Mastercard has increased its acceptance network in Africa by 45% this year, boosting digital payments and financial inclusion for millions of consumers and small businesses. This growth highlights the company's investments in new markets, product innovations, and SME support across the continent. The expansion supports Africa's projected $1.5 trillion digital payments market by 2030.
Mastercard's acceptance network in Africa grew by 45% in 2025, a milestone that integrates more consumers and small businesses into the digital economy. This progress stems from new market entries in Ghana, Uganda, and Mauritius, with plans for further expansions in 2026. The company also expanded its workforce by nearly 20% to enhance local solutions.
Key advancements include digital infrastructure upgrades like tokenization, digital identity, and virtual cards for secure payments. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which form Africa's economic backbone, Mastercard introduced tools such as tap-on-phone solutions, the Mastercard Payment Gateway System (MPGS) for e-commerce, QR payments, point-of-sale systems, and virtual card issuance. Consumer spending is rising, with increases of 4% in Kenya, 3.4% in Morocco, 6% in Nigeria, and 1.9% in South Africa.
In the past 18 months, Mastercard launched 15 SME-focused programs through collaborations with governments, FMCGs, and telcos. Notable initiatives include a digital marketplace in Morocco benefiting 2.3 million artisans, QR-on-Card solutions with UBA and WEMA for 1.8 million SMEs and gig workers, and USD cards with Zenith Bank aiding over 50,000 SMEs in cross-border trade. In Kenya, Mauritius, and Tanzania, partnerships with banks like NMB, AfrAsia, Family Bank, and KCB empower more than 200,000 SMEs.
Financial inclusion efforts feature the Community Pass platform, aiming to register 15 million users in Africa over five years; it has already reached 1.2 million smallholder farmers in Uganda. The Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance, launched in May 2024, targets 100 million individuals and businesses by 2034, with Kenyan projects providing internet and training to 10,000 farmers and digitizing profiles for 80,000 more.
Mark Elliott, Division President for Africa at Mastercard, stated: “2025 has been a defining year for Mastercard in Africa. From acceptance growth to new digital capabilities, our focus has been on solutions that bring people and small businesses into the heart of the digital economy.” Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager for West Africa, added: “West Africa is one of the continent’s fastest-growing digital corridors. Mastercard’s security-led innovations and acceptance expansion helped more SMEs and young entrepreneurs access modern payments.”
Looking ahead, Mastercard anticipates AI driving growth, with Africa's AI market reaching $16.5 billion by 2030, and plans continued investments in 2026 for secure, connected economies.