Africa’s online gambling poised for growth in five countries with Mastercard-AXIAN digital payments
Mastercard and AXIAN’s digital payment rollout is set to expand access to online betting, streamline transactions and unlock new opportunities across five diverse African gambling markets.
Tanzania.- Two leading payment and fintech companies, Mastercard and the AXIAN Group, are set to reshape Africa’s online gambling landscape by rolling out digital payment solutions across Tanzania, Senegal, Madagascar, the Togolese Republic and the Union of the Comoros. The move will streamline deposits, speed up withdrawals and bring previously untapped markets into the digital fold.
The partnership introduces virtual and physical cards, merchant-acquiring services and mobile-driven payments through AXIAN’s Mixx and MVola platforms. Users can activate cards, track transactions and access international services, boosting access in countries with low banking penetration and high mobile-money usage.
Erwan Gelebart, Chief Executive Officer of AXIAN’s Digibank and Fintech cluster, said in a press release: “At AXIAN, our vision is to be at the centre of Africa’s digital revolution, bringing solutions that empower our customers with relevant and convenient financial services. Simplify lives, expand access to financial services and empowering our customers.”
He underscored AXIAN’s wider strategy to scale its digital finance footprint across Africa. “Through this collaboration with Mastercard, we are giving our customers the tools they need to thrive in today’s interconnected world, whether it is for shopping, for sending money across borders or for managing their business securely from a mobile app,” added Gelebart.
Africa’s digital payments economy is projected to reach $1.5trn by 2030, creating fertile ground for fintech-driven entertainment and online wagering. Wider access to virtual cards and seamless onboarding could accelerate regulated online gambling adoption, although readiness varies across the five countries.
Diverse betting landscapes across Africa
The Mastercard–AXIAN rollout could boost online gambling across these markets. Tanzania is ready for controlled growth, Madagascar, the Togolese Republic and Senegal show potential but need more regulatory support, and the Union of the Comoros represents an emerging market with potential for growth.
Tanzania leads the region. The Gaming Board of Tanzania regulates land-based and online betting, targeting TZS24.89bn ($9.22m) in revenue for 2025/26. Four-year collections reached TZS260.21bn($96m), with online igaming projected at $7.37m.
Madagascar allows land-based casinos under the 1998 Gambling Act but lacks online regulations. Offshore platforms dominate, generating $1,000,00-$250,000 in revenue.
The Togolese Republic’s Loterie Nationale du Togo oversees land-based gambling, while online betting remains unregulated. The market exceeded $30m in 2024, with interactive gaming growing more than 80 per cent year-on-year.
Senegal has a strong land-based sector, including lotteries, casinos and sports betting, generating CFA266bn($440m) in 2022. Online gambling remains lightly regulated, though proposed mobile-money tax measures in 2025 reflect growing links with digital payments.
The Union of the Comoros has minimal gambling oversight, leaving the market largely unregulated. Some offshore operators reference “Anjouan licences”, but their legality is disputed and no reliable revenue figures exist, highlighting both risk and untapped potential.
