Connecting Africa to the global economy through Embedded Banking

Across Africa, a new financial chapter is unfolding. 

In a region where traditional banking infrastructure has long been limited, mobile phones have become a primary gateway to financial inclusion. At the end of 2024, the region had over 1.1 billion mobile money accounts, with over 280 million active monthly users.  

This mobile-first model is helping people save, invest, and transact in ways that were previously out of reach. From bustling cities to remote villages, digital innovation is redefining what it means to access and use money. 

At the same time, Africa’s fintech ecosystem is booming. Startups and financial institutions are building platforms that serve local needs with global ambition. But even with this progress, many individuals and businesses still face limitations when it comes to secure, international financial services. 

Local fintechs often lack access to U.S. banking infrastructure, international payments networks, and global card issuance capabilities—all of which are increasingly essential in a connected world. 

With embedded banking, Zenus can help close this gap and unlock new opportunities. As a U.S. regulated financial institution and Visa Principal Member, Zenus is committed to partnering with Africa’s innovators to deliver borderless financial solutions that are secure, scalable, and designed for impact. 

A mobile-first region with global potential 

Africa is home to the youngest population in the world and one of the fastest-growing rates of digital adoption. Mobile money has become a cornerstone of financial life. In many countries, it’s more common to have a mobile money account than a traditional bank account. 

Even with this remarkable progress, many African consumers and businesses remain disconnected from international systems. They face challenges when trying to open U.S. bank accounts, make cross-border payments, receive foreign income or issue globally accepted debit cards. These limitations make it harder to scale, trade, or serve diaspora communities. 

As global commerce and remote work increase, there is a clear need for platforms that can integrate local agility with international capability. 

Embedded banking: designed to scale with Africa 

Embedded banking allows non-bank institutions—like fintechs, neobanks, and mobile platforms—to offer regulated financial services natively within their ecosystems. Rather than becoming a bank, they can partner with one to offer accounts, cards, and payments with full compliance and security. 

Zenus provides the global infrastructure needed to unlock these capabilities. As a U.S. regulated financial institution and Visa Principal Member, Zenus enables platforms in Africa to seamlessly connect with the global economy through: 

• Secure, U.S.-based personal and business accounts 

• Internationally accepted USD Visa debit cards 

• Make and receive payments in over 40 currencies 

• Scalable embedded banking solutions—no need to build costly back-end systems 

With one integration, partners gain access to our embedded banking toolkit—tailored to help them grow and connect globally. This is more than just technology—it’s a new model for scaling inclusive and borderless finance in emerging markets. 

Inclusion with purpose: Our UNEP FI commitment 

Zenus Bank is a proud member of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)—a global network of financial institutions working together to build a more sustainable, inclusive economy. By providing access to U.S. financial infrastructure, Zenus helps fintechs and institutions across the continent build services that: 

• Empower small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs 

• Expand access to financial tools for women and youth 

• Enable safe remittances and cross-border income flows 

• Support digital payments in education, health, and agriculture 

Embedded banking is not just as a service- it’s a level for social impact. The more people and communities that are included in the global economy, the more resilient and equitable systems become. 

A shared opportunity 

Africa’s fintech market is expected to exceed $65 billion in revenue by 2030. But behind this number lies something far more important: opportunity. 

Opportunity for an entrepreneur in Dakar to access international markets. For a freelancer in Kigali to receive payments in USD. For a neobank in Accra to issue a card that works around the world. 

With the right partnerships, these stories become possible—and scale. 

Let’s build the future of finance in Africa→ Talk to our team