The Rise of Mobile Wallets in Africa: What’s New in 2025?

Africa’s mobile money revolution isn’t just happening—it’s accelerating! Mobile wallets are reshaping how people transact, from street vendors to large enterprises. But let’s be real: the challenge has always been the same—a massive unbanked and underbanked population across the continent.

Now, in 2025, a wave of new and expanding mobile wallets is making digital payments more seamless, secure, and accessible than ever before.

Mukuru Wallet Expands in Malawi

Big news for Malawians! Mukuru, a South African fintech giant, expanded its Mukuru Wallet into Malawi in late 2024, offering users a digital banking alternative in a country where over 12 million people are using mobile money.

So, what makes it special?

Mukuru has designed two wallet pockets to make transactions smoother:

1. Nyanja Pocket – For everyday transactions within Malawi.
2. Moyo Pocket – For receiving international remittances from family abroad.

With mobile money adoption in Malawi growing by 14.1% year-on-year, this launch is a big win for financial inclusion, giving more people access to secure and efficient banking services.

Orange Money Africa and Middle East & Mastercard : A Power Duo for Digital Payments

If you use Orange Money, there’s exciting news for you! Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) has teamed up with Mastercard to take digital payments to the next level in seven African countries:

📍 Cameroon, Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.

What does this mean for users?

1. Access to Mastercard’s global merchant network, allowing easier online shopping.
2. More seamless international transactions.
3. A boost for Africa’s digital payments market, which is expected to reach $40 billion by the end of 2025.

This move is a game-changer for businesses and consumers alike, breaking down barriers to global commerce.

Alviere & Onafriq : Making Cross-Border Payments Easier

If you’ve ever sent money from the U.S. to Africa, you know the struggle—hidden fees, slow transfers, and unnecessary complexity. Well, that’s changing!

Alviere and Onafriq (Africa’s largest digital payments network) have partnered to revolutionize cross-border remittances.

The numbers are staggering:

1. 500+ million mobile money wallets connected.
2. 200+ million bank accounts integrated.
3. Coverage across 40 African markets—almost the entire continent!

For the African diaspora, who sent home $100 billion in remittances in 2023, this partnership means faster, cheaper, and more accessible transfers.

What’s Next for Mobile Wallets in Africa?

With mobile wallets becoming the go-to financial tool, the next big focus areas will be:

1. Stronger security – AI-driven fraud prevention to combat cyber threats.
2. Seamless cross-border payments – More partnerships to break down financial barriers.
3. Greater adoption by local businesses – Expect more mom-and-pop shops to go cashless!

And here’s a bold prediction: mobile transactions in Africa are projected to surpass $3 trillion by 2025. Let that sink in.

Africa is experiencing a digital payments revolution, and it’s happening fast. Whether it’s Mukuru’s expansion in Malawi, Orange Money’s Mastercard collaboration, or Onafriq’s game-changing cross-border remittances, mobile wallets are becoming an essential part of everyday life.

For business owners, gig workers, and even the average person who just doesn’t want to carry cash—this is the future.

The best part? It’s already here.