Fally Ipupa Named Visa Pay Brand Ambassador in DRC

Congolese music star Fally Ipupa has joined Visa as the new brand ambassador for Visa Pay in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Visa made the announcement in Kinshasa as it seeks to bring more consumers onto digital payment services and support the country's push towards a more cashless economy by 2027.

Ipupa will feature in Visa Pay advertising and digital campaigns, while also taking part in public events and community activities linked to the service. The partnership gives Visa access to one of the DRC's most recognisable entertainment figures as the company works to make digital payments more familiar to consumers.

Payment Service for Everyday Transactions

Visa Pay has been operating in the DRC since September 2025. The service brings several payment functions into a mobile platform, allowing customers to make purchases, receive money and transfer funds.

Customers can use the standalone Visa Pay application through the Apple App Store and Google Play. The service is also being integrated into the applications of participating banks, mobile operators and fintech companies.

The platform currently works with Access Bank, Sofibanque, Solidaire Banque and UBA. Customers using these institutions can create Visa Pay accounts and obtain a digital Visa card at no cost through the platform. Trust Merchant Bank Pepele customers can access the service through the Pepele application, while other financial institutions are working on integrations.

The digital card can be used for online purchases. Users can also transfer money to another Visa Pay customer using a mobile number, removing the need to exchange bank account details. For in-store purchases, customers with compatible phones can use contactless functionality at supported payment terminals.

Visa Looks to Culture to Drive Adoption

The partnership with Ipupa gives Visa another route to reach consumers who may not yet use digital payment services regularly.

Visa DRC Managing Director Sophie Kafuti said the musician's reach across Africa and the diaspora made him a natural partner for the campaign.

For Ipupa, the partnership connects his work in entertainment with the growing digital economy. He said he wants to encourage more Congolese consumers to explore digital services and the opportunities they can create.

The move also comes as Visa increases its work with banks, fintechs and mobile operators across African markets. In the DRC, the company is building Visa Pay around a simple proposition: consumers can access a digital card, make payments and move money from their phones without relying entirely on cash or physical cards.