Africa Cross-Border Digital Payments Market Nears $1 Trillion by 2035

Africa is experiencing a transformative surge in digital financial services, driven largely by its young, tech-savvy population and the rapid expansion of mobile money platforms. The continent's cross-border payments market is projected to grow from $329 billion in 2025 to $1 trillion by 2035, fueled by fintech innovation, mobile money expansion, and regulatory reforms that aim to reduce costs and improve accessibility. This growth is simultaneously creating opportunities for financial inclusion, connecting millions who were previously unbanked, especially women, rural populations, and small business owners. However, the rapid digitalization also brings challenges such as cybersecurity risks and predatory lending practices, highlighting the need for stronger regulation and collaboration among fintechs, governments, and investors. Industry leaders like Flutterwave’s CEO emphasize the importance of homegrown solutions and unified financial systems to sustain this momentum and empower Africa’s economic future. Events like the Digital Finance Africa 2025 conference underline the continent's commitment to advancing secure, inclusive financial innovation through AI, compliance, and cross-sector collaboration.