African Verve cardholders now have an easier way to shop on Temu and pay in their local currencies, thanks to a new partnership between Verve International and the Chinese e-commerce platform. This move is a big win for shoppers who’ve struggled with international payment restrictions when buying from global online stores.

This isn’t Verve’s first major deal in e-commerce. Last year, the payment network teamed up with AliExpress, allowing customers to shop without needing a dollar card. At the time, an Interswitch executive hinted, “Temu is next.” Now, that promise has been fulfilled, putting Temu in direct competition with Jumia, Africa’s biggest homegrown e-commerce platform.

Making Global Shopping Easier

Temu has quickly become one of the largest online marketplaces, offering budget-friendly deals on fashion, electronics, home goods, and more. By enabling Verve payments, it’s removing a major barrier for African shoppers—no more worrying about currency conversions or needing internationally issued cards.

For Verve, this is another step in its global reach. The payment provider is already accepted on big-name platforms like Google, Netflix, Uber, and Spotify. Expanding to Temu further strengthens its position in cross-border commerce. Verve International’s Managing Director, Vincent Ogbunude, called the partnership a major milestone, saying, “Our recent addition of Temu to our growing network is a pointer to our relentless and unwavering commitment to break down barriers in global/cross border commerce.”

What This Means for Jumia

Jumia has long been Africa’s leading online marketplace, but with AliExpress and Temu both now accepting Verve, competition is heating up. Temu’s low prices and frequent free shipping deals make it an appealing alternative for budget-conscious shoppers.

Jumia, on the other hand, has been refining its strategy. Last year, it pulled out of South Africa and Tunisia to focus on markets with stronger growth potential. As it works towards profitability, it will need to find ways to stand out against rising international competition.

This deal with Temu likely won’t be Verve’s last. The company has been steadily expanding its international presence, and as more global brands look to tap into Africa’s growing e-commerce market, Verve will likely add even more platforms to its payment network.

For African shoppers, this means more options, fewer payment hurdles, and a smoother experience when buying from international stores.