Skip to main content

Visa-AFRAA study provides insights for African Airlines on increasing revenue, reducing fraud, improving passenger experience, and enhancing operational efficiency.

May 19, 2025, Dubai, UAE and Nairobi, Kenya: 
In the highly competitive airline marketplace, the efficiency and security of payment systems are pivotal components that can significantly impact revenue streams. This is especially critical in the African region which holds tremendous potential for growth and improvement in financial performance. As airlines strive to enhance passenger experiences and streamline operations, the maturity of their payment systems becomes a key differentiator. 

To better understand the evolving landscape of airline payments in Africa and how African airlines can drive revenue growth, reduce fraud, enhance passenger experience and improve operational efficiencies, Visa and the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) conducted an Airline Payment Maturity Index survey. The survey, which was conducted on African airlines, but not limited to AFRAA member airlines- investigated the various stages of airline payment maturity. 

The survey findings highlighted the importance of robust payment architectures and the potential financial implications of underperforming systems. Based on the Airline Payment Maturity Index questionnaire results, several priorities have emerged for the entire airline industry in Africa. Airlines must enhance their payment systems to improve efficiency, reduce fraud, and unlock new revenue opportunities through advanced payment technologies and streamlined processes.

Some highlights from the survey:
On payment architecture, African airlines are currently prioritizing compliance, which is essential for maintaining standards. However, there is an opportunity to enhance operational efficiency through modernization efforts.
 There is significant potential to leverage digital tools more effectively to improve the passenger experience. Addressing broader execution challenges can help fully utilise these tools.
While the payment approval rate is moderate, fraud management can be improved to strengthen security measures and reduce vulnerabilities.
Organizational structure and business processes provide moderate support for payment systems. Enhancing the monitoring and utilization of payment KPIs can facilitate data-driven decision-making and strategic adjustments.

“At Visa, we recognize the critical role that efficient and secure payment systems play in the airline industry, particularly in Africa where there is immense potential for growth. The findings from our survey with AFRAA underscore the need for modernization and robust fraud management to enhance operational efficiency and passenger experience. We are committed to supporting African airlines in their journey towards achieving these goals and unlocking new revenue opportunities through advanced payment technologies”, commented Michael Berner, Head of Southern and East Africa, Visa

AFRAA Secretary General, Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé remarked:
“We are pleased to have conducted the airline payments survey with Visa under the framework of AFRAA Partnership programme. The insights from the survey form important inputs for airlines’ strategic decisions on ways they can leverage enhanced payments performance to bolster revenue growth, decrease fraud, increase passenger experience and augment operational efficiency. We look forward to subsequent engagements with airlines through workshops and other avenues on specific support areas.” 

A whitepaper has been published detailing the outcomes of the survey, and a presentation will be made by Visa experts at the forthcoming Aviation Stakeholders Convention on May 12th in Kigali, Rwanda. AFRAA and Visa will also host a workshop for African airlines later this year on the same subject.  

Comments

Post a Comment

good

Popular posts from this blog

Records Digitization Failures Risk Digital Kenya; Urges ICT-Records Unity.

Ms. Mary Kerema, OGW, Secretary ICT e-government and Digital Economy. Nairobi, Kenya - July 16, 2025.   Ms. Mary Kerema, OGW, delivering remarks on behalf of Eng. John Tanui, MBS, the Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy , issued a blunt assessment today, government efforts to digitize critical records are failing, risking the paralysis of Kenya's broader digital transformation agenda. Speaking to ICT Directors and various stakeholders at a breakfast meeting hosted by the Kenya Association of Records Managers and Archivists (KARMA) at the Serena Hotel, Kerema conveyed the PS's deep concern over the " significantly low" progress made since the Ministry directed State Corporations to adopt paperless systems in March 2023. She emphasized that the core problem identified by the PS is not funding, but a critical deficit in expertise, infrastructure, and a widespread underestimation of the domain's complexity, a complexity interwoven with leg...
Post a Comment
Read more

Wisdom, Not War, WADR Chair Calls for National Shift in Conflict Resolution.

    Women in Alternative Dispute Resolution (WADR Kenya), led by Chairperson Eunice Lumallas(middle). NAIROBI, Kenya  July 16, 2025.  Amidst escalating tensions across Kenya's political, social, and economic sectors, Women in Alternative Dispute Resolution (WADR Kenya), led by its Chair Eunice Lumallas,  has issued a powerful call for nationwide adoption of peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms. Lumallas, emphasizing Kenya stands at a "critical juncture," warned that unchecked disputes threaten to erode hard-won gains in governance, entrepreneurship, innovation, and the rule of law, jeopardizing national unity, business confidence, investment, and the hope of Kenyans. Representing diverse stakeholders, WADR Kenya passionately argued that choosing hostility leads to collective loss, while reasoned dialogue allows everyone to rise and gain. Chair Lumallas urged all Kenyans to prioritize empathy and actively embrace dialogue, mediation, conciliation,...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kenyan Religious Leaders Issue Urgent Plea to "Stop Destroying Our Country" Amid Escalating Crisis.

    NAIROBI, Kenya, July 9, 2025.  In a powerful intervention, Kenya’s Inter-Religious Council (IRCK) has demanded an immediate end to state-sponsored violence and political exploitation tearing the nation apart. Following a three-day emergency retreat in Nairobi, Christian, Muslim, and Hindu leaders issued a stark warning that the country is in a "very sad and dangerous state," blaming dominant political elites for fueling unprecedented tensions through their fight to " acquire, protect and consolidate power."   The council condemned the government’s handling of protests against the 2024 Finance Bill, accusing the state of degenerating legitimate discontent into " murderous chaos" marked by extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, abductions, and destruction of public property. It called on President William Ruto’s administration to prosecute senior officials linked to violence and financial scandals, insisting this is essential to resto...
Post a Comment
Read more