African payment infrastructure company Kora has strengthened its position in the continent’s digital payments landscape after joining the International Air Transport Association’s IATA Financial Gateway, a move expected to make it easier for global airlines to accept and process payments across African markets through a single integrated platform.
The partnership connects airlines and travel agencies using the IATA Financial Gateway to Kora’s payment infrastructure, enabling them to accept payments through cards, bank transfers, mobile money services and other local payment methods across several African countries. The integration is designed to eliminate the need for airlines to manage multiple payment service providers and complex technical connections in different markets, a challenge that has long complicated expansion efforts across the continent.
With Africa projected to add more than 300 million new air passengers by 2050, industry stakeholders see seamless payment systems as critical to unlocking the sector’s growth potential. Global carriers operating in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt and South Africa have often faced hurdles ranging from fragmented payment networks and foreign exchange complexities to disconnected settlement systems. By integrating with IATA’s payment gateway, Kora provides airlines with a single access point to its African payment infrastructure while ensuring compliance with local regulations and settlement requirements.
Commenting on the development, Kora Chief Executive Officer, Dickson Nsofor, described Africa as a major growth opportunity that requires robust infrastructure to support international business. The company noted that its inclusion in the IATA Financial Gateway gives more than 370 airlines represented by the association access to its payment network across the continent. The collaboration is expected to improve payment acceptance rates, reduce operational costs and support the growing demand for air travel services in Africa, while reinforcing the continent’s role in the future of global aviation.