Despite its leading role in advancing financial inclusion on a continent where banking penetration remains low, mobile money still faces major structural barriers that limit its full potential. Yet the service, which continues to expand with new offerings, particularly in banking, has the capacity to transform household economies and the broader financial landscape in Africa.
Africa's mobile money sector recorded strong growth in 2025, yet barriers to full adoption persist for millions across the continent.
Nearly $1.432 trillion flowed through mobile money accounts in Africa in 2025, up roughly 27% from 2024, according to the "State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2026," published Tuesday, March 24, by the GSMA, the global association of mobile network operators.
The continent accounted for nearly 66% of the $2.091 trillion in global mobile money transaction value, which itself rose 23% year on year. Africa also represented around 74% of the 125 billion mobile money transactions recorded worldwide, roughly 92 billion operations, up 16% from 2024.
The report also noted that Africa is home to 52% of mobile money accounts globally. At end-2025, the continent had approximately 1.2 billion accounts, up 18% from 2024, with 347 million active on a monthly basis. Worldwide, total accounts reached around 2.3 billion, up 13%, with 593 million active over a 30-day period.
Africa remains the epicenter of mobile finance. But this success masks a growing contradiction: the service is expanding rapidly while full adoption across the population and its real impact remain limited.
Barriers to inclusion
The first barrier is access to devices. The World Bank notes that 84% of adults in developing countries own a phone, but roughly one quarter of them still use a basic handset, "more affordable, with limited features and no internet browser." Only two-thirds of adults therefore own a full smartphone enabling access to apps and browsers. In sub-Saharan Africa, that figure drops to 33%. In that region, as in South Asia, the most commonly cited reason for not owning a smartphone is cost. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has also highlighted that across the African continent, one of the main obstacles to the adoption of digital services remains affordability, particularly that of devices.
The second barrier is digital financial literacy. The GSMA's 2026 mobile money report is explicit: low digital financial literacy remains a major obstacle to the adoption and use of the service. In African countries surveyed where uptake gaps persist, the data are clear. In Ethiopia, among people who are aware of mobile money but do not have an account, 60% of women and 54% of men say they do not know how to use the service; 45% of women and 50% of men say they struggle to use a phone or fear making mistakes. In Egypt, this barrier affects 21% of women and 15% of men; in Nigeria, 22% of both women and men. Compounding this, in Ethiopia, 24% of women surveyed cite the lack of a SIM card or phone as an obstacle.
Beyond the service, a human impact
A clear paradox emerges: mobile money first took hold through the most basic handsets. But its new frontier now demands more than a simple mobile phone. The range of use cases has expanded, and service providers increasingly rely on super-apps rather than USSD codes to deliver greater value, including bill payments, government social transfers, micro-insurance, micro-credit and micro-savings. The most dynamic segments are now merchant payments, up 42% to $155 billion in 2025, and interoperable transfers between banks and mobile wallets, at $167 billion. In other words, the sector has moved well beyond the simple peer-to-peer transfers of its early days, advancing into a more sophisticated phase where users must navigate interfaces, options, QR codes, virtual cards, security features and transaction records. Without adequate devices or basic digital fluency, a portion of Africans risk being confined to the most elementary uses as the ecosystem moves toward more complex services.
This divide is also social and gendered. Without suitable phones and basic digital skills, millions of Africans remain on the margins of what mobile money can offer. In low- and middle-income countries, the GSMA estimates that women remain 14% less likely than men to use mobile internet, leaving 885 million women still unconnected, of whom approximately 60% live in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. This creates the risk of a two-speed financial inclusion, uneven in practice.
Unlocking the full potential of mobile money in Africa therefore requires more than a commercial response. It must be industrial, educational and regulatory. The ITU advocates for cheaper entry-level smartphones, purchase options facilitated through microcredit or installment payments, lower costs for handsets and data, and the integration of basic digital skills into school curricula and training programs. The GSMA report echoes this view, stressing the need for digital financial literacy initiatives targeting women, rural populations and older people. The World Bank notes that cost, ease of use and security must be addressed together. The real challenge for Africa is no longer to prove that mobile money works, it is to ensure that everyone can genuinely use it.
Muriel Edjo
Tunisia’s state utility, Société tunisienne de l'électricité et du gaz (STEG), has deployed advanced technologies in the Moknine region as part of a broader effort to modernize its distribution network.
The project is part of a 15-million-dinar ($5 million) pilot program funded by the U.S. government to upgrade critical electricity infrastructure.
“This project is fully aligned with STEG’s strategic vision to modernize the national electricity network and support Tunisia’s energy transition through the deployment of Smart Grid technologies,” Chief Executive Faycel Tarifa said.
The centerpiece of the Moknine site is a FLISR system — Fault Location, Isolation and Service Restoration. Deployed in partnership with U.S. companies E3-International, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and G&W Electric, the technology automatically detects outages and restores power, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Nokia has installed a private LTE (pLTE) communications network to support operations, enabling real-time monitoring of the entire distribution system.
The project is part of a broader Smart Grid initiative to transform the electricity system into a fully connected grid capable of optimizing the entire power value chain, from generation to end users. Running from 2020 to 2026, the program combines technical studies, training and advanced technology deployment, with the aim of testing a model for nationwide rollout.
STEG accounts for nearly 96% of national electricity production, with installed capacity of about 5,944 MW across 25 power plants. The Smart Grid program aims to reduce energy losses, improve load management and support the integration of renewable energy, which is expected to reach 35% of the electricity mix by 2030.
STEG faces a dual challenge: improving efficiency to limit energy losses while supporting the energy transition through better demand management. Over time, the technologies are also expected to improve customer relations, notably through the rollout of smart meters enabling more accurate consumption tracking and billing based on actual usage.
Samira Njoya
- Angola launches an innovation lab (i.Lab) to test and scale digital solutions in public finance.
- Authorities introduce digital signatures into internal document systems to enhance security and efficiency.
- The initiative aligns with a broader national strategy to modernize public administration through ICT.
Angolan authorities announced on March 27 the launch of an Innovation Laboratory for Public Finance (i.Lab). The Public Finance ICT Service (SETIC-FP), which operates under the Ministry of Finance, established the platform.
The lab allows authorities to test solutions, measure their impact, and deploy those that effectively improve public services.
During the launch ceremony, officials presented a proof of concept focused on integrating qualified digital signatures into the Integrated Document Management System (SIGD). SETIC-FP developed this platform internally to digitize document management processes within the ministry.
The solution aims to strengthen the authenticity and integrity of electronic documents. Moreover, it seeks to reduce manual validations and increase trust in digital processes.
Authorities said the creation of i.Lab forms part of broader efforts to accelerate the digital transformation of public finances, primarily driven by SETIC-FP.
SETIC-FP has already developed several tools. These include the Public Debt Management Unit Portal, a dedicated application for the Ministry of Finance, the Integrated Public Investment Program Management System (SIGPIP), and the Fiscal Council Management System (CGCF).
At the same time, SETIC-FP is expanding international cooperation and exploring new partnerships. In early March, Angola signed an agreement with Cape Verde to implement innovative technology solutions, provide technical training, and strengthen digital governance aligned with international best practices.
In addition, Angola has strengthened ties with Brazil to support its digital transformation agenda.
The public finance digitization process forms part of Angola’s wider national digital transformation strategy. The government aims to integrate ICT across all sectors to support socio-economic development.
In public administration, authorities view digitization as a key driver of modernization. They also see it as a tool to improve financial management efficiency, transparency, and results-based governance.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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LinkSenAI targets global demand for digital talent by sourcing engineers based in Senegal.
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The company focuses on data, cloud, and software development services for European clients, especially in France.
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Founder Wedji Kane combines entrepreneurship with roles in major firms and tech ecosystem leadership.
Wedji Kane has built a model that connects Senegalese technology professionals with international companies seeking digital expertise. She leads LinkSenAI, an IT services company specializing in tech talent recruitment.
She founded LinkSenAI in 2025 to recruit qualified professionals in technology and data based in Senegal and deploy them on digital projects worldwide. The company targets European demand, particularly in France, while promoting local expertise.
Moreover, she positions Senegal as a competitive player in the global digital economy by aligning local capabilities with international business needs.
LinkSenAI delivers services across several technical segments. The company designs reports and performance indicators and implements decision-support tools. It also develops modern web applications and user interfaces.
In addition, the firm manages performance and cybersecurity requirements and deploys cloud-based solutions. Through this range of capabilities, the company addresses the full lifecycle of digital transformation projects.
Alongside her entrepreneurial role, Wedji Kane coordinates ecosystem initiatives. She served as coordinator of SALTIS 2025, a national summit focused on artificial intelligence and innovation.
At the same time, she works as a data engineer at Carrefour France. She previously held the same position from 2022 to 2025 at Onepoint. These roles strengthen her operational expertise and industry network.
Wedji Kane completed her engineering training in France. She graduated in 2021 from ENSEIRB-MATMECA with a degree in telecommunications engineering.
She then earned an engineering degree in artificial intelligence in 2022 from Mines Paris – PSL. This academic background supports her positioning at the intersection of data engineering, AI, and global tech talent development.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Niger rolls out a biometric ID system under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to strengthen digital sovereignty.
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The program integrates centralized biometric data, including fingerprints, facial recognition, and electronic signatures.
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Authorities combine infrastructure investment and local skills development to reduce reliance on foreign solutions.
Abdourahamane Tiani officially launched the rollout of the biometric national identity card of the Alliance of Sahel States on Friday, March 27 in Niamey. The government positions the initiative as a key step in modernizing identification systems and strengthening national digital sovereignty.
Moreover, the authorities frame identity management as a strategic pillar in the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.
The program relies on a secure biometric identification system that collects and integrates unique personal data. The system records fingerprints, captures digital facial images, and applies electronic signatures that comply with international standards.
According to authorities, centralized and secured databases store this information and enable reliable citizen identification. The system reduces identity fraud risks and facilitates access to public services. At the same time, it guarantees the authenticity of official documents.
Beyond the physical card, the government builds an advanced data infrastructure. The program includes the construction of a modern data center and the deployment of secure systems that ensure centralized and reliable management of national resources.
Furthermore, this architecture strengthens data sovereignty and improves the reliability of exchanges between government administrations.
The government adopted the project on December 26, 2025, during a Council of Ministers meeting. The initiative aligns with the digital transformation strategy of the Alliance of Sahel States, which includes Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. The bloc aims to build sovereign digital infrastructure across member states.
In addition, authorities plan to develop local expertise through training programs. They aim to ensure system sustainability and reduce dependence on external providers.
The government established a monitoring committee to oversee the production of biometric ID cards and electronic passports. Authorities report that e-passports have reached the finalization phase.
The project also benefits from technical expertise provided by Al Itisal Aljadeed, which specializes in network technologies, data centers, and biometric identification solutions.
Samira Njoya
The FINCA Ventures Prize supports for-profit startups in Africa with at least one African founder that are already generating revenue. Applicants must operate in Sub-Saharan Africa and focus on fintech for financial inclusion or sustainable agriculture. Finalists can receive up to $100,000 in grants. Applications are open until Friday, April 10.
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Send Me integrates marketplace, payments, and delivery into a single platform in Sierra Leone.
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The startup targets local commerce efficiency by connecting customers, vendors, and couriers.
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Founder Emmanuel Lahai combines e-commerce and fintech experience to address payment challenges.
In Freetown, Emmanuel Lahai develops a digital platform that connects customers, vendors, and delivery providers within a single ecosystem. He founded and leads Send Me, a company operating at the intersection of food delivery and online commerce.
Moreover, he positions the platform as a localized solution designed to streamline everyday transactions.
Founded in 2019, Send Me aligns with Sierra Leone’s broader digital development trend. The company aims to facilitate daily buying and selling through an accessible online system.
The platform integrates a marketplace, secure payment solutions, and delivery services into a single interface. As a result, users can select products, complete transactions, and receive deliveries without leaving the platform.
Furthermore, this integrated model simplifies processes, accelerates transactions, and enhances security while adapting to local market conditions.
Send Me collaborates with multiple restaurants across Freetown. The platform offers a range of meals that reflect local flavors and the diversity of the city’s culinary scene.
Therefore, the company strengthens visibility for local businesses while expanding consumer access to food services.
In parallel, Emmanuel Lahai works as project manager for Kala, a financial technology platform designed to address challenges in payments and money transfers in Sierra Leone.
Previously, he served as chief executive officer of Fahrenheit Engineering Company from 2021 to 2024. This experience reinforces his operational and managerial expertise.
Emmanuel Lahai completed his higher education across multiple countries. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 2023 from Southeast University.
He also obtained a bachelor’s degree in software engineering in 2025 from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. This dual background supports his positioning at the intersection of infrastructure and digital technology.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Ensibuuko digitizes SACCOs and informal savings groups through a SaaS fintech platform.
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The company enables multi-channel payments and USSD-based mobile banking without smartphones.
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The startup operates in multiple African markets and targets expansion to 15 countries by 2028.
Ensibuuko offers a SaaS platform that digitizes core operations of community-based financial institutions. The system manages members, tracks savings, processes loans, executes payments, and supports governance functions.
The company replaces paper-based systems and manual processes that remain widespread in rural areas with secure and interconnected digital tools.
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Kampala, the startup was launched by Opio Obwangamoi David.
Ensibuuko integrates more than standard management software capabilities. The platform supports multi-channel payments, including mobile money, bank transfers, and wallet-to-wallet transfers.
In addition, the system provides mobile banking services via USSD. This feature allows users to deposit, withdraw, and check balances without requiring a smartphone.
Ensibuuko positions itself as an infrastructure layer between informal finance and traditional banking systems. The platform generates transaction data that enables partner financial institutions to assess risk more effectively.
Furthermore, these data-driven insights support the deployment of credit through embedded lending models.
The company has already deployed its solution in several African countries, including Tanzania, Malawi, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana.
Ensibuuko plans to expand to around 15 countries by 2028. The company reports that it has connected more than 20,000 institutions and reached over one million end users. It also states that cumulative loan volumes on its platform exceed $780 million.
By targeting the foundational infrastructure of microfinance, Ensibuuko reflects a broader shift in African fintech. Companies increasingly build digital rails rather than focus solely on end-user applications.
As a result, this approach supports financial inclusion at scale by enabling more efficient, data-driven access to credit and financial services.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
On Friday, March 27, BFA Global and FSD Africa announced $273,000 in funding, along with additional support, for four East African startups under the Triggering Exponential Climate Action (TECA) program. The companies are developing solutions in clean energy, cold chain logistics and carbon market access, aiming to help vulnerable communities cope with climate change impacts while working toward commercial viability.
WhatsApp is rolling out new features aimed at improving user experience. Users can now manage storage more easily, transfer chats between iOS and Android, and run two accounts on a single iPhone. The update, being released gradually worldwide, also adds sticker suggestions, photo editing tools and AI writing assistance.
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The startup is targeting the still nascent food delivery market by digitising the entire process, from ordering to payment, to improve transaction transparency for restaurants.
Madyo is an e-commerce platform developed by a Malawian startup that connects users with restaurants in the country’s main cities. The company, based in the capital Lilongwe, was founded in 2021 by Mike Kachembwe.
The platform is available as a mobile app on iOS and Android, with just over a hundred downloads so far. Users can browse menus, place orders and track deliveries in real time. It also features an AI-powered recommendation system that suggests dishes based on user preferences and local consumption patterns.
The app integrates widely used mobile money services to facilitate payments. Average delivery time is around 30 minutes, with real-time tracking.
For restaurants, the platform provides an additional sales channel, helping them reach more customers without investing in their own logistics. For users, it offers a wider range of options while reducing the need to travel.
The service reflects a broader trend toward digitizing urban services across Africa. As smartphone penetration rises and consumer habits evolve, delivery platforms are gaining traction, particularly in large cities.
Since its launch, Madyo says it has more than 50,000 customers and over 500 partner restaurants. “We are transforming last-mile logistics in Malawi. Our platform covers the full delivery process,” the company said.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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Easy Bank positions itself as a digital intermediary to simplify access to credit and banking products
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The platform aggregates offers from partner banks and negotiates better financing terms for users
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Founder Mohamed Khelifi leverages banking experience to streamline customer financing journeys
Mohamed Khelifi operates as a Tunisian fintech entrepreneur focused on improving access to financial services. He co-founded and leads Easy Bank as chief executive officer.
Khelifi leverages digital tools to redesign the financing journey for individuals, which often remains constrained by complex administrative procedures.
Easy Bank, founded in 2023, positions itself as a banking and financial intermediation company rather than a traditional bank. The company aims to make banking services simpler, faster and more transparent for individuals.
The platform centralizes multiple services related to credit applications and banking guidance. It connects users with a network of partner banks, allowing each customer to access several financing offers without contacting institutions individually.
Moreover, Easy Bank negotiates more favorable financing conditions for its clients when possible, particularly in terms of costs.
At the same time, the platform directs users toward banks and products that match their profiles. It assesses factors such as loan type, repayment capacity and personal situation to optimize recommendations.
In addition, Easy Bank provides complementary services, including identity verification, profile analysis and simplified access to certain bancassurance products. The company delivers these services through agreements with partner banks and insurance firms.
Mohamed Khelifi also co-founded X-Mall, a virtual shopping center launched in 2023 for employees of large companies. The platform offers payment facilities of up to twelve months, with repayments directly deducted from salaries.
This initiative complements his broader strategy to expand access to financial solutions through digital ecosystems.
Mohamed Khelifi graduated from IHEC Sousse in 2006 with a degree in finance and actuarial science. He also earned a master’s degree in risk management and insurance from ESC Tunis in 2007.
He started his career in 2007 as an account manager at Société Générale Group. He then joined Tunis International Bank in 2008 in a similar role.
In 2010, he moved to Zitouna Bank, where he served as branch manager. From 2022 to 2023, he held the same position at Bank ABC Tunisia before launching his fintech ventures.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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WeeWee Delivery connects e-commerce sellers with independent couriers across Algeria
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The platform streamlines parcel shipping through a centralized digital interface
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Founder Sami Kehal leverages technology to improve speed, cost and user experience
Sami Kehal leads WeeWee Delivery as founder and chief executive officer. He positions the platform as a technology-driven solution to simplify parcel shipping across Algeria.
He builds the business in response to the rapid growth of e-commerce, which increases demand for flexible and efficient delivery services.
WeeWee Delivery, founded in 2021, offers an intuitive platform designed to save time, reduce costs and improve user convenience. The company aims to deliver a faster and smoother experience than traditional logistics solutions, which users often consider slow and complex.
The platform connects e-commerce merchants and individuals who need to ship parcels with independent couriers registered on WeeWee. The user submits a delivery request online, and an available courier collects the parcel and delivers it to the recipient.
Moreover, the company operates a centralized interface that simplifies procedures for both senders and couriers.
WeeWee Delivery handles a wide range of everyday shipments. The platform delivers standard parcels, meals, flowers, gifts, medicines and documents.
This diversity enables the company to serve online stores, physical retailers and individual customers with varied logistics needs.
Sami Kehal graduated from the University of Batna 2 in Algeria with a master’s degree in industrial hygiene and safety in 2017. He began his career the same year at Hyundai Engineering as a hazardous materials manager.
Between 2018 and 2021, he worked as an HSE (health, safety and environment) supervisor. He then shifted fully into entrepreneurship by launching WeeWee Delivery.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Burundi’s PAFEN project reaches 61% budget commitment at mid-term review
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World Bank finances the $92 million program to modernize public systems and services
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Government prioritizes digital public finance management and national digital ID rollout
Burundi advances its administrative modernization by leveraging digital technologies to strengthen public resource management. The World Bank conducted an evaluation mission on Thursday, March 26, to assess progress on the Digital Economy Foundations Support Project (PAFEN), a key pillar of the country’s digital transformation strategy.
The project reached a 61% budget commitment rate at mid-term, according to figures disclosed during the review.
The government launched PAFEN in 2024 with $92 million in financing from the World Bank. The program aims to modernize public systems through digital tools, particularly in public finance management and access to administrative services.
Consequently, authorities focus on strengthening institutional efficiency and service delivery through digital infrastructure.
The evaluation places strong emphasis on the modernization of public finance management systems. The government deploys digital solutions to improve revenue collection and monitor public spending.
These reforms aim to reduce resource losses and strengthen budget transparency. Moreover, the government aligns these efforts with its broader macroeconomic consolidation framework under Vision 2040–2060.
PAFEN also includes the rollout of a national digital identity system as a central reform component. The government intends to use this system to improve access to public services and streamline administrative procedures.
In addition, authorities seek to enhance citizen identification and promote the integration of rural populations into the formal economy. The project also provides for the establishment of a national data center.
The World Bank mission aims to identify operational constraints that slow project execution. It also evaluates achieved results and determines adjustments needed to accelerate implementation by the 2028 target.
Following technical discussions held since Monday, March 23, stakeholders emphasized the need to adapt certain mechanisms to facilitate the deployment of digital infrastructure.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum