Mastercard and Flash Collaborate to Broaden Access to Digital Payments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mastercard and Flash, a fintech company in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), announced a strategic collaboration whereby Flash will issue physical and virtual prepaid cards,  extending its payment services beyond aggregation and giving its users the ability to pay online and at point-of-sale terminals.

The collaboration marks a significant step in expanding access to secure, convenient digital payment solutions in the DRC, a country of over 100 million people where demand for accessible financial services continues to grow. By integrating Mastercard prepaid cards into FlashApp, Flash users will be able to complement the platform’s existing suite of services with the reach and security of a globally accepted payment network.

Jonathan Johannesen, CEO, Flash, said “Partnering with Mastercard is a defining step in Flash’s mission to modernize payments infrastructure in Central Africa. This collaboration allows us to bridge cash and digital economies at scale, unlocking access to card-based financial services for millions of users who have historically been excluded. It’s about building rails for the next generation of financial inclusion.”

Flash currently serves more than three million customers through a nationwide network of 4,000 agents and 160 agencies across the DRC and Republic of Congo.

Through FlashApp, its proprietary super app available on Google Play and the App Store, users can access over 27 financial services including mobile money, remittances, merchant payments, and bill payments. The addition of Mastercard prepaid cards is expected to augment this ecosystem by enabling cardholders to transact online and in-store, bridging the gap between cash-based and digital economies.

“This collaboration with Flash reflects Mastercard’s continued commitment to expanding access to secure and inclusive digital payment solutions across the DRC. By combining Flash’s strong local presence with Mastercard’s global network, the collaboration aims to enable more people and businesses to participate confidently in the digital economy and support the country’s ongoing financial inclusion journey.” Mohamed Benomar, country manager for North West Africa at Mastercard.