Visa and Kenya Airways have announced a strategic partnership to launch co-branded credit and debit cards, a move aimed at deepening digital payment adoption in the airline sector and offering new perks to travelers.
- •The agreement will see the two companies roll out cards that integrate travel-related rewards with everyday spending, including points that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other services.
- •Cardholders will also gain access to benefits such as priority boarding, lounge entry, and increased baggage allowances.
- •While framed as a customer experience upgrade, the initiative also signals a commercial pivot by Kenya Airways, which has been seeking new streams of ancillary revenue amid ongoing financial pressures.
“We are excited to join forces with Visa to deliver modern digital payment options that improve every step of the journey, from booking to boarding. This partnership reflects our shared goal of transforming travel with technology, and we look forward to providing great value to our customers worldwide,” Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, Kenya Airways said.
For Visa, the partnership provides a foothold in East Africa’s travel and fintech crossover space, where mobile-first consumers are driving a shift in how payments are made. The card program is expected to go live later this year. Kenya Airways and Visa will manage distribution and user onboarding jointly, targeting frequent flyers as well as new customers seeking bundled travel and payment solutions.
“This co-brand agreement reflects our commitment to enhancing the customer experience and promoting the adoption of digital payments in the travel industry,” Chad Pollock, Vice President and GM, Visa East Africa said.
Though the cards come with travel-related promotions and discounts, the long-term impact will likely depend on adoption beyond elite travelers, especially in a region where cash still dominates many everyday transactions.
Both companies are entering a competitive space. Local banks, fintechs, and global payment providers are already targeting travel-related spending through mobile wallets, airline partnerships, and buy-now-pay-later offers.
