News / Infrastructure, Cloud & Telecom
Vodafone and Digital Virgo Join Forces to Secure Mobile Payments in Africa and Europe Published on 28 September 2026 by Christ-loisele (3 min read)
Vodafone and Digital Virgo have announced a collaboration to integrate standardized network APIs into mobile payment systems, thereby strengthening security and trust in Africa and Europe. This initiative aims to replace outdated authentication methods with faster and more secure solutions, such as Number Verify.
An Alliance for Safer and Smoother Mobile Payments
On September 28, 2026, Vodafone and Digital Virgo formalized a partnership aimed at accelerating the adoption of secure mobile payments in Europe and Africa, through the integration of Open Gateway Network APIs . This collaboration relies on operator identities, enhanced authentication, and fraud prevention, features already deployed by Digital Virgo with over 300 merchants and 150 operators worldwide.
Concretely, Vodafone will make its Network APIs available through standardized interfaces compliant with GSMA Open Gateway and CAMARA standards. These APIs will include tools such as KYC Match (identity verification) and SIM Swap (protection against fraudulent SIM card changes), while replacing SMS OTP (one-time codes) with the Number Verify system, which is faster and less prone to impersonation.
The telecom industry enters an era where network capabilities become programmable, standardized, and accessible via APIs
Logo: Vodafone (Giov.c, Public domain) Initial deployment targeting five markets, including South Africa
The partnership will begin in five countries: Germany, Greece, Spain, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. This selection reflects a strategy that is both European and African, with a particular focus on economies where mobile payments are rapidly expanding. Vodafone, present in 15 countries and partnered with over 40 others, provides extensive network coverage, while Digital Virgo, active in 60 countries, ensures rapid integration with local players.
According to Johanna Wood , Director of Network APIs at Vodafone, this collaboration allows us to « make our secure network capabilities accessible to a greater number of businesses through standardized APIs. » An approach that aligns with a broader trend: the programmability and standardization of telecom infrastructures, as explained by Stéphanie Sollinger , Commercial Director at Digital Virgo for Europe and Canada: « The telecom industry enters an era where network capabilities become programmable, standardized, and accessible via APIs. »
What this changes here: opportunities for African operators and merchants
For businesses and administrations in Benin and West Africa, this initiative could simplify the integration of secure mobile payment solutions , reducing fraud-related costs and improving the customer experience. Local operators, often facing trust challenges in mobile transactions, could benefit from these APIs to offer more reliable services, such as bill payments or microtransactions.
Moreover, the adoption of standards such as GSMA Open Gateway could facilitate partnerships between operators and fintechs , accelerating the development of innovative services. For example, e-commerce platforms or mobile banks could integrate these APIs to offer instant authentication and enhanced protection against identity fraud, a major issue in a context where cybercrime increasingly targets digital transactions.
Finally, this collaboration could serve as a model for African regulators, who are seeking to harmonize mobile payment security frameworks. If operators like Vodafone extend these solutions to other markets, this could push local players to adopt similar standards , thereby strengthening the resilience of regional digital ecosystems.
A changing ecosystem: other sector announcements
Meanwhile, the telecoms and mobile payments sector is seeing other major moves. Apax is set to acquire Odido , a key player in mobile payments in the Netherlands with 7.5 million customers, for an estimated amount of €6.5 billion (US$7.4 billion), according to Light Reading . This transaction could strengthen Odido’s position in the European market while expanding its influence in digital monetization solutions.
On the network innovation front, Ericsson is advancing its plans for 6G in Japan, with agreements reached with Murata Manufacturing and Sumitomo Electric Industries to improve the performance and energy efficiency of infrastructure. While these developments are focused on Asia, they could ultimately inspire similar investments in Africa, where demand for ultra-fast, low-power connectivity is growing alongside the rise of connected devices.
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