VISA UNVEILS AI, STABLECOIN TOOLS TO BOOST DIGITAL COMMERCE

Global payments giant Visa has introduced new artificial intelligence and stablecoin capabilities designed to enhance digital commerce and payments across Africa.

The innovations include tools for agentic commerce, where AI agents can securely initiate and complete transactions, alongside expanded stablecoin settlement options for faster, more efficient cross-border money movement.

In the CEMEA region, tokenized transactions have grown significantly, while stablecoin settlement volumes have increased nearly 60-fold since launch. Visa is also advancing tokenized deposits to enable programmable digital money while maintaining traditional banking safeguards.

These developments aim to support merchants, banks, and fintechs in building trusted, automated experiences amid rising demand for seamless digital payments. Partnerships with players like OpenAI further integrate AI into everyday commerce.

Industry observers view the moves as strategic positioning for Africa’s fast-growing digital economy, where mobile money and fintech innovation continue to expand rapidly.