Visa, the exclusive digital payment service provider of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021, is marking this year’s competition in Cameroon by creating new one-of-a-kind experiences for cardholders and football fans and looking to further help expand access to the financial system in Africa.
Visa is a global payments technology company that connects the world through the most innovative, reliable, and secure payment network – enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. The company currently serves 18 Francophone and Portuguese speaking countries in Western and Central Africa and is present across all subregions in Africa, including 13 markets in East Africa. In close partnership with governments, financial institutions, and small businesses, Visa is committed to helping accelerate economic transformation by enabling access to digital payments on the continent.
Visa is offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience for lucky Cameroonian children aged between 8-12, accompanied by a guardian, the opportunity to participate in the Player Escort Programme and walk out on the field before the AFCON matches with a professional football player. These spaces are being allocated through a series of activities including promotions with Visa and a partnership with Green Girls, an organization that trains African girls on how to generate energy from the sun and waste in rural communities. Additionally, Visa cardholders and football fans who visit the stadium during the tournament in Cameroon and pay with their Visa credentials have an opportunity to win unique AFCON memorabilia signed by international soccer star, Didier Drogba.
Aida Diarra, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa for Visa said: “Visa has a long history of supporting world-class football and this association builds on our mission to bring the best of our sponsorship experience to Africa. We are thrilled to offer Cameroonians and Africans a unique opportunity to enjoy all the excitement of AFCON, and to be the exclusive payments provider at this exciting tournament.
Africans love football and our sponsorship allows us to bring that passion together and support local business throughout the region. It also provides us with an exceptional platform to deliver the benefits of Visa’s payment technology to our local communities, clients, partners and fans as we all come together to support the best of African football” Diarra added.
Visa began its partnership with the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) in 2018 to support for the AFCON tournament in 2019 and 2021. Visa is the exclusive digital payment provider at all venues during the football tournament and the preferred payment option for tickets bought both in-person and online. Visa will also connect football’s most passionate and engaged audiences in the African continent through its powerful payment network and create unique and unforgettable experiences for African soccer fans.
The Africa Cup of Nations is a biennial international men’s football championship of Africa, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This edition of the tournament is scheduled to take place from 9 January to 6 February 2022.
