(lavoixdesentreprises.info) – The telecommunications landscape in Africa is rapidly evolving, with increasing attention being paid to digital financial services. As the sector seeks to adapt to contemporary challenges, securing transactions becomes imperative to maintain user trust.
The telecommunications sector in Africa, which has long been driven by the growth of voice services, is redefining itself in the face of the emergence of digital financial services. Estimated at $63.17 billion in 2024, this sector could reach $82.34 billion by 2029, thanks to the frenzied adoption of digital technologies by the continent’s youth. This shift highlights an unprecedented opportunity for operators, who are turning towards innovative financial solutions to expand their customer base and stimulate economic inclusion.
Services such as mobile money, insurance, and digital banking solutions play a crucial role in integrating millions of unbanked Africans into the formal economy. In 2022, GSMA reported a 17% growth in mobile money accounts in Sub-Saharan Africa, reaching 763 million active accounts processing colossal transactions worth $832 billion. This phenomenon not only reflects the enthusiasm for digital finance but also its potential to transform the economic landscape of the continent.
However, this rapid expansion is accompanied by legitimate concerns, particularly regarding security. While established operators have had time to develop robust protections against fraud, new entrants must exercise heightened vigilance. Mobile money fraud reached over $1 billion in 2021, an alarming figure that underscores the need for a rigorous security framework. Operators must therefore prioritize data protection and transaction security to maintain user trust, which is essential for their success.
Faced with an increasingly complex regulatory environment, telecommunications must navigate between legal requirements, customer protection, and profitability. Several African governments have implemented measures to strengthen tax collection and combat financial crime, creating additional pressure on operators. The ability to quickly adapt to these regulatory changes becomes a strategic imperative.
To address these challenges, many operators choose to restrict customer registration to their own points of sale. This strategy aims to enhance control over the subscription process, ensuring that only trusted agents are involved. However, this approach can slow down the acquisition of new customers, which is essential for growth. Finding a balance between efficient registration and regulatory compliance is crucial.
An innovative solution to this dilemma lies in collaborating with partners who have a deep understanding of local realities. Technological tools, such as those offered by companies like Itemate, enable registration through agents while ensuring data traceability. These solutions also facilitate self-registration, thereby minimizing the risk of personal information disclosure.
By integrating artificial intelligence to validate customer data and ensuring compliance with local regulations, these technologies provide a tailored response to security challenges. They serve as a lever for operators wishing to expand their customer base while protecting users against fraud risks.
Thus, the future of telecommunications in Africa appears promising, but it relies on the sector’s players’ ability to innovate while securing their services. The transition to digital financial solutions represents an essential path to stimulate the continent’s economic development, provided that security and user trust remain at the core of operators’ concerns.
Sorelle Ninguem
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