Absa, KQ & Visa Unveil Co-Branded Travel Card In Kenya

Absa, Kenya Airways and Visa have launched the Asante Global Card, a co-branded travel-lifestyle credit card the three companies describe as the first of its kind in the Kenyan market. Announced on 31st August 2026 under the “Your Life Rewarded” campaign, the card is targeted at professionals, frequent travellers and premium banking customers, and is designed to convert everyday spending into travel and lifestyle rewards.

The card brings together Kenya Airways’ route network, Absa’s local banking infrastructure and Visa’s global payments acceptance, marking what the partners say is the first time an airline, a bank and a payments network have combined on a single product in Kenya. Cardholders earn Asante Rewards Points on purchases, which can be redeemed across the Kenya Airways network. The name pairs “Asante” – Swahili for gratitude -with “Global,” a nod to the card’s usability on Visa’s worldwide network.

John Njoroge, Country Manager for Kenya at Visa, linked the launch to a shift in consumer expectations. “We are seeing strong demand from Kenyan consumers for products that reward how they already spend and travel, and that demand is being driven by a generation that is earning more, travelling more and expecting more from the cards in their wallets,” he said. “The Asante Global Card responds to that directly, and we are pleased to bring our technology and global network to a card built for this market.”

Points accrue across all transaction types, from routine purchases such as groceries, fuel and dining to travel bookings and international payments.

Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer at Kenya Airways, framed the card as an extension of the airline’s existing rewards strategy. “At Kenya Airways, we are constantly designing solutions that make travel more rewarding and accessible for our customers. This co-branded card is a natural extension of that commitment, allowing customers to earn travel rewards through their everyday spending,” he said. “As an airline that has connected Africa and the world for decades, we are proud to offer a product that turns daily transactions into opportunities for flights awards, point conversions and exclusive benefits across our network and partner airlines.”

Absa Bank Kenya’s Consumer Banking Director, Moses Muthui, tied the partnership to the bank’s broader positioning. “This launch is a powerful reflection of our purpose of Empowering Africa’s Tomorrow, together… one story at a time. Every customer has a unique journey, and personal aspirations that extend beyond borders. Through innovative partnerships such as this, we are helping to unlock opportunities, connect people to the experiences that matter most, and enable them to write the next chapter of their story wherever in the world it takes them.”

According to the companies, new Asante Global Signature cardholders will receive a welcome bonus of 10,000 Asante Rewards Points, while Platinum cardholders will get 5,000. The partners say the card also comes with airport lounge access, travel and medical insurance, extra baggage allowance and SkyPriority services, along with discounts through select shopping, dining and lifestyle partners locally and internationally, and access to golf and wine-tasting events.

Applications are said to open on 1st September at asante.kenya-airways.com, with points accruing once an application is approved and the card activated.