Verto, a leading B2B global payments platform, has launched the Verto Card in partnership with Visa to help African companies manage international transactions more efficiently. The corporate card is designed to fund, spend, and settle payments across multiple currencies without the hidden foreign exchange costs that have long constrained cross-border business. The announcement positions Verto to support a growing base of firms operating across global markets.
Launching a Multi-Currency Corporate Card
The Verto Card is accepted at more than 150 million merchants globally wherever Visa credit or debit cards are used. It lets businesses spend directly from their existing Verto currency balances, eliminating the need to move funds or convert money before each payment. Customers can access 11 currencies directly through their wallets and reach over 160 additional currencies through the Visa global payments network.
Reducing Foreign Exchange Friction
For many African companies, traditional corporate cards have been tied to a single settlement currency, which creates hidden exchange costs and rejected payments. The new card directly addresses these issues by using Visa commercial rails to deliver guaranteed acceptance across 11 currencies with indirect access to 160 more. Verto states that the card carries zero FX markups on 10 major currencies, helping businesses preserve profit margins and overcome local banking limitations.
Designed for Cross-Border Operations
The solution is aimed at African importers, exporters, technology firms, digital businesses, and professional services companies that manage international suppliers, subscriptions, and operational expenses. As companies across East Africa expand into new markets, the ability to move and manage money across borders becomes increasingly important. Verto says the card supports businesses that need payment infrastructure capable of keeping pace with increasingly global operations.
Security and Administrative Controls
Sensitive card data remains within Verto's platform, and every transaction is authenticated through 3D Secure verification using a one-time passcode or in-app confirmation. Businesses can set granular controls by date, time, and merchant category to oversee how corporate cards are used. These measures support secure transaction approval at the point of use while reducing exposure to misuse.
Executive Perspectives
Verto CEO and co-founder Ola Oyetayo said, "African businesses have been underserved by the card products that exist today." He noted that companies are often locked into a single currency, hit by undisclosed fees, or declined at checkout because their cards run on prepaid rails. Shahebaz Khan, Senior Vice President and Head of Commercial and Money Movement at Visa, said, "The future of business payments lies in solutions that combine global connectivity with local innovation."
White-Label Expansion and Future Roadmap
Looking ahead, Verto is positioning itself beyond direct payments by planning mobile wallet integrations through Google Pay. More strategically, the company intends to launch a Cards-as-a-Service offering on its Atlas infrastructure, allowing emerging African startups to issue branded corporate cards to their own users. This approach lowers the barrier to entry for new fintechs by removing the need to build complex regulatory compliance teams and negotiate directly with global card networks.
The launch of the Verto Card signals a broader shift toward multi-currency business payments that reflect how African companies actually operate across borders. By combining Visa's global settlement network with Verto's local insight, the partnership addresses hidden fees, payment failures, and limited currency flexibility. As Verto expands its embedded finance capabilities, the move could help more businesses and fintechs participate in global trade with greater confidence.