MTN Group, Africa’s largest digital financial services platform, closed its first-ever Fintech Summit in Johannesburg, a three-day gathering that brought together more than 350 policymakers, regulators, innovators, and industry leaders to chart the future of Africa’s financial ecosystem.
The summit, held under the theme “Take-Off,” laid out MTN’s ambition to expand financial inclusion, support small businesses, and build digital ecosystems that fuel Africa’s economic growth. With more than 283 million active accounts, MTN’s Mobile Money (MoMo) platform now handles part of the $1.1 trillion in annual mobile money transactions across Sub-Saharan Africa, equivalent to around 5% of the region’s GDP.
“Inclusion becomes sustainable when payments are part of daily life,” said Serigne Dioum, CEO of MTN Group Fintech. “Our ambition is to move Africans from being merely financially included to becoming financially independent and ultimately wealthy. Our Mobile Money platform must transform from being a service provider into a platform that delivers best-in-class fintech across Africa.”
MSMEs at the Center of Digital Transformation
The discussions underscored the importance of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), widely regarded as the backbone of African economies. Delegates noted that digitizing MSMEs could improve access to credit, enhance compliance, and expand participation in the wider economy. Case studies such as Miriam, a small business owner using MoMo for payments and loans, demonstrated how digital tools are driving growth at the grassroots level.
The summit also stressed that financial independence requires more than access to credit. It depends on building digital skills, enabling savings and investment, and equipping people with the tools to manage wealth.
“We see our responsibility not only as driving inclusion while ensuring the systems we build are trusted, resilient, and sustainable,” said Nikiwe Tanga, Chief Legal Officer, MTN Group Fintech. “This means advancing sound regulatory frameworks, strengthening partnerships with governments and banks, and embedding safety and compliance into every product we deliver.”
Balancing Regulation, Innovation, and Safety
Delegates identified four priorities for Africa’s fintech growth: regulation, innovation, safety, and interoperability. Regulators and industry players agreed on the need for harmonized rules across markets to enable cross-border payments and remittances. Innovation was framed around African realities, including alternative credit scoring powered by machine learning and mini apps to support SMEs.
Trust and security were highlighted as critical for adoption. Calls were made for fraud intelligence networks, real-time monitoring, and stronger consumer education. Interoperability emerged as the most pressing challenge, with speakers pointing to the high cost of intra-African remittances and urging collaboration to unlock opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
MTN’s 2030 Strategic Roadmap
Looking ahead, MTN Group Fintech announced a “digital-first” strategy that will include three dedicated apps for consumers, businesses, and agents, alongside a mini-app ecosystem offering services from credit and savings to education and business tools.
The company said it will balance this innovation with inclusion by continuing to expand USSD-based services to reach underserved rural communities.
Agents, MTN noted, will remain critical to bridging the digital divide and supporting customer adoption as smartphone penetration increases.
“The future is calling. The engines are ready. The runway is clear. We are ready for Take-Off,” Dioum concluded. “Let us rise together, share Africa’s digital future, and inspire the world.”
The inaugural summit marked a milestone for MTN’s fintech ambitions, positioning MoMo as a key driver of Africa’s digital and financial transformation.
