Mastercard Signs Payment Expansion Agreements in Ethiopia

Mastercard announced two new partnership agreements in Ethiopia on April 9, 2026, aimed at expanding digital payment infrastructure in the country. The first is a reseller agreement with StarPay, which will help extend Mastercard's acceptance network across Ethiopian merchants. The second is a digital finance partnership with Choice Microfinance, targeting broader financial inclusion through digital payment capabilities for underserved populations.

Ethiopia, with one of Africa's largest unbanked populations, represents a significant growth opportunity for embedded payment solutions. Mastercard's dual-agreement approach combines merchant payment acceptance expansion with microfinance-level digital finance, addressing both the supply and demand sides of the payments ecosystem. Financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

The deals underscore Mastercard's strategic commitment to scaling embedded finance infrastructure across African markets.