African fintech Union54 launches new social commerce platform ChitChat

  • Union54, a fintech based in Zambia, has introduced a new social commerce app named ChitChat, in collaboration with global payments giant Mastercard.
  • ChitChat is heralded as Africa’s first secure chat platform with integrated digital wallet features, enabling users to communicate via encrypted chat and conduct money transfers through its digital wallet functionalities.
  • The app facilitates immediate USD payment transfers directly within chat conversations, offering users the convenience of in-app currency conversion between USD and Zambian Kwacha (ZMW).
  • Perseus Mlambo, CEO of Union54, emphasizes ChitChat’s commitment to being a safe, secure, and sovereign platform for social commerce, with ambitions to accelerate commerce across Africa.
  • Union54 plans to enhance ChitChat’s capabilities rapidly, with upcoming features including group wallets to be rolled out in the coming weeks. Additionally, by the second quarter of the year, the firm aims to provide users with USD debit cards.
Laura M
Laura M
Laura is a financial reporter, editor, and researcher with a particular interest in fintech innovation, capital markets, and the evolving global banking landscape.

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