Key Moments:
- COMESA launched its Digital Retail Payments Platform on October 9, 2025, aiming to streamline cross-border payments in local currencies.
- Kenya has played a leading role in the platform’s rollout, with government leaders highlighting its potential for enhanced financial integration.
- The platform is positioned to widen access to online betting, especially among unbanked communities across Africa.
COMESA’s Payment Innovation Targets Seamless Transactions
The inauguration of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa’s (COMESA) Digital Retail Payments Platform marks a significant advancement for the continent’s online betting sector. COMESA, a 21-member regional economic bloc, focuses on the facilitation of trade, financial integration, and cross-border transactions throughout Eastern and Southern Africa.
With the capacity to handle cross-border payments in local currencies, the platform represents a pivotal step forward. Officially introduced on October 9, 2025, COMESA aims to provide notable benefits to online betting companies operating within the region.
Africa is quietly building the rails for a post-dollar era.
COMESA just launched the Digital Retail Payments Platform , a system that lets traders settle cross-border deals in local currencies, not USD.
It’s starting small between Malawi and Zambia — but the intent is loud:
cut… pic.twitter.com/SXIHoMbtTe— Adugbo Victory (@adugbovictory) October 13, 2025
Kenya’s Leadership in Regional Integration
Kenya, a key member of COMESA, has played an instrumental role in advancing the payment platform. Government officials have underscored the nation’s commitment to deepening regional trade and financial ties. Kenya Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui called the platform a “game-changer.” In his own words, “For the first time, cross-border trade within COMESA can be settled directly in local currencies. This reduces costs, shields businesses from currency volatility, and opens the door for MSMEs, women, and youth to participate more fully in regional trade.”
For operators specializing in online betting, the platform offers distinct advantages such as expedited deposits, prompt withdrawals, and minimized transaction fees. Multiple markets become more accessible, making customer acquisition and retention across borders more straightforward.
Backing Regional Cooperation and Security
President William Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the broader vision of integrated financial networks within COMESA. He stated, “One of the most viable pathways for Africa, and for regional economic blocs like COMESA, is to strengthen our home-grown multilateral financial institutions.”
These statements point toward the potential for harmonized regulatory practices among member states, enhanced transparency, and more secure digital environments for both operators and end users in the gambling sector.
Focusing on Financial Inclusion
The new system brings financial inclusion into sharper focus. By providing greater access to digital financial platforms, more individuals across Africa can participate in online betting, casino games, and lotteries. Companies leveraging the COMESA payment network are poised for growth in customer engagement and transaction volumes, especially among unbanked and underbanked populations.
| Potential Benefits for Operators | Effect on Players |
|---|---|
| Lower transaction costs | Easy cross-border payments |
| Broader regional reach | Access using local currencies |
| Faster deposit and withdrawal processing | Reduced fees and greater inclusion |
Strategic Implications for the Gambling Industry
While the initiative is designed primarily to enhance regional commerce, its impact is expected to be substantial in the context of digital betting. According to CS Kinyanjui, “This is more than a payment system. It’s a foundation for inclusive growth, a bridge for small traders, and a catalyst for regional prosperity.” The ongoing improvements—reduced transaction barriers, smoother currency conversions, and increased confidence in using local currencies—promise to bring about a more robust digital betting landscape.
For businesses active in Africa’s online gaming industry, integrating this payment infrastructure early could yield a significant competitive edge. COMESA’s new platform builds a path toward a more unified, secure, and accessible online gambling environment, driven by intergovernmental collaboration and technological innovation.
- Author
Daniel Williams
