A review of Africa’s mobile money agent totals from 2021 to 2024 presents a sharp and decisive message. The distribution of agents across regions is not balanced. It reflects a structural shift that should command the attention of businesses, fintech operators, policymakers, and regulators.
Eastern Africa remains the largest contributor to the continent’s agent network. The region holds more than half of all reported agents. This dominance reflects years of market maturity and strong commercial execution by operators that shaped the early foundation of mobile money.
Western Africa stands in second place with more than one third of the continent’s total. This position reflects the ongoing expansion of agency banking in Nigeria and steady scale up in Ghana, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire. The region has built a strong base and continues to push the limits of agent reach and accessibility.
Central Africa records a smaller yet meaningful share. Growth in this region signals renewed commercial investment and an improved regulatory climate that encourages wider distribution networks.
Northern Africa and Southern Africa account for very small proportions of total agents. Their shares remain low and highlight the need for more consistent policy support and private sector investment. These regions have not yet unlocked the potential that agent networks can deliver for financial access.
This distribution of agents carries real consequences. It shapes where liquidity circulates, where transaction volume concentrates, and where businesses find the most viable ground for digital financial expansion. It also shapes who benefits from financial inclusion and who remains underserved.
The data makes the message clear. Africa’s agent network is expanding but the regional gaps are widening. Leadership in the ecosystem must take these realities seriously. Strategic decisions on investment, regulation, and market entry should now be guided by a precise understanding of where agent capacity is strongest and where it is weak.
Africa’s next wave of financial access will be driven by regions with the scale to sustain it. The numbers point directly to where that momentum sits today. The question now is simple: Are we building a continent where everyone has access, or one where only a few regions lead the future?
Data source: GSMA
Chart illustration: FCS