UnionPay International has chosen Morocco as its base for Africa after its local subsidiary received Casablanca Finance City status. The status places the company inside the Casablanca Finance City framework, which offers regulatory and tax support for companies expanding across Africa.
UnionPay will run its African payment and innovation projects from Casablanca. The company aims to improve services for partners and users across several African markets using Morocco’s financial infrastructure.
UnionPay operates in 183 countries and territories. It has more than 80 million acceptance points and 1.8 million ATMs outside mainland China.
Its mobile payment and QR code systems operate in more than 100 countries. Over 200 e-wallets in 37 countries accept UnionPay cards. The Casablanca hub strengthens Morocco’s role in international finance and supports the growth of digital payments in Africa.
In March 2026, Casablanca ranked 49th in the Global Financial Centres Index. It is the top financial centre in Africa, ahead of Johannesburg.
The expansion follows wider Chinese technology investment in Morocco. ZTE Corporation partnered with Damane Cash to upgrade mobile wallet services using artificial intelligence and cloud technology. The projects aim to improve financial access in remote areas.
UnionPay accounts for about 36 percent of global card transactions. Africa’s mobile money market remains competitive. Services such as M-Pesa hold more than 90 percent market share in some countries, including Kenya.
Africa had more than 560 million mobile money users in 2025. UnionPay aims to connect global card systems with local mobile wallets through its Casablanca hub.
In late 2025, Casablanca Finance City signed a memorandum of understanding with the Beijing Financial Street Service Bureau to connect Chinese investment with African markets. UnionPay’s new status follows this agreement.
