NAMIBIA. Travel retailer Afrique Duty-Free, part of the DFP World Group, is breaking new ground in travel retail by accepting crypto-currency for customer payments.
The move, which the company claimed is a global industry first, comes as it prepares to embark on a US$5 million expansion to airports in Western and Southern Africa starting in 2025.
The Windhoek-based company said it is not only scaling up its retail footprint but also “rewriting the rules of airport shopping” by embracing digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum as accepted payments in its stores. Its strategy will be showcased by the company at next week’s Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) Conference in Abu Dhabi (17-19 November), where it is an event Gold Partner.
Afrique Duty Free said its adoption of digital currency payment “positions the company at the forefront of a retail revolution, offering a new era of borderless, cashless transactions”.
“This is more than just an expansion; it’s a defining moment for the industry,” said Aidai Usubakunova, Head of Airport Retail Expansion for the African Continent at Afrique Duty-Free. “By becoming the first to integrate cryptocurrencies into all our future retail and distribution operations, Afrique Duty Free is not just offering an innovative payment method but completely transforming the shopping experience for travellers.”
Afrique Duty Free said it is responding to the growing demand for cashless, efficient, and secure payment options—particularly in Africa, where digital currencies are rapidly gaining traction.
Afrique Duty Free said it plans to incentivise travellers to use cryptocurrencies through exclusive promotions and discounts. These targeted incentives will make airport shopping “convenient and rewarding for tech-savvy customers who embrace the future of payments”.
“Our goal is to empower travellers with the freedom of choice,” added Usubakunova. “By incentivising crypto transactions, we’re creating a shopping experience that is as dynamic as the digital age itself.”
In addition to integrating crypto payments into its own stores, the company plans to extend its crypto payment systems to selected partners, allowing other airport retailers to benefit from the technology.
Strategic expansion
As noted above, Afrique Duty-Free is also expanding its retail footprint. The company said it has agreements to open at high-traffic international airports across Western and Southern Africa from 2025, with details to follow.
The new stores will offer a premium selection of luxury spirits, beauty and high-end accessories, said the company, as it aims to become “a leading operator in African travel retail”.
Central to its expansion plan is the group’s Distribution Center in Walvis Bay, Namibia, which it hailed as “a crucial asset that supports efficient distribution of premium goods across Southern and Central Africa”. The centre’s strategic location ensures that all retail outlets are consistently stocked, enabling the company to meet rising demand in the region, it said.
The company added that it is committed to driving economic growth in Africa by creating hundreds of new jobs and forming partnerships with local suppliers. This initiative aligns with its long-term vision of fostering sustainable development in the communities it serves.
“Our strategy goes beyond retail; it’s about making a positive impact on the local economy,” explained Usubakunova. “By combining retail innovation with economic empowerment, we’re ensuring that our expansion benefits everyone involved.”
The company said in a statement that its vision is to “set a new global standard in airport retail by fully integrating cryptocurrencies across its entire network” and to “revolutionising the industry”.
It plans to reveal further details to industry partners at the MEADFA Conference next week. ✈
