The deal will provide Barclaycard with additional business, while enabling American Express to extend its service ability in the select African countries. The service will commence in Kenya on May 1 and consequently will be rolled out to eight countries within three months. In addition to Kenya, this agreement includes Botswana, Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
According to American Express, the partnership will provide Barclaycard Merchant Services with a sustainable competitive advantage in the area as no other bank will be allowed to offer this exclusive service.
The terms and conditions of the alliance focus on the acquisition and management of merchant customer relationships. Barclaycard will not issue American Express Cards in any of the nine countries covered under the deal.
However, American Express said it will continue to maintain a visible presence in Kenya through Express Travel, the local American Express Travel Office that has been the face of the company in Kenya for 40 years.
