American Express and Ecobank Group (www.Ecobank.com), the leading pan-African financial services Group, have announced an agreement to significantly expand the acceptance of American Express Cards in twenty-one countries across Africa.
Under this agreement, American Express Card Members will now be able to use their Cards in twelve new countries: Burundi, Central African Republic, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Niger, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Togo. Furthermore, the number of merchants accepting American Express Card payments will increase in nine additional countries where American Express is already accepted: Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The rollout of acceptance in these countries will occur over the next 12 months. Additionally, Ecobank will provide ATM acceptance for American Express in all the countries where they operate in Africa, with the exception of Cape Verde.
This agreement, unveiled at the African Development Bank Group Annual Meetings 2024, will enhance the American Express global network by expanding the locations where Card Members can utilize their American Express Cards in Sub-Saharan Africa. The agreement will also enable merchants to attract business from a new customer base of American Express consumer, business, and corporate Card Members in Africa and globally.
“We are thrilled to welcome American Express to our network, demonstrating our dedication to providing innovative payment solutions for customers throughout Africa,” said Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Group. “This agreement will bring benefits to American Express Card Members, giving them more options, and will assist merchants in expanding their businesses. It showcases the scalability of Ecobank’s unmatched borderless banking ecosystem and network across Africa.”
Mohammed Badi, President of Global Network Services at American Express, expressed, “This partnership with Ecobank marks a significant moment for American Express acceptance in Africa as it expands our presence in sub-Saharan Africa to 42 countries from the current 30. With Ecobank’s support, we anticipate providing merchants in these countries with access to high-spending American Express Card Members both within Africa and globally.”
This collaboration mirrors Ecobank’s Growth, Transformation, and Returns strategic plan. Ecobank is committed to delivering innovative and user-friendly financial solutions to its retail customers through its unified banking platform across Africa.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated.
Media Contacts:
For Ecobank Transnational Incorporated
Christiane Mbimbe Bossom
Phone: +228 22 21 03 03
E-mail: groupcorporatecomms@ecobank.com
About Ecobank Transnational Incorporated:
Ecobank Group is the preeminent pan-African financial services group with unparalleled African expertise. Operating in 35 sub-Saharan African countries, as well as France, UK, UAE, and China, its pan-African platform serves as a single gateway for payments, cash management, trade, and investments. With over 15,000 employees, the Group offers Consumer, Commercial, Corporate, and Investment Banking products, services, and solutions across various channels including digital, to over 32 million customers. For more information, visit www.Ecobank.com
About American Express:
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights, and experiences that enhance lives and promote business success. Learn more at www.AmericanExpress.com and connect with us on https://apo-opa.co/3Vjk3MB, https://apo-opa.co/3X033wr, https://apo-opa.co/455QBgr, https://apo-opa.co/3Vnlzh6, and https://apo-opa.co/4540VWb.
Key links to products, services, and corporate sustainability information: personal cards (https://apo-opa.co/4bzIYBj), business cards and services (https://apo-opa.co/4dYruQQ), travel services (https://apo-opa.co/4dRKtMO), gift cards (https://apo-opa.co/3VjkDtL), prepaid cards (https://apo-opa.co/3V00pEb), merchant services (https://apo-opa.co/4bUStuB), Business Blueprint (https://apo-opa.co/3yCrPZb), Resy (https://apo-opa.co/4bWB3hn), corporate card (https://apo-opa.co/4e0CCfZ), business travel (https://apo-opa.co/44XCLNj), diversity and inclusion (https://apo-opa.co/3R4lI6s), corporate sustainability (https://apo-opa.co/4bTI5Dx) and Environmental, Social, and Governance reports (https://apo-opa.co/4bTI5Dx).
American Express in Africa:
American Express products have been present in Africa for over 50 years, and its footprint in the region continues to grow. American Express consumer Cards and corporate Cards/solutions are issued in more than 40 countries across the region through its joint venture American Express Middle East (AEME), license agreements with financial institutions, and direct issuance of Global Dollar Cards. Through its licensees and AEME, American Express is dedicated to expanding the accessibility of places where local Cardmembers, international travelers, and local and international businesses can use their American Express Cards for daily spending, business, or tourism in the region.