Cross-border payment infrastructure challenges in Africa

The global payments industry is facing a critical turning point as international trade expands. In Africa, businesses increasingly rely on digital transactions, yet cross-border payments are hindered by high costs, fragmented systems, foreign exchange challenges, regulatory complexities, and settlement delays.

These inefficiencies particularly impact small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets, limiting their access to international opportunities. For sectors such as manufacturing, construction, logistics, aviation, and energy services, delayed payments and excessive fees can disrupt cash flow and reduce profit margins.

Addressing these issues requires robust digital infrastructure that provides affordable, secure, and reliable transactions, alongside transparent FX pricing and predictable settlement timelines. According to McKinsey & Company’s Global Payments Report 2025, the global payments industry generated approximately $2.5 trillion in revenue in 2024, with $2.0 quadrillion in payment flows and 3.6 trillion transactions worldwide.