Merchant points growth in UEMOA

The number of merchant points in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) that accept mobile payments has grown significantly, reaching 6.99 million in 2025, up from 3.71 million the previous year.

Active points decline as a proportion

Despite the overall increase, only 42.5% of these merchant points are active, a drop from 45.95% in 2024. This means that the number of active points increased by 74.4%, but not as fast as the total number of points.

Mobile transaction value rises

Mobile phone transactions in the region reached 219,151 billion CFA francs in 2025, up from 156,889 billion in 2024. This represents a 39.7% increase in value, with the number of transactions also rising by 37.3%.

Challenges in payment system growth

The West African Central Bank (BCEAO) is working to expand electronic payments through its interoperable instant payment system (PI-SPI), which offers lower fees. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that the growing number of merchant points translates into regular use of mobile payments by consumers.

Focus on actual usage over numbers

The BCEAO emphasizes that while the number of equipped points is important, it is their actual activity that determines the impact of electronic money on consumer habits. This is crucial for understanding how mobile payments influence daily spending patterns.