CD
Payment trends and fintech news from CD
Esca Finance Partners with MANSA for Same-Day African Payment Settlements
Esca Finance has partnered with MANSA to enable same-day payment settlements across key African corridors, utilizing stablecoin-backed infrastructure. This collaboration aims to enhance liquidity and accelerate cross-border transactions for businesses, reducing the need to pre-fund accounts in multiple markets.
African Central Banks Urged to Strengthen Cross-Border Payment Cooperation
African monetary authorities are facing calls to enhance collaboration on cross-border payments to reduce costs and boost efficiency. This comes as regional central banks in Central and West Africa advance new cooperation agreements and instant payment systems, while national regulators like Nigeria's seek tighter oversight of the fintech sector.
GSMA Coalition Selects Six African Nations for $40 Smartphone Pilots
A coalition led by the GSMA has chosen six African nations to pilot $40 smartphones, targeting the main barrier to mobile internet access. The initiative, involving major tech and telecom firms, will test commercial models in the second half of 2026 to drive sustainable adoption.
DR Congo Accuses MTN of Operating Illegally, Demands $2.2 Billion
The Democratic Republic of Congo's telecom regulator accuses MTN of operating its mobile money service illegally and demands $2.2 billion. MTN denies the allegations, stating it has all required authorizations, setting the stage for a major regulatory dispute.
DRC Regulator Accuses MTN of Operating Without Licence in Border Region
The DRC's telecom regulator has ordered MTN to halt operations of unlicensed base stations in the volatile eastern border region, citing regulatory violations. MTN says it is engaging with authorities to clarify the situation, which highlights broader tensions over network expansion and regulatory control in African telecoms.
Paratus Activates Fibre Route Linking Goma to Mombasa
Paratus Group has activated new terrestrial fibre optic routes connecting Goma, DRC, to Mombasa, Kenya, enhancing digital backbone infrastructure in East Africa. The development aims to support regional trade and connectivity, occurring alongside significant regulatory disputes in South Africa's telecom and banking sectors.
DRC Aims to Launch National Interbank Payments Platform by 2026
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is planning to launch a national interbank payments platform by the end of March 2026. The initiative aims to modernize financial infrastructure and promote financial inclusion.
PawaPay CEO Warns African Mobile Money Growth at Risk from Regulatory Hurdles
PawaPay's CEO has highlighted regulatory uncertainty as a major challenge for mobile money growth in Africa, as various countries pursue different approaches to payments modernization. The warning comes as Ghana admits six fintechs to its regulatory sandbox for virtual assets, while other nations like DRC prepare to launch new payments infrastructure.