As dusk settles over Abidjan’s bustling Angré Château district, the usual rush for groceries and transport grinds to a halt at a mobile money kiosk. Rosette, a frustrated customer, arrives to withdraw 10,000 CFA francs (€15) only to find the agent out of cash. «We come here expecting service, but sometimes the money just isn’t there. We make do with what we can.»

Inside the yellow booth, agent Nema apologizes to waiting clients: «There are days when withdrawals surge, and we run low on cash. We switch to deposit mode and ask customers to return later or go elsewhere.» Many do just that, walking away to find alternative kiosks. Affoué, the kiosk manager, explains the cost of such disruptions: «Every lost customer means lost commissions. Keeping clients happy is key to boosting our earnings and staying profitable.»

losing clients and profits

Mobile money operators like Orange, Moov, MTN, and Wave pay agents commissions for transactions. For example, agents earn 20 to 60 CFA francs (€0.03 to €0.09) per 10,000 CFA francs (€15) transaction. Higher transaction volumes and values directly translate to increased revenue. However, cash shortages force agents to temporarily close their kiosks to restock, driving customers to competitors. «When we can’t serve customers, we lose commissions and profitability. Some agents even shut down entirely to fetch cash from banks or operators.»

motorcycle couriers to the rescue

Gertrude Yapi, Operations Director at Leya, a local Abidjan startup, has pioneered a solution: motorcycle cash couriers. «We restock agents with cash in under 30 minutes, ensuring they never miss a transaction. This boosts their turnover by up to 50%.» Leya now serves over 3,000 active kiosks in four cities: Abidjan, Bondoukou, Bouaké, and Korhogo.

Ivorian economist Kassoum Timité stresses the broader economic impact: «Mobile money is vital for Côte d’Ivoire’s informal sector, which accounts for up to 40% of GDP. Cash shortages slow transactions and weaken economic activity.»

In 2024, daily mobile money transactions in Côte d’Ivoire reached over 140 billion CFA francs (€210 million), nearly quadrupling since 2020.