BCEAO doubled WAEMU e-money holdings ceiling to CFA4 million from November
BCEAO raised the e-money holdings ceiling to CFA4 million and monthly top-ups to CFA15 million across WAEMU, with Instruction 020 taking effect on 2 November 2026.
OPay filed for New York listing after first-half revenue more than doubled
OPay filed for a New York listing after first-half revenue reached $467.1 million, while Stanbic Africa agreed to invest up to $200 million in a concurrent private placement.
SaoPay began Ghana operations as a regulated electronic money issuer
SaoPay began operations in Ghana as a regulated Dedicated Electronic Money Issuer, entering a market with 85.8 million registered mobile-money accounts and nearly GH¢40 billion in customer balances.
Côte d’Ivoire launched fintech programme under CFA684 million inclusion package
Côte d’Ivoire launched a fintech-support programme within a CFA684 million package covering three financial-inclusion projects, aiming to build technical capacity, support compliance and diversify services beyond payments.
Congo central bank held policy rate at 12.5% as inflation rose
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s central bank kept its policy rate at 12.5%, while annual inflation had risen to 7.25% by end-September and the marginal lending rate remained 16.5%.
Airtel Money began conditional trading after £5.3 billion African listing
Airtel Money began conditional London trading at £1.96, rose as much as 2%, and was quoted at £2, valuing the pan-African payments company at £5.3 billion.
Absa Bank Ghana appointed Stephen Ato Frimpong as board chair
Absa Bank Ghana appointed Stephen Ato Frimpong as board chair from 1 October, succeeding Frances Adu-Mante after he served more than five years as an independent director.
Ghana warned banks against processing payments for 20 unlicensed loan apps
The Bank of Ghana named 20 mobile loan applications operating without approval and warned banks, deposit-takers and payment providers not to process transactions for unlicensed lenders.
Guinea’s AFG Bank secured €60 million Proparco package for SMEs
AFG Bank Guinée signed a €60 million Proparco financing package, combining a €35 million SME loan with €25 million of trade-finance guarantees for Guinean businesses.
South Africa’s FNB launched crypto trading from R10 through VALR
FNB launched cryptocurrency trading for South African customers from R10, offering five digital assets through four existing investment products in partnership with local platform VALR.
Kenya central bank held rate at 8.75% amid inflation rise
Kenya’s central bank kept its benchmark rate at 8.75% for a fourth meeting, while raising its 2026 growth forecast to 5.0% and flagging El Niño risks.
Safaricom and GulfCap Launched Shariah Fund Through M-Pesa in Kenya
Safaricom and GulfCap Investment Bank launched Ziidi Shari’ah through M-Pesa, letting Kenyan customers start with KSh100 and add as little as KSh10 through My OneApp or USSD.