Côte d’Ivoire is strengthening its position as a leading mobile money market in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), with the highest transaction value in the region, according to the BCEAO’s latest data.

In 2024, mobile money transactions in Côte d’Ivoire reached 55.7 trillion CFA francs, representing 33.3% of the total value recorded across the eight-member UEMOA bloc.

Senegal ranked second with about 48.5 trillion CFA francs.

Côte d’Ivoire also had the largest number of electronic money accounts in the region, with nearly 100 million accounts opened in 2024 around 40% of the UEMOA total.

The figures highlight the growing role of mobile financial services in the Ivorian economy, where mobile money has moved beyond simple person-to-person transfers to become an important payment tool for businesses and consumers.

One of the strongest areas is merchant payments.

Côte d’Ivoire recorded about 8.8 trillion CFA francs in merchant mobile money payments in 2024, accounting for more than half of the value recorded across UEMOA.

The country also led the region in cross-border digital payments within UEMOA, recording nearly 33 million transactions worth around 1.9 trillion CFA francs in 2024.

However, Côte d’Ivoire does not lead the bloc in every indicator. Senegal recorded a higher number of mobile money transactions by volume, with Côte d’Ivoire ranking second.

The distinction is important: Côte d’Ivoire’s strength lies particularly in the monetary value of transactions, the size of its electronic-money account base and the rapid development of digital payments.

The trend reflects a broader transformation of financial services in West Africa, as mobile technology increasingly allows millions of people and businesses to make payments without relying exclusively on traditional banking infrastructure.

For Côte d’Ivoire, the challenge will now be to convert its strong mobile money ecosystem into broader financial inclusion, stronger digital commerce and deeper regional payment integration.