MTN MoMo Processed $2.1B in Cross-Border Remittances in H1 2025

AFRICAN BUSINESS AND ECONOMYOctober 15, 2025 at 1:59 PM UTC

TLDR

MTN Group Fintech, the financial services arm of Africa’s largest telecom operator, processed $2.1 billion in international remittances across 14 markets in the first half of 2025
MTN’s MoMo platform now supports 283 million accounts, processing $1.1 trillion annually and serving as a vital driver of digital finance on the continent
Despite progress, over 350 million Africans remain unbanked, and cross-border transfer fees average 8%, among the world’s highest

MTN Group Fintech, the financial services arm of Africa’s largest telecom operator, processed $2.1 billion in international remittances across 14 markets in the first half of 2025, underscoring its growing role in simplifying cross-border payments. For CEO Serigne Dioum, the milestone marks a step toward building a borderless African financial ecosystem.

“At the core of our vision is a world where financial services are seamless, accessible, and secure,” Dioum said. “Inclusion becomes sustainable when payments are part of daily life.”

MTN’s MoMo platform now supports 283 million accounts, processing $1.1 trillion annually and serving as a vital driver of digital finance on the continent. Beyond peer-to-peer payments, its BankTech vertical disbursed $1.3 billion in microloans in H1 2025, averaging $20 per loan, while its merchant network handled $9.9 billion in transactions.

MTN’s OpenAPI platform, live across all markets, is enabling fintechs and developers to build new services atop its infrastructure — a strategic play to cement MoMo as the operating system for African digital payments.

Despite progress, Dioum acknowledges ongoing challenges: over 350 million Africans remain unbanked, and cross-border transfer fees average 8%, among the world’s highest. MTN’s approach focuses on interoperability, affordable access, and retaining USSD support for users with basic phones.

“The next decade will be defined by how we collaborate — regulators, banks, and innovators alike,” Dioum said. “If we get it right, mobile money won’t just empower millions, it will power Africa’s digital progress.”

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Key Takeaways

MTN’s $2.1 billion remittance milestone reinforces its evolution from telecom giant to pan-African fintech infrastructure player. With over 280 million accounts and $1.1 trillion in transaction volume, MoMo’s scale rivals regional banks — and its integration of microcredit, APIs, and cross-border payments positions it as Africa’s leading super-fintech. Yet challenges remain: high remittance costs, regulatory fragmentation, and limited interoperability. Dioum’s vision of a unified African payments rail aligns with AfCFTA ambitions and could redefine how money moves across the continent if MTN executes its borderless play effectively.

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