Accepting Mobile Money payments in your business: a practical guide
MTN MoMo, Orange Money, Airtel Money — how to set up digital payments and stop chasing cash.
Cash is still king in many African markets, but Mobile Money is rapidly changing the game. In Cameroon alone, MTN MoMo processes over 3 billion transactions per year. If you're not accepting mobile payments, you're leaving money on the table.
The setup is straightforward. You need a merchant account with your Mobile Money provider (MTN MoMo, Orange Money, or Airtel Money). This is different from your personal account — it lets you receive payments with a merchant code and gives you access to transaction reports.
Once you have a merchant account, the key is connecting it to your invoicing system. With SawaSuite, when you send an invoice via WhatsApp, the customer receives a payment link. They tap it, confirm with their Mobile Money PIN, and the payment is recorded automatically in your books. No manual entry needed.
Pricing matters. Most Mobile Money providers charge 1-2% per transaction for merchant payments. That's significantly less than the cost of chasing cash payments — consider the time spent following up, the fuel for delivery trips, and the risk of 'I'll pay you next week' turning into 'I'll pay you next month.'
Pro tip: offer a small discount (2-3%) for customers who pay via Mobile Money within 48 hours of receiving an invoice. You'll be surprised how quickly your collection rate improves.