Top digital wallets in Africa [2027]

Looking for a digital wallet in Africa? Compare six providers for payments, personal finances and business transactions

Key takeaways

• Digital wallets let users make digital payments, transfer money, pay bills and purchase goods or services through mobile apps
• OPay, PalmPay, Moniepoint, Kuda, Paga and Orange Money are some digital wallets that work in Africa
• The World Account by WorldFirst helps businesses receive international payments, hold funds and pay overseas suppliers in multiple currencies

Digital wallets in Nigeria are projected to account for 22% of its e-commerce transactions by 2027, up from 11% in 2023. Across Africa, they support everyday transactions through mobile apps, QR codes, payment cards and merchant services, enabling users to make payments and transfer funds digitally.

This guide covers six digital wallets in Africa that businesses and individuals can use for payments. It also explores a multi-currency account by WorldFirst, which supports sending, receiving, holding and converting international funds across the globe.

What is a digital wallet?

A digital wallet is a digital service that allows users to store payment information or hold funds electronically and make transactions without relying exclusively on cash. Depending on the provider, it can support transfers, bill payments, online purchases, QR payments and merchant collections.

Types of digital wallets

• Mobile wallets enable payments and transfers through smartphone apps, often linked to a mobile number
• Digital banking wallets combine digital payments with account services such as savings, transfers and cards
• Merchant wallets and payment platforms help businesses accept customer payments through POS terminals, QR codes, payment links or online checkout
• Telecom wallets use mobile network infrastructure and agent networks to support transfers, payments and cash-in or cash-out services

Top digital wallets in Africa

1. OPay

OPay offers an all-in-one financial app for bill payments, including utilities, telecommunications and internet services in Nigeria.¹ It also includes OPay Now, which offers instalment payments, OPay Checkout for online business collections and payments, and POS machines for merchant payment acceptance.¹

*Fees checked in October 2026

2. PalmPay

PalmPay combines digital payments with banking services in Nigeria.3 Users can make transfers, pay bills, access savings products and explore credit services.³  Its business offering includes payment collections, payouts and APIs supporting bank, wallet, card and mobile money payment methods.³

Fees: Not specified

3. Moniepoint

Moniepoint provides personal and business banking, payment acceptance and operational tools.^4,5  Businesses in Nigeria and Kenya can use its POS terminals, online checkout pages and business accounts to receive customer payments.^5,6 Additional features include spending insights, expense cards, bookkeeping tools and business credit.^4,5,6  USSD payments are supported as well.⁶

*Fees checked in October 2026

4. Kuda

Kuda is a digital bank that works for Nigerian consumers and businesses.^7,8  Personal users can send money, schedule payments, pay bills and purchase airtime or internet data.⁷ Kuda Business offers POS machines, virtual POS, NQR payments, invoicing, payroll, bulk transfers, expense cards and business management tools.⁸ Businesses can also access business financing and registration services along with a Kuda virtual card for payments.⁹

*Fees checked in October 2026

5. Paga

Paga provides a digital wallet supporting payments, money transfers and multi-currency functionality in Nigeria.¹¹  Its services include recurring bill payments and virtual or physical Visa debit cards.¹¹ Users can hold currencies such as NGN and USD in the wallet.¹¹

*Fees checked in October 2026

6. Orange Money

Orange Money is a mobile wallet in Morocco that lets users send and receive money, deposit and withdraw cash, and transfer funds internationally.^14,15  Users can also top up their mobile phones, pay bills and manage their accounts through the Orange Money app.^14,15  The service offers 24/7 account access.¹⁴

*Fees checked in October 2026

How to create a digital wallet account

1. Download the app: Install the provider’s official app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
2. Enter your mobile number: Provide a supported number to begin registration.
3. Verify your identity: Submit the required ID and personal details to complete verification.
4. Set up security: Create a PIN or password to protect your account, and enable biometrics if available.
5. Fund your wallet: Add money through a supported bank transfer, card or authorised agent.

WorldFirst is built for African businesses that make frequent international transfers

Domestic digital wallets support everyday transactions, but businesses receiving overseas customer payments, collecting marketplace payouts or paying international suppliers may need a multi-currency account alongside them.

WorldFirst is an international payments provider offering the World Account, a multi-currency account for businesses with international payment requirements. It gives businesses access to local receiving account details in 15+ currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR, CNH and AUD. The account supports receipts from multiple marketplaces and payment gateways.

For business spending, the World Account connects to the World Card, a Mastercard-powered virtual card. The card supports payments in 150+ currencies, with zero fees for payments in 15 supported currencies when sufficient funds are held in the currency being spent.

Key World Account features include

• Get local receiving account details in 15+ currencies to collect payments like a local, hold funds in the original currency without immediate conversion, and pay overseas suppliers when needed
• Collect funds from 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways, including Amazon, Shopify, Stripe and Etsy
• Send money overseas and convert international payments across 200+ countries and regions
• Issue up to 20 virtual cards at zero issuance cost
• Pay suppliers through World Pay, the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com
• Transfer funds at no cost and instantly between World Account holders
• Earn cashback on eligible virtual card spending, terms and conditions apply

*Fees checked in October 2026

FAQs

1. What are the top digital wallets in Nigeria?

Options include OPay, PalmPay, Moniepoint, Kuda, and Paga.^1,3,4,7,11  For international business payments, WorldFirst’s World Account lets businesses receive international payments, hold funds in 15+ currencies and pay overseas suppliers.

2. How do digital wallets work?

Digital wallets let users send money, pay bills and make electronic payments through an app. Depending on the provider, users can add funds through bank transfers, cards or agents, subject to applicable fees and transaction limits.

Sources

1. https://opayeg.com
2. https://www.opaycheckout.com/pricing.html
3. https://www.palmpay.com/business/palmPay/
4. https://moniepoint.com
5. https://moniepoint.com/banking
6. https://moniepoint.com/payments
7. https://www.kuda.com
8. https://www.kuda.com/business/kuda-business-offering/
9. https://www.kuda.com/cards/
10. https://help.kuda.com/en/articles/8954669-faqs
11. https://www.mypaga.com/index.html
12. https://help.paga.com/support/solutions/folders/35000250505
13. https://help.paga.com/support/solutions/articles/35000294152-what-are-the-fees-for-using-my-paga-usd-account-
14. https://www.orange.ma/orangemoney?TSPD_101_R0=08f494b448ab20007523d9954c4ae9f9089b8a8bf996116f76f774adf55bc9971cf849194867da1f08879129b0143000f56308ff082c27d717046f5bb829bd77ab6f273315509a8c3e7350c8ebac6e8f8868c24e1e6f7601154d2f0d85abd6eb
15. https://newsroom.orange.com/orange-launches-orange-money-in-morocco-and-confirms-its-position-as-a-major-player-in-mobile-money-in-africa-and-the-middle-east/?lang=eng

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or professional advice. This article should not be regarded as constituting an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any regulated or financial products or services. WorldFirst makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content, and readers are encouraged to consult with legal professionals or other professionals for advice tailored to their specific situation. WorldFirst does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this article and expressly disclaims any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance on this article.