Airtel Money, Comviva partner to drive financial inclusion in Africa

Airtel Money, the mobile money arm of Airtel Africa, has launched a next-generation, cloud-native financial services platform in partnership with Comviva. Powered by Comviva’s mobiquity® Pay , the new system marks a major milestone in Airtel Africa’s digital transformation journey, aiming to deliver faster, more secure, and user-friendly financial services to nearly 50 million customers across the continent.

According to Comviva, the rollout begins in Kenya and will gradually expand to other Airtel Africa markets over the next year. The upgraded platform enhances scalability and operational efficiency, empowering Airtel Money to strengthen its role as a comprehensive digital financial ecosystem.

The new system includes over 50 features and more than 120 open APIs, enabling faster innovation, quicker integration with partners, and rapid development of new financial products. It supports advanced payment solutions, simplified money transfers, and improved self-service options to enhance customer convenience.

Built with advanced data protection and security mechanisms, the platform incorporates multi-factor authentication and federated identity tools to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and improve the reliability of digital transactions.

Airtel Money CEO Ian Ferrao said the initiative represents more than a technical upgrade. “With Comviva’s mobiquity Pay, we are building a future-ready financial ecosystem that drives inclusion and creates opportunities for individuals and businesses across Africa,” he stated.

Comviva CEO Rajesh Chandiramani said the partnership highlights the transformative role of digital infrastructure in financial inclusion. “We are proud to partner with Airtel Money on this journey, enabling millions to access secure, seamless, and innovative digital financial services,” he said.

Airtel Money, the mobile financial services arm of Airtel Africa, provides digital payment and money transfer solutions across 14 African countries, allowing users to send and receive money, pay bills, purchase goods, and access financial services via mobile phones. With nearly 50 million registered users, it plays a key role in advancing financial inclusion in regions with limited banking access. Its technology partner, Comviva, a Tech Mahindra subsidiary headquartered in Gurugram, India, is a global leader in digital financial and mobile commerce solutions. Serving over 130 mobile operators and financial institutions in more than 90 countries, Comviva’s flagship platform, mobiquity® Pay , powers some of the world’s largest mobile money ecosystems, enabling secure, scalable, and innovative digital payment experiences across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The Airtel Money–Comviva partnership is expected to have a far-reaching impact on Africa’s economy by strengthening digital financial infrastructure and expanding access to formal financial services. The new platform will help millions of unbanked and underbanked citizens, particularly in rural regions, gain access to secure mobile-based financial tools. By enabling small businesses and entrepreneurs to accept digital payments and manage transactions easily, the initiative will stimulate economic activity and job creation. With its open APIs, the system also promotes fintech innovation, encouraging startups to develop new financial solutions on top of the platform.

Furthermore, the enhanced speed and security of transactions will reduce dependency on cash and increase transparency in financial operations. With Airtel Money operating in 14 African countries, the platform is also poised to strengthen cross-border trade and support the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the continent.