Wave Sénégal has partnered with Ecobank and Visa to launch a virtual card solution aimed at accelerating e-commerce adoption in the West African nation.

The mobile money provider's new offering will enable its customers to make online purchases and digital payments, addressing a key barrier to e-commerce growth in Senegal where card penetration remains low.

Digital Payments Evolution

Wave has emerged as a dominant mobile money player in Senegal since its launch, offering peer-to-peer transfers and bill payments through its mobile app. The virtual card expansion marks the company's strategic push into digital commerce enablement.

The partnership leverages Ecobank's banking infrastructure and Visa's global payments network to provide Wave users with virtual cards that can be used for online transactions both domestically and internationally.

Regional Context

The launch comes amid growing momentum for digital financial services across West Africa, as fintechs and traditional banks seek to expand financial inclusion through mobile-first solutions.

Wave's virtual card initiative follows similar moves by regional fintechs to bridge the gap between mobile money systems and the broader digital payments ecosystem.