Visa and USAID Collaborate to Promote Inclusive Digital Government Ecosystems

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has announced a collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to promote open, secure, and inclusive digital government systems worldwide.

Building on USAID’s Digital Policy, Visa and USAID will work together for five years to develop programs that assist governments in creating and adopting platforms connecting constituents with local government services. This joint effort aims to foster economic development and growth in select markets by combining expertise in digital government systems, digital payments, and support for constituents and small-and-medium enterprises.

Visa and USAID are committed to supporting the development and adoption of foundational digital government systems that provide convenient and secure access to government services and digital payments. Initial focus regions include Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Caucasus, with plans for further expansion.

“Digital government systems can enhance transparency, efficiency, and create a more favorable environment for entrepreneurs and economic development,” said Chris Newkirk, Global Head of New Flows-Commercial & Money Movement Solutions at Visa. “Through collaboration, Visa and USAID will empower communities with digital and financial literacy and support access to digital systems that drive financial inclusion for everyone.”

“Effective digital development occurs when governments and the private sector work together towards a shared vision of an inclusive digital future,” stated Christopher Burns, USAID’s Chief Digital Development Officer and Director of the Technology Division. “We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Visa to drive digital financial inclusion for underserved consumers and enhance digital public infrastructure in emerging markets.”

This collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship between Visa, Visa Foundation, and USAID to promote digitization and financial inclusion globally. A recent example is Visa and USAID’s work with Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation to develop Diia, a mobile application that has connected millions of Ukrainians with government services. Additionally, Visa Foundation and USAID are founding members of the Climate Gender Equity Fund (CGEF), a flagship initiative of the Women in the Sustainable Economy (WISE) Initiative. Together, Visa and USAID aim to improve livelihoods, bolster economic opportunities, and close the gender digital divide in developing markets.