Telecommunication operators in Africa have seen mobile money as a growth niche. A reality that is confirmed in East Africa, but that is struggling to materialize for several UEMOA operators.

Data published by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Côte d'Ivoire (ARTCI) mentioned that in Côte d'Ivoire, revenues from electronic money services for mobile operators reached 7.2 billion FCFA ($11 million) during the second quarter of 2022.

Indeed, according to the same data, most mobile money revenues for mobile telephone operators are recorded with the subsidiary responsible for electronic money “ORANGE Mobile money CI”. Nevertheless, over the period analyzed, mobile money revenues for all Ivorian operators represented only 3% of their cumulative turnover, with revenues dominating on voice services (52%) and Internet services (36%).

In Côte d'Ivoire and West African countries such as Senegal, the contribution of mobile money as a revenue growth niche for operators may continue to be under pressure.