Ismaël Kouassi, Director for Côte d’Ivoire at PawaPay: We act as a facilitator, enabling businesses to integrate seamlessly into the African mobile money ecosystem.
As the head of PawaPay in Côte d’Ivoire, Ismaël Kouassi explains how this fintech leader provides the vital infrastructure for companies, banks, and SMEs to access diverse payment networks through a single entry point. He emphasizes that the company’s mission is to streamline the processes of payments, disbursements, and financial flow management.
The UEMOA zone, led by Côte d’Ivoire, is currently one of the most vibrant regions for digital finance in Africa. This momentum is fueled by high mobile money adoption and modern regulatory frameworks like the BCEAO’s PI-SPI platform. Ismaël Kouassi believes the synergy between traditional banking and mobile money will be the primary engine for financial growth in the coming years, particularly for SMEs. By removing technical hurdles, PawaPay aims to accelerate economic integration and investment across the continent.
PawaPay is described as a payment infrastructure provider offering unified dashboards and consolidated treasury across twenty African nations. What does this infrastructure role look like in practice, and where do your responsibilities differ from those of banks or mobile operators?
The simplest way to view PawaPay is as a bridge that connects businesses to the mobile money economy. Today, mobile money is a cornerstone of African finance. With over $2 trillion in transactions recorded globally in 2025, it is clear this is no longer a niche service but a fundamental pillar of trade. Our task is to provide the technological layer that allows a money transfer company to send funds to mobile wallets, helps an ISP collect monthly fees, or enables a ride-hailing app to pay its drivers.
Our primary function is to grant businesses entry to this ecosystem via a single integration point.
We handle the complex orchestration of payments, tracking, and reconciliation. Meanwhile, mobile money operators manage the actual customer accounts and electronic currency. Banks continue to provide essential banking services and safeguard funds, while regulators oversee market integrity. We provide the access that allows commerce to flourish across multiple markets simultaneously.
With operations in 20 African markets, what logic dictated your initial choices, and what factors influence your current expansion?
We focused on regions where mobile money was already deeply embedded in daily economic life. Africa has some of the world’s most advanced digital payment systems, and we wanted to be where businesses were most eager to reach their customers. Our growth is driven by three main factors. First is client demand; we follow our partners like Bolt, Yango, or LemFi as they enter new territories. Second is the health of the local payment environment.
We prioritize markets where digital commerce and financial services are becoming central to the national economy.
Finally, we look for long-term partnership potential. Building infrastructure takes years, and trust with local financial institutions and operators is paramount. We aren’t just adding countries to a list; we are building a cohesive network that allows businesses to scale across the entire continent.
Côte d’Ivoire and the wider UEMOA region are often cited as rising fintech hubs. What makes this area so attractive for a panafrican payment infrastructure?
The UEMOA region is already a global leader in digital payments. West Africa handled nearly $500 billion in mobile money transactions in 2025, with over 517 million registered accounts. Côte d’Ivoire is at the heart of this, serving as the region’s economic engine with more than 13 million active mobile money users.
The strategic importance of Côte d’Ivoire cannot be overstated; it is a primary financial hub with a massive, active user base.
The commitment to regional infrastructure is also a major factor. The BCEAO’s PI-SPI instant payment platform, which already connects over 80 institutions including banks and microfinance entities, is a perfect example of this. For a firm like PawaPay, this means a single regulatory shift or partnership in Côte d’Ivoire can have a ripple effect across the entire region. The combination of Abidjan’s geographic position, a strong banking sector, and a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit makes it a unique environment.
When a bank in francophone Africa partners with PawaPay, what are the tangible benefits beyond technical access?
Banks and payment infrastructures are natural partners. Banks remain the specialists in liquidity management, compliance, and core financial services. However, the rise of mobile money is undeniable. In 2025, transfers between bank accounts and mobile wallets reached approximately $167 billion. The future is a hybrid model where banks and mobile money coexist and support each other.
The future of finance is not a choice between banks or mobile money, but rather the integration of both.
PawaPay allows banks to view and manage flows across multiple ecosystems through a single connection. This is vital for serving SMEs, many of whom already collect payments through mobile wallets. By integrating these digital flows, banks can offer more sophisticated and valuable services to growing businesses.
How do you see the mobile money landscape evolving over the next five years?
Growth is now coming from several directions at once. Financial inclusion in the UEMOA rose from 56% to 71% in just four years, largely thanks to digital services. Merchant payments are a standout sector, growing by more than 40% in 2025. This shows that mobile money is becoming a daily tool for everything from retail to education and transport.
Mobile money has transitioned from a niche product to an essential infrastructure for African commerce.
Cross-border payments will also see significant growth as African companies expand. We are moving toward a reality where digital wallets are the primary interface for all types of economic activity, including B2B and government payments.
The mutual recognition of licenses between Ghana and Rwanda is a major milestone. What does this say about regulatory cooperation in Africa?
It signals a growing realization among regulators that the digital economy does not stop at national borders. Whether it is the Ghana-Rwanda agreement or the harmonized framework within the UEMOA, the trend is toward cooperation to support economic growth. While there won’t be a single model for the whole continent, the desire to build common frameworks is a very positive sign for cross-border investment.
Africa will increasingly rely on mutual recognition and regulatory harmony to facilitate the expansion of cross-border payments.
What is the realistic path toward a truly seamless African payment network?
The foundations are already there. High adoption rates and initiatives like PAPSS and PI-SPI show a shared ambition for connectivity. The next phase requires deeper collaboration between banks, tech providers, and regulators. It is not just about making payments faster; it is about supporting trade on a continental scale.
The goal is to empower businesses to serve customers in multiple countries, benefiting the entire economic ecosystem.
Technology is only part of the puzzle. We also need to address currency management, fraud prevention, and governance to ensure these networks are robust and trusted.
How can infrastructure companies like PawaPay support the growth of a regional hub like Côte d’Ivoire?
Our job is to eliminate friction. Expanding into new African markets usually involves significant technical and regulatory complexity. We simplify this process, allowing fintechs and banks to scale quickly.
We provide the platform that allows innovation to travel across borders with ease.
For Côte d’Ivoire, this means attracting more investment and fostering companies that can compete at a panafrican level. By accelerating the movement of capital and services, we are helping to build a financial future that is both digital and truly continental.
The Editorial Team