Payments/CG
Congo
ISO CG · 3 schemes
Summary
- MTN Mobile Money 60% market share
- Airtel Money 40% market share
- APEP association formed March 2024
- 5.9 million mobile subscribers
- Congo Telecom new entrant Dec 2024
Banking landscape
Central Bank
- Name: BEAC (Bank of Central African States)
- Website: https://www.beac.int/
- Role: Regional monetary policy (CEMAC zone)
Major Banks (2024)
| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BGFIBANK Congo | Regional | BGFI Mobile |
| 2 | Société Générale Congo | International | SG Mobile |
| 3 | Ecobank Congo | Pan-African | Ecobank Mobile |
| 4 | LCB Bank | Local | LCB App |
| 5 | UBA Congo | Pan-African | UBA App |
Market Structure
- MTN: Market leader (60%)
- Airtel: Major competitor (40%)
- Congo Telecom: New entrant (Dec 2024)
- CEMAC zone: Shared CFA franc
Payment infrastructure
National Payment Systems
| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTN Mobile Money | MMC SA | Mobile money | Dominant |
| Airtel Money | MCC SA | Mobile money | Active |
| APEP | Industry | Association | Active (2024) |
Market Statistics (2023)
- 5.9 million mobile subscribers
- 99.3% prepaid subscriptions
- MTN: 72.4% of revenues
- Airtel: 27.6% of revenues
APEP Formation (March 2024)
- Professional association
- MMC SA + MCC SA members
- Regulatory compliance
- Financial transaction security
QR code standards
Mobile Money QR (Limited)
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| MTN MoMo | QR capable |
| Airtel Money | Developing |
| Standard | Proprietary |
| Adoption | Emerging |
MTN MoMo Features
- QR code payments
- Scan and pay
- Merchant acceptance
- Virtual card (Mastercard)
APEP Association Goals
- Transaction speed guarantee
- Secure technical environment
- Legal framework compliance
- Payment system modernization
Mobile payment apps
| App | Provider | QR | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTN Mobile Money | MMC SA | Yes | Full wallet |
| Airtel Money | MCC SA | Limited | Mobile money |
MTN Mobile Money
- Dominant mobile money
- QR code payments
- Bill payments
- P2P transfers
- Merchant payments
Airtel Money
- Second major operator
- Mobile money services
- Growing network
- Financial inclusion driver
Xsolla Integration (Dec 2024)
- MTN MoMo for gaming
- Mobile money wallets
- Credit card alternative
- International purchases
Schemes
| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTN MoMo | Mobile money | QR | 60% share | mtn-momo |
| Airtel Money | Mobile money | App | 40% share | airtel-money |
| APEP | Association | Industry | 2024 | — |
Sources
- iPRIS - Mobile Sector Analysis
- Agence Ecofin - Mobile Money Association
- Extensia Tech - Financial Inclusion
- News Ghana - Xsolla MTN Extension
- Airtel Congo - Airtel Money
- Developing Telecoms - Congo Telecom
- Traveltomtom - SIM Cards
- MboaMoney - Money Transfers