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This blog is part of a series documenting our program’s journey to accelerate the development of inclusive payments systems for universal access to financial services in Africa. #IAmAfricaNenda

The Global Findex 2025: Could Instant Payments be Driving Financial Inclusion in Africa?

Financial inclusion advocates across Africa had reason to celebrate with the launch of the Global Findex 2025. According to new data, the share of adults in Sub-Saharan Africa with either a bank or mobile money account grew from 34% to 58% between 2014 and 2024. Almost 6 in 10 adults now have an account.

Latest blogs

23 April 2025 / Sabine Mensah, Deputy CEO AfricaNenda

The Imperative for Progressive Regulations

In the digital age, modern economies need real-time retail payment infrastructures, known as Instant Payment Systems (IPS), to facilitate quick and seamless money transfers for personal transactions and global trade. To achieve socio-economic goals like financial inclusion and digitalization, IPS must evolve into Inclusive Instant Payment Systems (IIPS), which cater to all users, including those with low financial or digital literacy and small-scale traders. Innovation-friendly regulations are crucial for this transformation, as they foster technological advancements and widespread adoption, ensuring that payment infrastructures are both cutting-edge and inclusive. This blog explores how supportive regulations can unlock the full potential of IPS, particularly in Africa.

27 March 2025 / Nesrine Aouinti, Knowledge Management Lead

Accelerating Action to Bridge the Financial Inclusion Gap

In Africa’s rapidly evolving digital financial landscape, a persistent gender gap remains a significant barrier to achieving financial inclusion for all. Despite significant advancements in mobile connectivity and fintech innovations, women across the continent face disproportionate barriers in accessing and utilizing digital financial tools.

12 March 2025 / Jacqueline Jumah, Director Advocacy & Capacity Development

Data: The Key to Unlocking Inclusive Instant Payments in Africa

Africa’s financial services sector is undergoing a significant transformation, in part through the rapid expansion of instant payment systems (IPS). These open-loop retail payment systems enable irrevocable, low‑value, digital credit push transactions in near real-time for use 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Making them inclusive and widely available across Africa has the potential to drive financial inclusion, given the power of payments to motivate people to sign up for accounts and use them.