Africa and the Middle East: Rapidly evolving hotbed for payment innovation.
Africa and The Middle East are rapidly growing eCommerce markets, attributed to the increase in internet and smartphone usage, and adoption of mobile money and other APMs. The region’s eCommerce revenue is projected to reach US$116.8 billion in 2023, with a 12.58% annual growth rate, creating lucrative opportunities for businesses.
Diverse Alternative payment methods, unique consumer behaviors
Reach more consumers in Africa and the Middle East by offering relevant payment methods like M-PESA’s mobile money, Troy, VISA and Mastercard debit/credit cards, local bank transfers, and cash - on - delivery payments. Going local helps you increase sales and boost conversion rates.
Unlock payment opportunities in Africa and the Middle East
- Cameroon
- Egypt
- Uganda
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Morocco
- Nigeria
- Kenya
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Turkey
- Saudi Arabia
- Jordan
Mobile payments for eCommerce market growth
One of the factors driving the growth of eCommerce in Cameroon is its 23m+ mobile phone users in the country. eCommerce companies are taking advantage of the opportunity to reach customers through mobile apps and mobile-friendly websites. Mobile payments are also becoming more popular, with companies like MTN Mobile Money and Orange Money providing easy and convenient ways for customers to pay for their purchases.
Credit & Debit Cards
Mobile Money
Young but growing eCommerce market
Despite being a relatively young market, the eCommerce industry in Egypt has shown signs of steady growth. Supported by approximately 8 million active shoppers and annual sales worth $1.5 billion, about 20% of Egyptian startups have shifted focus to capitalize on the prospects of the eCommerce market. dLocal supports the most relevant omni channels for cash, mobile and bank, as well as Credit and debit cards to win in Egypt’s eCommerce market.
Omnichannel (cash, mobile, bank)
Credit & Debit Cards
Growing adoption of mobile money
eCommerce revenue in Uganda is expected to reach $395.7 by the end of 2023 to become the second largest online market in East Africa after Kenya. Mobile money is growing at a fast pace with 30 million users and a share size of 56%. Yet, card, cash and online banking remain relevant payment methods.
Mobile Money
Credit & Debit Cards
Rapidly growing mobile money market in West Africa
Ghana has achieved the highest mobile money adoption rate in West Africa, boasting of a 39% market share primarily driven by players such as MTN, Vodafone, Tigo, and Airtel. As of present, the banked population in the country stands at 43%, and at least 14 million of its 30.4 million population have participated in online purchases. Merchants looking to grow in this market can access relevant mobile money and card payment methods through dLocal’s direct integration.
Credit & Debit Cards
Mobile Money
Booming eCommerce sector as a result of the COVID- 19 pandemic
Post COVID- 19 pandemic, about 68% of Ivory Coast’s 27 million population have made purchases online. Ivory Coast is leapfrogging into an eCommerce market which is expected to reach $544.11 billion by the end of 2023. The growth of the eCommerce market is driven by the government’s move to digital payments and the adoption of APMs such as mobile money, and card payments.
Mobile Money
Leapfrogging into eCommerce market
Morocco's eCommerce market is experiencing steady growth due in part to the increase in internet usage following COVID-19. Morocco is currently the fastest-growing eCommerce market in the North African region, presenting favorable opportunities for both local and international online sellers. The market is characterized by unique customer profiles, efficient payment systems, and a stable business environment, all of which contribute to Morocco's rapid progress in the eCommerce sector.
Cash
Credit cards
Largest economy in Africa
Nigeria boasts of a GDP of $493.9, a growing population of 214 million, and is the tech capital of Africa. The country is buzzing with FinTech’s springing up, backed by the Central Bank’s “Cashless project” to drive digital payments. The eCommerce market alone is worth $11B, and 50% of the population own a smartphone, therefore mobile optimized checkout flow is key in this market. Alternative payment methods such as card, bank transfer, eWallets, are commonly used by Nigerians to make online payments.
Online bank transfers
Credit & Debit Cards
Fastest growing mobile money market in Africa
Kenya is the fastest growing market for mobile money penetration in Africa with 70+ users. The growing population of 55.6 million and an eCommerce market worth $1.7B, expected to grow by 15.25% annually to reach $2.3B by the end of 2023, are some key factors that make Kenya a potential market to boost sales conversion rates. Despite the growth of mobile money, card payments, bank transfers, eWallets and cash are other commonly acceptable alternative payment methods.
Credit & Debit Cards
Mobile Money
A conducive business environment for eCommerce growth
Rwanda is ranked as the second easiest country to do business, owing to its conducive environment and framework that allows business to thrive. Although the eCommerce market is young, it is growing at a fast pace with increasing adoption of alternative payment methods such as mobile money, and with a growing Internet penetration of 5.6million.
Mobile Money
eCommerce opportunities for growth
Senegal's eCommerce sector has significant room for growth. 20% of the population are banked although credit card and debit card penetration is 9.6%, and 12.5% have made payments online. The use of mobile apps, particularly mobile money platforms like Orange and Wizall Money, has become increasingly important in Senegal's eCommerce market, with a penetration rate of over 31%.
Credit & Debit Cards
Mobile Money
Highest credit card penetration in Africa
Unlike other African markets where credit card penetration is low, South Africa has the highest credit card penetration with a share size of 41%. South Africa is one of the fastest growing economies in Africa making it an attractive market especially in mobile commerce with a smartphone adoption of 60% growing at a fast pace.
Online bank transfers
Credit & Debit Cards
Growing adoption of mobile money
eCommerce revenue in Uganda is expected to reach $395.7 by the end of 2023 to become the second largest online market in East Africa after Kenya. Mobile money is growing at a fast pace with 30 million users and a share size of 56%. Yet, card, cash and online banking remain relevant payment methods.
Mobile Money
Accelerated eCommerce growth with cards
The Turkish eCommerce market contributes about 17% to the worldwide eCommerce growth rate, and is expected to grow exponentially with an estimated CAGR of 14.5% annually to reach a projected market volume of $39,441.6 million by 2027. 85% of eCommerce payments are done by card, especially Troy card, a domestic card scheme, and 40% of merchants accept payments with the Troy Card.
Credit & Debit Cards
Unique consumer shopping culture
eCommerce in Saudi Arabia has been boosted by factors such as high internet penetration, high income levels, and good logistics, leading to 19.3 million online shoppers in 2022. The country has a hybrid consumer culture where consumers enjoy both physical and online shopping, and frequently switch between the two. As the share size of cash payments begin to decline, credit cards and mobile wallets are fast becoming popular payment methods.
eCommerce potential for exponential growth
eCommerce in Jordan brought in over 739 million USD, but the sector still has immense potential for exponential growth, similar to the rest of the Middle East. Jordan currently has approximately 9.95 million internet users, of which only one-third shopped online, generating an average revenue of just over 200 USD per user. However, global trends suggest that this number is expected to rise as more people adopt online shopping.
