Ten African fintech companies have been recognised among the world’s top 300 fintechs in 2025, according to a new ranking by CNBC and Statista.

The list celebrates global innovation across seven fintech segments, including payments, wealth tech, and alternative financing, during a period marked by cautious investor sentiment and a slowdown in global funding.

Nigeria led Africa’s showing with five companies on the list: Interswitch, Moniepoint, OPay, PalmPay, and PiggyVest. Other African companies recognised include Kenya’s M-KOPA and Tala, Egypt’s Paymob and MyFawry, and South Africa’s Yoco.

In the payments category, Nigeria’s OPay and PalmPay were acknowledged for their expansive mobile payment solutions, alongside Interswitch and Moniepoint, both of which are noted for their extensive payment infrastructures and business services. Egypt’s Paymob and South Africa’s Yoco were also named in this segment.

PiggyVest was the only African fintech recognised in the wealth tech category. It has paid out over ₦2 trillion to more than seven million users since launching in 2016. CEO Somto Ifezue said the repeat recognition validates the company’s commitment to user-focused innovation.

In the alternative financing category, Kenya’s M-KOPA and Tala stood out. M-KOPA offers pay-as-you-go financing for smartphones and assets, while Tala leverages smartphone data to offer microloans to underserved users across Kenya and beyond.

Statista reviewed over 2,000 companies globally, using metrics such as revenue, user base growth, and employee count. While the list is unranked, CNBC noted that inclusion reflects a company’s impact on global fintech innovation.

The recognition highlights Africa’s growing influence in digital finance, particularly in mobile-driven solutions, as the continent continues to bridge financial access gaps through technology.