Mobile money continues to gain ground as a key payment channel in Central Africa. According to the 2024 payment services report published by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), the total value of payments for goods and services reached CFA3,072 billion in 2024, up from CFA2,961 billion a year earlier, a 3.74% increase.
Transaction volumes also rose, from 1.427 billion to 1.498 billion operations, a 4.97% increase. BEAC describes this growth as moderate but says it reflects a steady consolidation of mobile payments in everyday consumption across the region.
Growth reflects changing user behavior
BEAC links this trend to several structural factors. The report notes a gradual decline in the use of airtime as an informal payment method, in favor of digital solutions that offer better security and traceability. It also highlights the role of promotional campaigns by operators, including fee waivers on certain transactions, which helped drive adoption.
Another factor is the expansion of the acceptance network. New merchants joined the ecosystem, including small retailers, schools, and some public institutions. This broader network improves access to mobile payments and supports their use in daily transactions.
Airtime purchases remain dominant
Despite this diversification, airtime purchases still account for the largest share of merchant payments in the CEMAC region. In 2024, the segment recorded 974 million transactions, or 65% of total merchant payment volume. In value terms, it represents 18.07% of all such transactions.
The average value of airtime purchases declined slightly, from CFA587 in 2023 to CFA570 in 2024. By contrast, the average value of other merchant payments dropped sharply, from CFA7,752 to CFA4,073, a decrease of 47.47%.
BEAC says this trend reflects wider use of electronic payments for low-value transactions. The sharp decline in average value outside airtime indicates broader adoption of digital payments for everyday goods and services, which strengthens their role in consumption habits.
These developments confirm the growing role of mobile money in daily life across the CEMAC region. A wider merchant network, more use cases, and lower transaction values continue to support the integration of digital payments into the regional financial ecosystem.
Amina Malloum
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