Mobile money is taking a decisive step beyond domestic payments into real cross-border commerce. The partnership between Thunes and Vodacom Tanzania signals how telecom-led financial ecosystems like M-Pesa are evolving into global payment rails, giving small businesses direct access to international markets without relying on traditional banking infrastructure.
Thunes, a global cross-border payments network, has partnered with Vodacom Tanzania to launch a new M-Pesa Global Payment solution. This collaboration enables Vodacom customers in Tanzania to pay merchants in China and Uganda directly from their mobile devices, leveraging the Thunes Direct Global Network to bypass traditional banking barriers. The initiative targets the growing demand from Tanzanian traders and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who require secure, real-time tools to manage international commerce.
The solution provides direct interoperability between M-Pesa and major payment networks in two of Tanzania’s most critical trading corridors:
- China Integration: Payments can be sent to Chinese merchants via the Alipay network. In 2024, bilateral trade between Tanzania and China reached $8.8 billion.
- Uganda Integration: Payments to merchants in Uganda are facilitated via MTN MoMo. Trade between these two nations grew by 64% in 2024, totalling approximately $2.23 billion.
The service is accessible via the M-Pesa USSD menu or the M-Pesa Super App, offering a user-friendly alternative to costly, slow traditional payment methods. This is particularly significant in a market where a 2025 GeoPoll survey found that 94% of respondents use mobile money services.
Epimack Mbeteni, M-Pesa Director at Vodacom Tanzania, described the solution as a catalyst for economic empowerment, allowing local entrepreneurs to compete more effectively in regional and global markets. Dawei Wang, SVP Network at Thunes, added that the partnership accelerates international trade growth and supports the vision of connecting the next billion users to the global economy. By hyper-connecting Tanzania to global powerhouses like China and streamlining intra-African trade through Uganda, the Thunes and Vodacom alliance aims to dismantle cross-border barriers that have historically hindered small businesses. As the service scales throughout 2026, it is expected to reinforce M-Pesa’s position at the centre of Africa’s digital commerce future, providing millions of users with reliable, real-time financial tools.
What this means for the industry
- Mobile money becomes a global payments rail
M-Pesa is no longer just a domestic wallet. Integrations with networks like Alipay and MTN MoMo show how mobile money platforms are positioning themselves as viable alternatives to correspondent banking. - MSMEs gain direct access to global trade
Small businesses can now transact with suppliers in China and Uganda instantly, reducing reliance on intermediaries, lowering costs, and improving cash flow. - Cross-border payments are shifting toward real-time models
The use of Thunes’ network highlights growing demand for instant, transparent international payments, especially in emerging markets where delays can impact business operations. - Africa’s intra-regional trade infrastructure is strengthening
The Uganda corridor demonstrates how digital payments are enabling faster, more efficient trade within Africa, aligning with broader regional integration goals. - Telcos are deepening their role in financial services
Vodacom’s expansion reinforces how telecom operators are becoming central players in financial ecosystems, particularly in markets with high mobile money adoption. - Traditional banking rails face increasing competition
By bypassing legacy systems, partnerships like this challenge banks to rethink their role in cross-border payments, especially for underserved segments.
