Leading African payment card scheme, Verve International has joined EMVCo’s long list of Technical Associates that will see it play a critical role of providing input and receiving feedback on detailed technical and operational issues connected to the EMV Specifications and related processes.

The latest in payment technology, EMV includes both contact and contactless chip cards. It also increases security by reducing to a negligible level, the risk of counterfeiting.

“The adoption of new EMV technology will make electronic payments more convenient and more secure,” said Charles Ifedi, Chief Executive Officer, Verve International.

Ifedi added: “Verve International is proud to be doing its bit to develop new EMV technologies as part of our commitment to ever improving levels of security and convenience for our customers.

The Verve CEO also said the company was looking forward to a future where an African voice would be added to technical discussions on the development of new EMV technologies, a future where the world will adopt the technologies the continent has to offer.

EMVCo facilitates worldwide interoperability and acceptance of secure payment transactions by managing and evolving the EMV Specifications and related testing processes.

EMVCo today boasts of EMV Specifications based on tokenisation, card personalisation, contact chip, contactless chip and common payment application (CPA).

Verve’s new association with EMVCo is expected to improve card payment solutions and services in Africa as the continent continues to embrace cashless payment programs.

Other technical associates who Verve just joined include on EMVCo’s list include Toshiba, Verifone, UK Cards Association, U.S. Bank, among others.