Ethiopian Airlines and Visa have announced an agreement to expand co-branded payment card products, strengthening a long-standing partnership between Africa’s largest airline and one of the world’s leading digital payments companies.
The deal, announced on 29 April 2026, aims to drive greater adoption of co-branded Visa cards among Ethiopian Airlines passengers, offering more seamless, secure and rewarding ways to pay for travel and everyday purchases.
Under the agreement, the two companies will work together to boost customer engagement, promote digital payments and support Ethiopian Airlines’ expanding route network. The collaboration will also cover marketing initiatives and innovation across the full travel journey, from booking and payment through to loyalty programmes.
Visa’s global payment network will underpin secure cross-border transactions for both local and international travelers flying with the carrier, which currently serves more than 145 destinations worldwide with a fleet of over 170 aircraft.
“Travel and payments are intrinsically linked, and this collaboration reflects our shared commitment to simplifying how customers pay and travel,” said Yared Endale, Cluster Head Eastern Africa, Visa. “By deepening our relationship with Ethiopian Airlines, we are supporting the evolution of digital payments while helping deliver more value, convenience and choice to travelers across the region.”
Ethiopian Airlines Group Marketing Vice President Rahel Assefa said the airline continuously works to give passengers a wider range of options to access its services.
“Our collaboration with Visa aims to further enhance payment options for our customers and increase convenience during every payment,” she said.
Ethiopian Airlines is a Star Alliance member and has won the SKYTRAX Best Airline in Africa award for eight consecutive years. The carrier connects Africa to major global destinations and has positioned itself as a driver of both intra-African and transcontinental air connectivity.
Visa facilitates more than 215 billion payment transactions each year across more than 200 countries and territories. The company said the Ethiopian Airlines agreement forms part of its broader effort to develop secure and inclusive payment solutions supporting commerce and cros
