Over the past decade, Zambia has experienced a rapid expansion of fintech companies and the adoption of digital financial services. In 2023, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCPF) identified 57 fintech companies operating in Zambia, more than double the 25 companies recorded in 2018 and highlighting the sector’s rapid growth. Most Zambian fintech companies concentrate on three main verticals. The first category is technology enablement for financial institutions, where companies develop digital tools, platforms, and services that give banks, credit unions, payment processors, and other financial‑service providers the technical infrastructure they need to create, deliver, and manage modern financial…

Finpace has announced Halcyon, an AI solution delivered alongside the Finpace core banking platform to help financial institutions across Africa modernise faster and run change as a controlled, repeatable capability rather than a backlog heavy engineering cycle. Banks, microfinance institutions, and payment providers are scaling digital services while managing complex operating realities. Institutions often need to support multiple rails and schemes, agent and merchant networks, cross border flows, multi currency operations, and frequent policy updates driven by risk and compliance. In this environment, the limiting factor is often not product ambition. It is how long it takes to translate business…

While the fintech sector in Nigeria has grown markedly over the past years, stakeholders still face persistent obstacles that impede their growth, including regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure deficiencies, and compliance costs, according to a new report by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The report, based on a 2025 survey of leading fintech executives, a closed‑door workshop held in June, and the CBN Fintech Roundtable in October, shares the challenges faced by the industry, highlighting that regulatory clarity and the speed of decision‑making are the most consistent concerns for stakeholders. 62.5% of surveyed respondents cited delays in approvals and ambiguity in…

The 19th Asian Financial Forum (AFF) concluded on 27 January 2026, marking a success for Hong Kong’s financial ecosystem as it showcased the city’s strengths in empowering the industry. Jointly organised by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the forum served as a super-connector, attracting 4000+ global leaders from more than 60 countries and regions to deliberate on the theme “Co-Creating New Horizons Amid an Evolving Landscape.” A Global Stage for Strategic Dialogue & Cooperation The two-day event featured a high-powered lineup of 150+ speakers, including financial institution representatives and leaders of multilateral…

South Africa has become one of Africa’s most dynamic fintech ecosystems, accounting for nearly 21% of all fintech startups across the continent in 2023, second only to Nigeria with a 32 % share, according to Disrupt Africa’s Finnovating for Africa 2023 report. Among these are several of Africa’s biggest and most valuable fintech ventures, underscoring the country’s pivotal role in the continent’s digital finance transformation. Today, we look at some of South Africa’s most successful and fastest-growing fintech startups in 2026, highlighting their value propositions, recent achievements, and what they have in store for the coming year and beyond. These category…

In 2025, the regtech industry in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continued to grow and mature, fuel by growing demand for efficient, cost-effective compliance solutions, evolving regulatory frameworks, and increasing regional integration, according to a new industry report by Regtech Africa, a digital tech media and consultancy platform. Soaring adoption of AI and emerging technologies Several trends shaped the space in 2025. Artificial intelligence (AI), in particular, emerged as a prominent topic, recognized for its potential to enhance regulatory compliance, automate risk monitoring, and improve the efficiency of reporting processes. According to the report, approximately 62% of financial institutions now implement AI-powered anti-money laundering…

Investment in Africa is entering a period of reassessment. The familiar narratives of rapid growth and untapped potential are giving way to a more selective and pragmatic view. Investors are no longer asking whether Africa is attractive in general, but where capital can operate efficiently amid shifting economic, political, and structural conditions. This change in perspective reflects broader global trends. Rising financing costs, tighter risk controls, and heightened geopolitical uncertainty are forcing investors to refine their strategies. In Africa, these pressures are amplified by regional diversity, uneven infrastructure, and varying regulatory maturity. Within this evolving landscape, platforms positioning Africa as…

Thunes has announced a collaboration with Sterling Bank, a Nigerian commercial bank, to facilitate cross-border payments for Nigerians living abroad. The partnership aims to provide a faster and more reliable way for diaspora customers to send funds to Nigeria. With an estimated 17 million Nigerians residing overseas, the demand for secure and efficient financial connections to home has increased. Through Thunes’ Direct Global Network, Sterling Bank will extend its services across several European markets, enabling account holders to make instant cross-border payments. This offers a consistent method for managing finances and supporting families in Nigeria. “Together, we’re enabling a new…

Across Africa, retail is changing fast—and at the center of this transformation is the simple act of paying. Today’s shoppers expect speed, convenience, and digital flexibility, and businesses that can’t deliver are falling behind. For Nigerian retailers, integrating mobile wallets with POS systems is no longer a tech upgrade—it’s a necessity. This seamless setup allows for cashless retail solutions that improve sales, customer loyalty, and daily operations. In a world where phones have become wallets and data drives decisions, POS wallet integration is the foundation of smarter retail across the continent. The Push Toward Seamless Checkout in Africa The need…

North Africa, comprising Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Western Sahara, is rapidly emerging as a hotspot for fintech innovation. The region is witnessing the rise of a dynamic fintech ecosystem, where startups are leveraging technology and innovative business models to improve access to financial services and transform key sectors including banking, payments, investment and lending. Several of these companies have become regional leaders, attracting large customer bases and significant investor attention. Among them, MNT-Halan stands out as one of the continent’s fintech unicorns and one of its most valuable fintech firms. Founded in 2018, MNT-Halan is a leading fintech…

Africa’s fintech and technology sectors are growing rapidly, driven by a young population, widespread smartphone use, and the rapid adoption of mobile payments. Across Lagos, Nairobi, Cape Town, and Lusaka, founders are challenging traditional finance, logistics, and digital services with new solutions. Despite this momentum, many teams underestimate the effect that early legal and corporate structuring decisions have on their future. These choices directly influence how a company enters markets, raises funds, and pursues regional expansion. “Many startups fail not because their product is weak, but because their legal foundations are too limited to support growth,” says Anastasia Goncharuk, Chief…

Orange Money Group and Visa have announced a strategic partnership to expand online payment solutions and increase access to financial services across Africa and the Middle East. Orange Money and Visa have renewed their partnership in Botswana, Madagascar, and Jordan, where it is already active. They recently extended it to Côte d’Ivoire, launching a virtual Visa card accessible through the Max it app. The Orange Money Visa virtual card allows users to create a card instantly and fund it from their Orange Money account for secure online payments on local and international websites. Physical cards will be rolled out later…

Forbes Middle East has released its annual selection of the Middle East’s top fintech companies, highlighting the 50 biggest and fastest-growing public and private fintech firms in the region. The 2024 Fintech 50 list showcases key players reshaping the fintech sector across the Middle East. These include digital payment providers, open banking platforms, investment and savings apps, and lending services. Payment companies dominate this year’s list with 26 entries, while buy now, pay later (BNPL) platforms continue to gain traction, with prominent players Tabby and Tamara also featured in the list. Among the represented countries, Egypt leads the pack with…

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy, is the driving force behind the continent’s fintech revolution. The country accounts for 28% of all African fintech companies and is a leading hub for venture capital (VC) funding, capturing the highest share of fintech funding in African fintech companies between 2020 and H1 2024 at roughly 36%. This rapidly growing ecosystem, which now comprises more than 430 fintech companies, also hosts some of the continent’s most prominent and influential players in the industry. Today, we take a look at Nigeria’s top fintechs, showcasing the country’s most impactful fintech companies, highlighting their value propositions, and delving…

I&M Bank Tanzania, in partnership with Mastercard and OpenWay, has launched the country’s first Mastercard World Elite debit and multi-currency prepaid cards, using OpenWay’s Way4 digital payments platform. The cards aim to support Tanzania’s growing demand for digital payments, offering features such as enhanced payment security, lifestyle privileges, and multi-currency functionality. Although Tanzania remains largely cash-driven, digital payments are expanding in urban centres such as Dar es Salaam and Arusha. I&M Bank expects the new cards to encourage adoption by providing travel insurance, global hotel discounts, and multi-currency convenience for international transactions. “Customers increasingly want more than just a card,…

Fintech has emerged as one of the fastest-growing industries in Africa. According to new data released by the Financial Times in collaboration with research company Statista, seven of the top 20 fastest-growing companies on the continent come from the fintech space. The figure gives the sector the lead with a 35% of the top 20. The ranking, released in May, lists the 130 fastest-growing companies in Africa, ordering them according to their compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of revenue between 2020 and 2023. In total, 26 companies in the ranking are from the fintech, finance, and insurance sectors, with fintech…

Africa’s payment landscape is undergoing a rapid and dramatic transformation, fueled by the continued rise of mobile money, the acceleration of alternative payments, and advancements in infrastructure modernization efforts, a new research by Afridigest, commissioned by Zone Network, says. These trends are driving greater efficiency, inclusivity, and economic opportunity across the continent’s ecosystem. The critical role of mobile money The report, released in July, looks at the state of the payment landscape in Africa, highlighting the key trends and developments shaping the sector. In particular, it notes the dynamic payment ecosystem of Africa that’s characterized by an hybrid transformation most…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping key industries in Africa, including finance, healthcare, agriculture, energy, and urban development. Africa’s AI market is projected to grow from US$4.5 billion in 2025 to US$16.5 billion, marking a 27.42% annual increase, according to a new paper by Mastercard. This growth will be driven by opportunities for economic growth, increased productivity, and expanded access to essential services, including financial services. The whitepaper, released earlier this month, highlights AI’s transformative potential across major industries, particularly in job creation where it is expected to create up to 230 million digital jobs projected in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.…

Over the past years, fintech has emerged as a driving force in Africa’s technology landscape, propelled by a surge in venture capital (VC) funding and its consistent outperformance over major tech verticals. According to Partech, a global tech investment firm headquartered in Paris, fintech has consistently outpaced other sectors in deal count, total funding, average ticket size, megadeals, unicorns, and exits, a dominance that has been a defining feature of Africa’s tech ecosystem since the emergence of the VC funding landscape. In 2024, that dominance carried on, with African fintech startups securing US$1.3 billion, or 60% of total equity funding…

Kenya has a vibrant fintech ecosystem, driven by a strong mobile money infrastructure, an increasingly digital-savvy population, and a supportive regulatory environment. In 2023, Kenya had 102 fintech companies, making up 15% of Africa’s fintech startups, according to Disrupt Africa’s Finnovating for Africa 2023 report. This ranks Kenya as the third-largest fintech market in the region, following Nigeria with 217 startups (32% market share) and South Africa with 140 startups (20.6% share). Within Kenya’s burgeoning fintech landscape, several ventures have emerged as category leaders, recording substantial growth and garnering investor attention. Today, we look at some of Kenya’s most successful…