While chip and PIN is increasingly becoming the primary means of payment card verification for security conscious card issuers and financial institutions in most parts of the world, the latest available figures from EMVCo estimate over 60 per cent of card users across Africa still rely on magnetic stripe technology, exposing them to a greater degree of card fraud. As the region ramps up investment in EMV solutions, there is a growing need for specialist consulting services, training and technology, which is where Barnes and CardPro Services step in.

As a leading supplier to banks, issuers, card manufacturers, personalisation bureaus and test laboratories internationally, Barnes has developed a range of magnetic stripe, chip card and NFC mobile payment application test tools to ensure the development and manufacture of high-quality payment products which meet ISO, CQM and EMV requirements. This offering combined with CardPro Services’ expert knowledge of the payments landscape both locally and internationally offers Moroccan card issuers essential support to reduce the risk, cost and duration of their EMV migration and payment card accreditation programmes.

Brian Summerhayes, Barnes International’s Managing Director, says “We have spent the last 20 years developing payment application test tools to enable our clients to deliver the best products to their customers. As with the implementation of any new process or technology, there is plenty of scope for costly errors. However, by working with Barnes and CardPro Services, our clients can mitigate that risk and ensure their chip migration programmes and new product launches run as smoothly and efficiently as possible”

Abdelouahed Elrhassir, Managing Director of CardPro Services adds, “We’re delighted to be working with Barnes to offer additional support to EMV card issuers in our local market. The depth of our combined cards and payments domain expertise perfectly positions us to assist our clients as they roll out EMV chip card and NFC mobile payment applications”.
Barnes International and CardPro Services will be exhibiting together at the Cartes Afrique event taking place between 27-29 April in Marrakech. Cartes Afrique brings together 800 payment professionals to discuss the most important issues driving the consumer payments landscape in Africa today. Barnes International and CardPro Services would be pleased to meet any interested parties to discuss how services may benefit your business.