The Ministry of Economy (SE), Visa, BBVA, and Santander Mexico have launched a joint initiative to enable at least one million micro and small enterprises (MSMEs) to accept digital payments in the coming years. The effort supports the national strategy to reduce cash usage, boost MSME sales, enhance their value proposition, and expand their customer base.
During the launch of “Grow Your MSMEs with Digital Payments,” Marcelo Ebrard, Head of the SE, and Francisco Valdivia, General Director of Visa Mexico, emphasized that digital payment acceptance is a key driver of financial inclusion, opening access to credit, insurance, and other financial services that can fuel business growth.
Ebrard noted that approximately 3.2 million MSMEs currently cannot accept digital payments, limiting their access to broader financial services.
Data from the 2023 National Survey of Business Financing showed that only 52% of MSMEs accepted card payments. Among these:
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98% cited customer demand
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70% recognized increased sales potential
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62% used it for improved sales tracking and accounting¿
The initiative aims to close Mexico’s digital payment adoption gap relative to other Latin American countries.
The SE will coordinate with state governments and industrial chambers to accelerate nationwide deployment of card payments.
Valdivia affirmed Visa’s support for the government’s goal of MSME growth, highlighting digitalization as a key enabler. The first phase will launch in 10 states, including FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities, and will continue throughout the current administration. The program also aims to ensure a secure and efficient payment experience during the World Cup, which is expected to generate US$3 billion in economic activity in Mexico.
The initiative aligns with Plan Mexico, the government’s economic strategy promoting digitalization, reduced cash usage, and increased MSME access to credit.