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Mobile money transactions worldwide exceeded $2 trillion in 2025, marking a major milestone in the evolution of digital financial services, according to the State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2026 by the GSMA.
The figure underscores the rapid expansion of the sector, which took 20 years to reach $1 trillion in annual transaction value but doubled that amount in just four years, highlighting accelerating adoption and usage globally.
From modest beginnings 25 years ago, mobile money has grown into a mainstream financial tool, particularly for underserved populations without access to traditional banking. The report reveals that 2.3 billion mobile money accounts were registered in 2025, representing an increase of 268 million new users.
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GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath described mobile money as one of the most impactful financial innovations of the modern era.
“What began as a simple way to move money has evolved into a global financial ecosystem, reshaping how hundreds of millions of people manage their financial lives,” he said.
The report shows that active mobile money accounts, those used within a 30-day period, grew by 15% to 593 million, driven largely by growth in sub-Saharan Africa. Monthly usage rates also increased to 25.7%, the highest level since 2021.
Despite this progress, nearly 75% of registered accounts remain inactive, with challenges such as fraud concerns and transaction taxes pushing some users back toward cash-based transactions.
However, increased usage is helping users improve their financial health, enabling them to manage daily expenses, absorb economic shocks, and plan for the future. This is supported by the growing availability of additional financial services such as credit, savings, and insurance through mobile money platforms.
The report notes a one-third increase in providers offering insurance services in 2025, while mobile-based credit and savings options continue to expand.
Regulation is playing a critical role in shaping the industry’s growth. More than 60% of mobile money providers said policies around interoperability, customer identification (KYC), and consumer protection have supported their operations.
However, challenges remain, particularly around cross-border data transfer rules, which about 24% of providers say hinder their ability to operate efficiently.
A supportive regulatory environment, the report suggests, is essential to sustaining growth and advancing financial inclusion, especially among underserved populations.
The report also highlights a persistent gender gap in mobile money usage across most countries surveyed. While countries like Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria show progress, women in many regions are still less likely than men to actively use mobile money services.
Beyond financial inclusion, mobile money is increasingly being used for humanitarian and social interventions, including rapid disbursement of funds during crises, particularly in remote and vulnerable communities.
Experts, however, stress the need for improved digital financial literacy to ensure safe and responsible usage as the ecosystem expands.
As mobile money continues to scale, industry leaders are calling for greater interoperability, stronger fraud protection, and inclusive policies to ensure sustainable growth.
With transaction values rising faster than user numbers, the sector is entering a new phase of maturity, one that could further transform financial access and economic participation across the globe.
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