Accra, May 20, 2026 – Group Chief Executive Officer and President of MTN Group, Ralph Mupita, has signalled a major transition in Africa’s digital financial ecosystem, highlighting a gradual shift from USSD based services to smartphone driven and app based financial platforms.
He made the remarks during a fireside chat at the 2026 3i Africa Summit, where industry leaders gathered to discuss the future of digital finance on the continent.
According to Mr. Mupita, Africa’s financial services landscape is undergoing a structural transformation, moving beyond basic mobile money transactions to more advanced, technology enabled financial ecosystems.
“We are in the middle of a transformation for digital finance. Historically, this has been driven by USSD based services on 2G devices. But going forward, we will see a shift toward smartphone driven, app based digital finance experiences,” he said.
He explained that while USSD and feature phone based services played a critical role in expanding financial inclusion across Africa, the next phase will be defined by richer and more integrated digital platforms.
“The next wave of financial services will be app based, more intelligent and more integrated. We will see more digital lending, more seamless payments and a broader ecosystem that includes remittances, embedded finance and emerging technologies,” he added.
Mr. Mupita further noted that the growing penetration of smartphones across African markets will accelerate the transition, allowing more users to access advanced financial services beyond basic transactions.
According to him, the evolution represents a critical step toward building a more inclusive and efficient digital financial system across the continent.
He also stressed the importance of strong regulatory frameworks, consumer protection and innovation friendly environments to support the transition.
“The key is ensuring that innovation is matched with trust and regulation that is clear and forward looking,” he noted.
The 3i Africa Summit was held from May 6 to May 8 in Accra and hosted by the Bank of Ghana in partnership with the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems and the Global Finance and Technology Network. The summit was sponsored by MobileMoney Fintech LTD and focused on the theme, “The Next Frontier: Shaping Africa’s Integrated FinTech Future.”
The summit brought together policymakers, regulators, fintech leaders and investors to explore how Africa can scale digital financial innovation while strengthening trust, inclusion and cross border connectivity.
About MobileMoney Fintech LTD
MobileMoney Fintech LTD is a subsidiary of MTN Ghana responsible for mobile financial services. Launched in 2009, the company has more than 17 million registered subscribers.
The company offers a range of mobile financial services including payment solutions, remittance, BankTech, InsurTech, savings and loans aimed at driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment.
Follow Africa Live News for more updates and stories.
Website: https://www.africalivenews.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Africalivenews
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africalivenews
X: https://x.com/africalivenews2
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@africalivenews.com
