Visa Opens Its First African Data Center in Johannesburg as Part of $57 Million Investment Plan

U.S.-based global payments company Visa has announced the launch of its first data center in Africa, located in Johannesburg, South Africa, as part of a $57 million investment initiative spanning the next three years.

This milestone underscores South Africa’s leadership in the digital payments sector. According to Visa, more than 60% of in-store transactions in the country are now conducted using contactless payment methods, reflecting a strong shift toward digital financial solutions.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Michael Byrne, Visa’s Regional President for South and East Africa, stated:

“We are committed to the growth of Africa’s economy. Building this facility — one of the very few Visa data centers outside of our core locations in the U.S., the U.K., and Singapore — is a testament to that commitment.”

The new Johannesburg center will be integrated into VisaNet, Visa’s global network, which processes over 100 billion transactions annually across more than 200 countries. The aim is to accelerate transaction settlement times and enhance the reliability of digital payment services, not only in South Africa but across the entire African continent.

A Promising Outlook for Digital Payments in Africa

Africa’s digital payments market is expected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, driven by expanding internet access and rising financial inclusion rates. These trends are fostering rapid growth in the fintech sector and making the African market increasingly attractive to global investors.

In addition to Johannesburg, cities like Nairobi and Lagos are playing a key role in shaping Africa’s digital infrastructure. This growing momentum is encouraging more international players to enter the African market — a trend previously seen in Mastercard’s regional expansion.