African firms slow to digitalise beyond mobile, digital payments – IFC

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank has reported that African firms are slow to digitalise beyond mobile and digital payments.

While 86% of firms use mobile phones and 61% have adopted digital payments, only 7% use digital payments intensively. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of firms with advanced digital payment systems haven't adopted other digital technologies.

In Ghana, Kenya, and Senegal, 57% of firms use computers and the internet, compared to 44% in low-income countries like Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Malawi.

Larger firms in middle-income countries tend to digitalise more, while low-income regions lag due to fewer digital enablers and prevalent micro- and informal businesses.