Mobile Payments and Services Reach $2 Trillion Milestone Amid Growth in Adoption

Global Mobile Money Transactions Surpass $2 Trillion Mark

Mobile money transactions globally crossed the $2 trillion mark in 2025, according to the GSMA's State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2026. The industry has seen a rapid expansion of digital financial services and a shift towards deeper usage beyond basic payments.

The report noted that more than $2.1 trillion flowed through mobile money in 2025, highlighting that the industry doubled transaction value in just four years after taking two decades to reach the first trillion. The growth is being driven not just by new users, but by rising usage.

Key Statistics:

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Mobile money adoption also continued to expand, with 2.3 billion registered mobile money accounts recorded globally, marking the largest-ever annual increase in absolute terms. A key trend emerging from the data is the increasing use of mobile money for everyday payments. Merchant payments were the fastest-growing use case, rising 42% to $155 billion.

At the same time, integration between mobile wallets and traditional banking systems is gaining pace. The report highlighted that bank-to-mobile transfers stood at $167 billion, while mobile-to-bank transfers reached $163 billion, reflecting growing interoperability and reduced reliance on cash transactions.

The study also pointed to a structural shift in the nature of services offered through mobile money platforms. Savings and insurance expanded fastest in 2025, with providers increasingly focusing on financial health rather than just access to payments.

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Profitability across the sector has improved significantly, with nearly 80% of surveyed providers reporting profits in 2025, supported by rising revenues and diversified income streams. However, the report flagged key challenges, including regulatory hurdles and rising fraud risks.

The GSMA also noted that a wide gender gap in mobile money account ownership persists across most surveyed countries, highlighting the need for targeted policy interventions. Mobile money continues to play a critical role in financial inclusion, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where millions rely on it as their primary financial tool.