Mobile Money, digital loans, savings: MTN details its strategy at the Benin Investment Forum

At BIF 2025, MTN Benin claims to have one million users for its digital loan service launched in 2024. The telecoms operator is calling for higher mobile money ceilings and is promoting mobile savings as a lever for mobilizing local capital.

At the Benin Investment Forum 2025, MTN Mobile Money presented its latest advances in digital financial services. According to its Managing Director Serge Soglo, a million customers have already used the digital loan service launched a year ago by the subsidiary of the South African technology group.

Speaking on a panel dedicated to the continent’s financial architecture, Mr. Soglo highlighted the growing impact of mobile money on the Beninese economy. He cited a GSMA report estimating its contribution at over 8% of national GDP, compared with an average of 5% in West Africa. BCEAO figures confirm this dynamic, with the financial inclusion rate rising from 53.5% in 2013 to 87.7% in 2023.

Created in 2010, MTN Benin’s Mobile Money division boasts an expanded offering, now including loans ranging from FCFA 1,000 to FCFA 100,000, accessible without the need for a form or application study. For the time being, the company has no plans to increase this ceiling, but is calling for a change in regulations concerning thresholds for electronic wallets and mobile money transactions. In particular, the company is calling for the current limit of 2 million euros to be raised.

source: agence ecofin