Digital Payments, Cross-Border Remittances and Financial Inclusion in Southern Africa

Sean Sithole
September 22, 2025

Disclaimer: This policy brief has been reviewed by the Future of Digital Finance conference organizers but has not been through CIGI’s formal editing process.

Digital payments, mobile money, and financial technologies are reshaping cross-border remittances, making them faster, cheaper, more secure, and more accessible alternatives to traditional banking services. Digital payments widen access for unbanked, underbanked and underserved groups, including undocumented migrants, women, low income earners, rural households and informal traders. Expanding digital and mobile technology-based channels and AI requires relaxed regulations, better infrastructure, affordable devices and services, and improved literacy to support users as well as enhance digital inclusion. Policy, economic, and governance challenges include: High costs, the digital divide, poor infrastructure, bureaucratic processes, regulatory barriers, and privacy and cybersecurity concerns, which necessitate harmonized policies and equitable and inclusive development.