Afripoli

West Africa routes mobile money transfers through central bank platform

4 November 2026

Since 2 November, every transfer between different mobile money and bank providers in the eight-member West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) must run through PI-SPI, the instant payment platform of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). Transfers up to a daily total of 8,000 CFA francs (about $13) are free, which the BCEAO says covers 75% of e-money transactions, and larger ones are capped at 0.8%. The platform, launched in September 2025, connects 175 banks, e-money issuers and payment firms. A shared public switch lets any wallet reach any other at a regulated price, but users reported failed transfers in the first days. Cross-border payments within the union follow in June 2027.

Business & Technology · Tags: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Central Bank of West African States, West African Economic and Monetary Union, Wave, Orange Money

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