Kora Partners with IATA to Streamline Airline Payment Processing Across Africa

The payment infrastructure platform Kora has joined the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Financial Gateway (IFG), creating a unified pathway for airlines to access Africa’s diverse payment ecosystem.

Simplifying Cross-Border Transactions

This integration enables airlines and travel agencies utilizing IFG to accept payments throughout Africa—including card transactions, bank transfers, mobile money solutions, and various local alternative methods—through a single connection. Previously, companies faced fragmented payment rails, FX complexities, and disconnected settlement systems when operating across multiple African markets like Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, and South Africa.

Addressing a Growing Market Need

Africa represents one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, projected to add over 300 million new passengers by 2050. This partnership addresses a critical operational challenge for global airlines seeking to expand into the region: navigating complex payment infrastructures.

“Africa is not a market to figure out later; it’s a growth opportunity that demands robust infrastructure today,” stated Dickson Nsofor, CEO of Kora. “Our collaboration with IATA demonstrates that the rails are ready—airlines can now access both expansion and streamlined payments through a single connection.”

Strengthening Industry Partnerships

The addition of Kora to IFG expands the platform’s capabilities for airlines operating in or seeking to enter African markets. With IATA representing over 370 international carriers, this integration provides direct access to Africa’s payment stack across multiple countries.

“Kora’s participation strengthens our ability to serve airlines expanding into African markets,” added Kamil Al-Awadhi, Regional Vice President at IATA. “It enables increased payment flexibility and a cost-effective strategy for managing transactions across the continent.”

This partnership represents a significant step toward modernizing Africa’s financial infrastructure and facilitating greater connectivity between global businesses and local economies.