Orange Money and JUMO partner to deliver AI-driven microloans and digital credit access across Francophone Africa

Orange Money Group has joined forces with JUMO, a leading banking-as-a-service fintech, to strengthen digital financial services and expand microcredit offerings across Africa

This strategic partnership aims to bring financial inclusion to underserved and unbanked populations, with an initial focus on Francophone Africa.

With a customer base of over 100 million across 16 countries in Africa and the Middle East, Orange Money Group processed more than EUR 160 billion (approx. US$174bn) in transactions in 2024. JUMO, which has already disbursed over US$8 billion to more than 31 million African users, brings its advanced AI-driven technology and deep experience in data analytics and credit risk management to the collaboration.

The partnership will enable Orange Money Group to enhance its value proposition by introducing tailored microcredit solutions via mobile platforms. JUMO’s AI tools, refined over a decade, optimise credit allocation and reduce lending risk to below 4%, supporting sustainable financial services at scale.

A multi-country rollout of diverse credit products will follow, facilitated by JUMO’s partnerships with pan-African banks and development finance institutions. Orange Money Group customers will be able to access these credit services directly from their mobile phones—without a bank account or the need for collateral.

The credit process is simple:

• Customers access the service through their Orange Money wallet

• Request a loan amount

• JUMO’s AI assesses their eligibility based on transactional data

• If approved, funds are credited instantly

• Repayment is automated according to the agreed schedule

Aminata Kane, CEO of Orange Money Group, stated, “After developing transfer and payment services used thousands of times every second, we now aim to support our customers in their personal projects, as well as help them manage everyday emergencies. In recent years, Orange Money has expanded its portfolio with highly accessible small loan offers. By partnering with JUMO, we aim to accelerate this momentum, roll out these services across a wide range of countries, and combine our expertise with their technology to deliver support that is even faster, more transparent, and better tailored to the needs of all our customers.”

Andrew Watkins-Ball, CEO and founder of JUMO, added, “We are proud to have been chosen to partner with Orange and we are excited to connect Orange customers with products from the market leading banks that run on our platform. This collaboration, built on top of Orange Money Group's mobile payments and money transfer platforms, will provide customers with great financial choices and allows our bank partners to grow in new markets.”

The first country to benefit from this rollout will be Burkina Faso, followed by Mali and Botswana.

AXIAN Telecom attracts strong investor demand for US$600mn bond maturing in 2030

AXIAN Telecom, a prominent pan-African operator in telecommunications, mobile financial services, and digital infrastructure, has successfully completed the pricing of its US$600mn Senior Notes due in 2030

The bond deal, finalised on 25 June 2025, drew significant interest from international investors. Initially marketed at around 7.875%, the notes were priced at a 7.250% coupon with a yield of 7.375%. This strong outcome, achieved despite global financial uncertainties, reflects high investor confidence. The offering was nearly three times oversubscribed at its peak, with participation from a broad mix of high-quality institutional investors.

Funds raised through this issuance will be used to refinance AXIAN Telecom’s notes and term loan, in addition to supporting general corporate initiatives. These include expanding the company’s digital infrastructure footprint, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable growth and bridging the digital divide across its operational markets. A key element of the issuance was AXIAN Telecom’s Sustainable Development Impact Disclosure, which outlines planned investments in infrastructure, wider smartphone access, enhanced mobile financial services, and improved digital connectivity throughout Africa.

The successful issuance illustrates investor optimism toward African markets and reinforces AXIAN Telecom’s position as a leader in innovation and connectivity on the continent.

J.P. Morgan, Standard Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank served as joint lead managers for the transaction. Legal support was provided by Latham & Watkins for AXIAN Telecom and White & Case for the initial purchasers.

“This bond issuance is a testament to the strength of our diversified business model and the trust investors place in our long-term vision. It enables us to accelerate our mission of delivering inclusive digital transformation and connectivity across Africa,” commented Hassan Jaber, CEO, AXIAN Telecom.

Yas Comoros secures US$27mn IFC loan to expand broadband and 5G services

Yas Comoros, a subsidiary of AXIAN Telecom, has announced a new partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to fuel the next stage of digital development across the Union of the Comoros

This collaboration will support the expansion of mobile and fixed broadband infrastructure, promoting economic advancement and greater digital inclusion throughout the islands.

Under the terms of the agreement, IFC will provide a €25 million loan (approx. US$26.75mn) to accelerate infrastructure rollouts, boost network quality, and improve inter-island connectivity. This builds on the IFC’s initial €13 million (approx. US$13.91mn) loan provided in 2019, which supported Yas Comoros’ network launch after being awarded the country’s second telecom licence. That earlier loan, IFC’s first private sector investment in Comoros, was fully repaid in June 2025.

Now undergoing rapid expansion, Yas Comoros is the fastest-growing brand within the AXIAN Telecom group. This new funding will enable the company to meet increasing demand for data services, improve service standards, and invest in advanced technologies such as 5G, fibre to the home (FTTH), and fibre to the office (FTTO), with rollout beginning in 2025.

“This loan is an opportunity not only to modernise our network but also to invest in advanced technologies from 2025, including 5G rollout, FTTH, and FTTO, and thus accelerate the digitisation of the Union of the Comoros over the next five years,” commented Christophe Oliver, CEO of Yas Comoros. “We are committed to delivering improved connectivity solutions across the board, for consumers, SMEs, corporates, and public sector institutions, in alignment with the government’s digital vision,” he continued.

“This partnership with AXIAN Telecom marks a pivotal step in IFC’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation in Comoros and across Africa. This partnership not only supports the country’s digital ambitions, but also unlocks pathways for innovation, financial inclusion, and economic opportunity for all Comorians, especially women, youth, and rural communities,” said Mehita Fanny, IFC country manager for Comoros, Eswatini, Madagascar, Mozambique and Seychelles. “Investing in digital infrastructure is central to IFC’s strategy to foster sustainable development, empower local entrepreneurs, and ensure that no one is left behind in the digital age.”

Commenting on the development, minister of post, communications, digital economy and transparency of Comoros, Oumouri Mmadi Hassani said, “This loan of 25 million EUR granted to Yas Comoros by the IFC represents a key milestone for the telecommunications sector in the Comoros. It will contribute to the expansion and modernization of digital infrastructures, thus providing better connectivity to our entire population, particularly in rural areas. It will also support key projects to stimulate innovation and digital inclusion, enhancing the competitiveness of our businesses and contributing to the country's digital transformation. This is a strong commitment to a sustainable digital future, which will promote economic growth and the well-being of Comorians. We are pleased about the effective involvement of the IFC, which, through this financing, contributes significantly to the development of Comoros' digital economy with unparalleled transparency.”

Onafriq marks 15 years by linking nearly 1 billion mobile wallets and 500 million bank accounts

Onafriq, the continent’s leading digital payments platform, is marking 15 years of innovation and growth by announcing a major achievement: its infrastructure now connects nearly 1 billion mobile money wallets and 500 million bank accounts across Africa

What began as a simple mobile money switch has evolved into a robust, omnichannel network. Onafriq today offers a wide range of services, including cross-border payments, merchant collections, card issuance and processing, agency banking, foreign exchange, and treasury solutions. Its infrastructure enables interoperability across mobile wallets, traditional bank accounts, cards, and offline payment channels—paving the way for a more unified financial ecosystem across Africa.

“We remain fully committed to connecting every individual and business in Africa with each other and the world,” said Dare Okoudjou, founder and CEO of Onafriq. “Fifteen years ago, we set out with a bold ambition: to connect Africa’s mobile money systems and make borders matter less. What we’ve built since then is more than a network—it’s a pan-African infrastructure layer that has evolved in lockstep with the continent’s digital evolution. From mobile money to bank accounts, from remittances to real-time trade—we’ve grown as Africa has grown. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and even more excited about the road ahead.”

From its early days of enabling mobile wallet interoperability, Onafriq has become an essential layer in Africa’s financial services landscape. The network supports everything from peer-to-peer transactions and remittances to merchant services, agency banking, and card solutions.

Currently, Onafriq’s platform connects:

• 961 million registered mobile wallets

• 464 million registered bank accounts

• More than 2,000 cross-border payment corridors

This infrastructure has made it easier for rural populations receiving social benefits, global fintechs entering African markets, and everyday users to access and use digital financial services.

Looking to the future, Onafriq is focusing on building infrastructure that supports localised needs while maintaining the scale of its continent-wide reach. “We are increasingly focused on creating infrastructure with local depth,” said Okoudjou. “A prime example is Nigeria, where we are developing a unique payments stack that combines the strength of our cross-border network with the regulatory and foreign exchange realities of one of Africa’s most dynamic economies. By building infrastructure that reflects local context, we can enable more relevant use cases—moving beyond large numbers of registered mobile money wallets to foster an ecosystem where usage is active, sustained, and impactful.”

In line with its forward-looking approach, Onafriq is exploring blockchain infrastructure and stablecoin solutions to enable near-instant, programmable payments. These innovations are aligned with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and are intended to help the continent leapfrog legacy systems in favour of a mobile-first, real-time digital finance model.

With a strong execution record, an expansive reach, and a deep understanding of African markets, Onafriq continues to invest in infrastructure that supports inclusive growth and economic opportunity—both within nations and across borders.