– Onafriq, Africa’s largest digital payments network, has marked its 15-year anniversary by announcing a major milestone: nearly 1 billion mobile money wallets and 500 million bank accounts now connected through its infrastructure.

Originally launched as a mobile money switch, Onafriq has evolved into a full omnichannel payments network, enabling cross-border disbursements, collections, card issuance, offline agent banking, and foreign exchange services. The company is driving digital interoperability across mobile wallets, bank accounts, cards, and offline payment channels—bringing Africa closer to a seamless financial future.

Dare Okoudjou, founder and CEO of Onafriq, emphasized the company’s mission to bridge financial gaps across the continent. He reflected on the journey, stating that the initial goal was to unify Africa’s mobile money systems and reduce the impact of borders. What began as a connectivity project has grown into a pan-African financial infrastructure, evolving alongside the continent’s digital transformation.

From peer-to-peer transfers to merchant payments and remittances, Onafriq’s network now supports:

This expansive reach has empowered diverse users, from rural recipients of social payments to global fintechs operating in Africa.

As Onafriq enters its next phase, the focus is on deepening local infrastructure without compromising its continental scale. Okoudjou highlighted Nigeria as a key market, where the company is developing a tailored payments solution that merges cross-border capabilities with local regulatory and foreign exchange dynamics.

The CEO stressed the importance of context-driven infrastructure to promote active and sustained financial engagement. Beyond sheer numbers, the goal is to cultivate a thriving payments ecosystem that drives real economic impact.

Onafriq is also pioneering blockchain technology and stablecoin integrations to enable near-instant, programmable payments—a critical step toward real-time, interoperable trade across African currencies. These advancements align with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) objectives, positioning Africa to leapfrog outdated systems in favor of a modern, mobile-first financial landscape.

With its vast experience and proven execution, Onafriq remains committed to building payment infrastructure that fosters prosperity—both across borders and within local communities.