2017全球移动支付行业现状报告（英文版）_31页_5mb

2017 State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money Summary

Core Content

The 2017 State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money highlights the rapid growth and increasing importance of mobile money in the global financial ecosystem, particularly in developing markets. It outlines key trends, challenges, and opportunities for the industry, emphasizing the role of mobile money in financial inclusion, economic growth, and humanitarian aid.

Main Trends and Key Points

Industry Growth

• The mobile money industry processed over $1 billion per day in 2017, with $2.4 billion in direct revenues.
• The global number of registered mobile money accounts reached 690 million, a 25% increase from 2016.
• 276 deployments were live in 90 countries, with South Asia becoming the fastest-growing region, recording 47% year-on-year growth in accounts.
• Sub-Saharan Africa remains the epicenter of mobile money, but growth is now also spreading to other regions.

Customer Activity Rates

• The average industry activity rate grew to 36% in December 2017.
• 20% of providers achieved activity rates above 50%, and some reached over 60%.
• Activity rates of 70% or more are associated with stronger distribution networks, enabling regulation, and account-based business models.
• Providers with higher activity rates typically have higher ARPU (Average Revenue Per User).

Digital Transformation

• The use of smartphone apps increased from 56% in 2015 to 73% by June 2017.
• Feature phones and USSD remain the primary tools for many users, especially in rural and low-income areas.
• Digital transactions now account for 25% of all incoming funds, up from 12% in 2012.

Economic Impact

• Mobile money contributes to 13 of the 17 SDGs, including access to essential services, poverty reduction, and gender equality.
• It enables women and rural populations to participate more in the economy, especially through P2P transfers, bill payments, and airtime top-ups.
• 22% of providers offer savings, pensions, or investment products, with 39% planning to expand these offerings in the next year.

Humanitarian Applications

• Mobile money is used for digital humanitarian cash transfers, offering a cheaper, faster, and more secure alternative to cash.
• In Uganda’s Bidi Bidi refugee camp, mobile money is being used to provide aid, though challenges remain in regulatory compliance, reaching the most vulnerable, and managing agent liquidity.

International Remittances

• Mobile money reduces remittance costs by up to 50% compared to global money transfer operators.
• WorldRemit data shows that mobile money is the preferred method for sending money to rural areas.
• Mobile money helps formalize remittance flows, as many transactions occur through unregulated informal channels.

Key Levers to Scale

The report identifies four key levers that contribute to the success and scalability of mobile money services:

1. Increasing customer activity rates

   • Providers with high activity rates have better financial performance.
   • A strong distribution network is essential, with 1.3 agents per 1,000 adults on average for high-activity providers.

2. Shifting from a cash economy to a digital ecosystem

   • Digital transactions are becoming more prevalent, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
   • Smartphones are growing in adoption, but feature phones and USSD still serve a large portion of users.

3. Decreasing the net cost of the agent network

   • Agent networks are a critical part of the system, but their costs can be significant.
   • Digital fund inflows reduce the need for subsidized cash-in agent commissions, improving profitability.

4. Supportive policy and regulation

   • Enabling regulations are crucial for growth, with 54 markets having such frameworks in 2017.
   • Regulatory sandboxes and data protection are emerging as important policy areas.
   • Government intervention in promoting digital literacy and foundational identities can help increase women’s participation.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Gender gap in mobile money access remains a challenge, with women making up only 36% of registered users.
• Data accuracy is difficult due to cultural norms, shared family accounts, and identity ownership gaps.
• Rural outreach is expanding, with 48% of deployments prioritizing rural penetration.
• Partnerships with banks, NGOs, and fintech firms are critical for scaling services and reaching underserved populations.

Conclusion

The mobile money industry is evolving into a sustainable and profitable sector, driven by technological innovation, policy support, and increased customer engagement. As it becomes more integrated into the digital economy, it is playing an essential role in financial inclusion, economic development, and humanitarian efforts. The future of mobile money depends on leveraging scale, innovation, and inclusive policies to serve a broader range of users, especially in rural and underserved areas.