11 African Nations Embrace Cloud Hosting with Mobile Money Payments
AFRICLOUD operates data centers in Lisbon and Johannesburg, providing services like compute, storage, and networking solutions.
Starting April 2026, businesses in eleven African nations can fund cloud services using Mobile Money in local currencies. This addition complements existing payment methods such as international credit cards and cryptocurrencies. The initial rollout includes Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia, with Mozambique and Tanzania to follow.
Previously, entrepreneurs faced challenges in acquiring international cloud services due to payment issues rather than technical barriers. Mobile Money has addressed many of these challenges in domestic commerce, and AFRICLOUD’s initiative allows users to transact locally without needing international cards.
The Extent of Mobile Money in Africa
The GSMA’s State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2024 indicates that Sub-Saharan Africa has processed approximately USD 1.1 trillion through mobile transactions, representing 65% of the global total by value. The number of adults holding Mobile Money accounts has risen to 40%, highlighting its growing adoption.
This service addresses the disconnect between typical payment methods and international cloud billing, allowing users accustomed to Mobile Money for various transactions to access cloud services seamlessly.
Current Rollout Details
In the eleven countries where this service is active, customers can top up their accounts through local Mobile Money systems. Payments can be made using local currencies, and hosting plans are deployed in under two minutes post-confirmation.
- Uganda: Payments in Ugandan Shillings, with latency of about 78 ms from Johannesburg to Kampala.
- Rwanda: Payments in Rwandan Francs, with latency around 71 ms from Johannesburg to Kigali.
- Zambia: Latency of approximately 22 ms from Johannesburg to Lusaka, demonstrating efficient connectivity.
Simplified Payment Experience
Users will no longer need international cards during checkout. All transactions will go through local Mobile Money systems, allowing them to settle payments like domestic transactions.
Broader Payment Options Available
Mobile Money is one of several payment methods at AFRICLOUD checkout. Users outside the participating countries can still use international cards, PayPal, or over 300 cryptocurrencies. About 25% of AFRICLOUD’s transactions are processed through cryptocurrency, indicating a growing digital currency adoption.
Two Data Centers, Global Reach
AFRICLOUD’s infrastructure spans two data centers in Portugal and South Africa, servicing customers worldwide. Latencies under 100 ms are common for East and Southern Africa, while West and North Africa see latencies as low as 42 ms from Europe.
Implications for African Entrepreneurs
With previous payment challenges removed, African entrepreneurs can navigate the cloud landscape more easily. This change enables access to technology for a broader range of users, fostering growth in sectors like fintech, e-commerce, and agribusiness.
Key Takeaways
- AFRICLOUD allows cloud service payments via Mobile Money in eleven African countries.
- This flexible payment option addresses previous challenges faced by entrepreneurs during international transactions.
- Mobile Money plays a significant role in global mobile transactions.
- Users can purchase cloud services without international credit cards.
- AFRICLOUD accepts various payment methods, including credit cards and cryptocurrencies.
- The service supports a wide range of businesses, simplifying access to essential cloud infrastructure.