Millions of Verve cardholders across Africa can now shop on Temu and pay directly in their local currencies, thanks to a new partnership between Verve International and the Chinese e-commerce giant. This move simplifies cross-border transactions for African shoppers, many of whom have faced payment restrictions when shopping internationally.
The integration follows Verve’s deal with AliExpress last year, which allowed its cardholders to make purchases without needing a dollar card. At the time, an Interswitch executive told Condia that “Temu is next.” Now, that statement has become a reality, putting Temu in further competition with Jumia, Africa’s largest homegrown e-commerce platform.
Expanding access to global e-commerce
Temu has rapidly grown into one of the world’s biggest online marketplaces, offering products across fashion, electronics, home goods, and more at highly competitive prices. By integrating Verve, the platform is making it easier for African shoppers to pay without the usual currency conversion hassles or the need for internationally issued cards.
For Verve, this is another step in its global expansion. Already accepted on platforms like Google, Netflix, Uber, and Spotify, Verve continues to push the boundaries of where and how its users can make payments.
Vincent Ogbunude, Managing Director of Verve International, described the partnership as a major milestone. “Our recent addition of Temu to our growing network is a pointer to our relentless and unwavering commitment to break down barriers in global/cross border commerce,” he said.
What does this mean for Jumia?
Jumia has been Africa’s go-to online marketplace for years, but with AliExpress and now Temu accepting Verve cards, competition is getting serious. Temu’s aggressive pricing and free shipping on many products already make it a tempting alternative.
Jumia has been focusing on its most promising markets with higher growth potential. Last year, it exited South Africa and Tunisia to concentrate its resources on markets showing stronger growth as it continues its push toward profitability.
What’s next for Verve?
This partnership is unlikely to be Verve’s last. The company has been steadily growing its international acceptance, and as more global merchants tap into Africa’s growing e-commerce market, Verve will be looking to bring even more players into its payment network.
For African consumers, this means more choices, easier payments, and fewer hurdles when shopping internationally.
