Advanced and compliant payment systems can help African airlines drive revenue growth, reduce fraud, enhance the passenger experience, and improve operational efficiency – ultimately enabling them to compete more effectively in the global aviation market.
In this paper, Visa Consulting and Analytics offers in-depth analysis of the evolving landscape of airline payments across the African continent. Developed in partnership with the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), the study assesses the maturity of payment systems across key dimensions – including payment strategy, architecture, passenger experience, commercial performance, and internal readiness.
Our findings point to a moderate level of strategic alignment, with clear opportunities for modernization, particularly in payment infrastructure and digital engagement. The report also spotlights critical gaps in fraud management, chargeback processes, and the tracking of payment-related KPIs.
By addressing these challenges, the paper underscores the significance for African airlines to adopt more advanced, secure, and compliant payment ecosystems – unlocking new revenue streams, enhancing consumer trust, and driving greater operational resilience in an increasingly competitive global aviation market.