BEIJING - China UnionPay, the country's largest bank card services provider, said Friday that CUP bank cards can be accepted for online payments through the State Bank of Mauritius, further consolidating its presence in Africa.

According to an agreement between CUP and SBM, Mauritius's second-largest bank, the acceptance of CUP bank cards will be extended to online merchant cross-border payments.

The deal will also give the Chinese bank card issuer a better foothold in the burgeoning African continent.

The Chinese and Mauritian banking institutions have already ensured that CUP cards are accepted at more than half of merchant stores and 40 percent of ATMs in Mauritius, according to CUP.

The newly opened online payment service mainly covers merchants selling electronics products, and CUP said more merchants from the hospitality and tourism sector will be included in the future.

CUP cards are currently accepted in 130 countries and regions worldwide.