Africa confirms its shift towards a structured digital economy, driven by the rapid growth of instant payment systems (IPS). According to the SIIPS 2025 report published by the AfricaNenda Foundation, the continent now has 36 operational systems in 31 countries, with a cumulative volume close to $2 trillion and over 64 billion transactions in 2024.
A profound transformation of African financial infrastructures
This dynamic reflects a profound transformation of African financial infrastructures. With an average annual growth of 35% in volume since 2020, IPS are emerging as a strategic foundation, reducing transaction costs and accelerating the circulation of economic flows.
The past year saw the launch of five new national systems, confirming both rapid adoption and a growing political will to expand access to financial services.
Increasingly mature and inclusive ecosystems
Beyond volumes, ecosystem maturity is progressing. The shift towards interoperable multisector platforms, open to both banks and non-bank actors, promotes broader financial inclusion.
Nigeria, with its NIP system, now reaches the most advanced level of inclusivity, illustrating the potential of a large-scale deployed model.
Results
Several national experiences reinforce the credibility of this trajectory. In Liberia, a mobile payment system deployed in 73 days has already processed over $11 million without interruption, demonstrating that speed of execution and operational efficiency can go hand in hand.
In Rwanda, the modernization of eKash, based on an open architecture, has integrated microfinance institutions and cooperatives, thus consolidating access to financial services for the most vulnerable populations.
A strategic challenge for states and investors
For policymakers and investors, the challenge now goes beyond mere technological innovation. IPS constitute an essential digital public infrastructure, capable of streamlining social transfers, securing SME transactions, and supporting the integration of African markets.
Despite this progress, nearly 400 million people are still excluded from the banking system, while usage remains hybrid, with cash remaining dominant in many countries.
Challenges persist: regulatory fragmentation, inadequate infrastructure, perceived high costs, and still fragile user trust. The interconnection of systems, especially for cross-border payments, remains conditioned on harmonizing standards and strengthening coordination between states.
A lever for growth and economic sovereignty
In this context, investment in payment infrastructures appears as a strategic lever for growth. By structuring instant, interoperable, and inclusive systems, Africa is laying the foundations for an integrated, competitive market attractive to international capital.
Digital payments are no longer just a service: they are becoming a pillar of economic sovereignty and a catalyst for development across the continent.
