Ericsson and MTN Group Fintech have advanced a major fintech modernisation programme across Africa. The companies completed the MoMo Evolved Migration in Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda.
The project moves MTN MoMo away from older virtualised systems. It now runs on a standardised, cloud-native architecture using the Ericsson Fintech Platform.
This shift matters for mobile money at scale. African fintech platforms must handle rapid growth, high transaction volumes and demanding availability needs. A cloud-native model can support those demands with greater flexibility.
As a result, the companies are already expanding the work. A similar initiative has started in Cameroon. Talks also continue for Benin, Republic of the Congo and Zambia.
Selected MTN operating companies may also move parts of the platform to public cloud. That step could increase agility and reduce infrastructure pressure. It may also help teams launch new services faster.
However, public cloud adoption needs careful planning. Operators must manage data residency, service reliability and regulatory requirements. They also need strong controls around security and service continuity.
The platform upgrade should improve performance for users and partners. It can also simplify daily operations for MTN’s technology teams. Faster API performance should help developers and merchants connect services more easily.
For merchants, this can mean smoother integrations and quicker launches. For consumers, it may support more reliable digital payments. For partners, it creates a clearer path into MTN’s financial ecosystem.
The migration also aligns with MTN Group’s Ambition 2030 strategy. That plan focuses on digital growth, platform services and broader financial inclusion. Mobile money remains central to that direction across many African markets.
Hossam Kandeel, Head of Mobile Money and Business Development at Ericsson West and Southern Africa, said: “Modernising mobile financial services infrastructure is essential to supporting the continued growth of digital financial ecosystems.
“Through the Ericsson Fintech Platform, we have helped MTN Group Fintech establish a cloud native foundation that improves operational efficiency, strengthens platform performance and enables the scalability needed to support future innovation and financial inclusion.”
Artemij Demidczyk, Acting Chief Technology and Information Officer at MTN Group Fintech, added: “The MoMo Evolved Migration advances our vision of building Africa’s leading digital financial platform.
“Through a cloud-native foundation, we are enhancing performance, strengthening resilience, and accelerating the delivery of innovative digital financial services for consumers, merchants, and partners across our markets.”
The broader impact could reach far beyond platform engineering. Stronger mobile money infrastructure can support savings, payments, lending and merchant services. It can also help underserved communities access digital finance.
Still, execution will define the outcome. MTN and Ericsson must maintain uptime during further migrations. They must also ensure local teams can operate the new environment confidently.
For telecom and fintech watchers, this programme signals a wider industry trend. Mobile operators now treat financial platforms like core digital infrastructure. In Africa, that shift could reshape both telecoms and everyday commerce.
