and traders have relied on slower, higher-cost or informal payment channels. By leveraging Thunes’ Direct Global Network, the solution enables real-time, digital payments, positioning mobile money as a viable alternative to traditional banking rails for international transactions.

Epimack Mbeteni, M-Pesa Director at Vodacom Tanzania said, “This is more than just a payment feature, it is a catalyst for economic empowerment and a gateway for small and medium businesses and entrepreneurs in Tanzania to compete and thrive in regional and global markets. Through Thunes’ expansive and trusted Network we are enabling seamless, secure, and affordable cross-border payments that empower people, fuel trade and place M-Pesa at the center of Africa’s digital commerce future.”

The service connects Tanzania to two key trade corridors. Payments to Uganda are enabled via MTN MoMo, while transactions to China are routed through the Alipay network, accessible through the M-Pesa USSD interface or the M-Pesa Super App. The integration is designed to simplify payment workflows while maintaining security and transaction traceability.

Dawei Wang, SVP Network at Thunes, added, “Vodacom Tanzania joining the Thunes Direct Global Network to digitise cross-border payments is a game changer for local businesses. By combining Vodacom’s technology with Thunes’ trusted and proprietary Network, Tanzanian customers can pay partners in China and Uganda in real time. This innovation accelerates interoperability along with international trade and business growth and supports our vision of connecting the next billion end users to the global economy.”

Mobile money adoption in Tanzania remains high, with a 2025 GeoPoll survey indicating that 94% of respondents use such services. This creates a strong foundation for scaling cross-border capabilities through existing digital infrastructure.

The collaboration underscores the role of embedded payments and network-based interoperability in enabling financial inclusion. By linking domestic mobile money systems with international merchant networks, Thunes and Vodacom Tanzania are extending the utility of mobile wallets beyond local payments into global commerce.