Emerging markets are becoming the world’s primary focus for growth. Characterised by rapid industrialisation, improving infrastructure, and a rising middle class, these regions are not just catching up; they are leapfrogging into the future, particularly in the digital finance space. Candice Whelpton, Managing Director, Capital Partnerships at JUMO, says nowhere is this more evident than in Africa, where fintech is redefining the rules of access to capital, inclusion and investment opportunity.
Over the past two decades, emerging markets have undergone a significant transformation. According to the World Economic Forum, these economies now contribute around 45% of global GDP, up from just 25% in 2000. Beyond economic growth, what makes them especially attractive to investors is their demographic edge: young, mobile-first populations that are increasingly connected to the digital world.
This digital momentum is most visible in how these regions are embracing financial technology. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the world’s most active mobile money region, with East Africa driving the highest growth in monthly active users in 2024, followed closely by Southeast Asia and West Africa. Meanwhile, countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines are accelerating fintech adoption, supported by enabling regulatory environments and increased mobile penetration. In many of these markets, mobile money activity is growing faster than account registrations, a signal that users aren’t just signing up, they’re transacting frequently and participating meaningfully in their economies.
For investors, this intersection of digital readiness, population growth, and unmet financial needs presents a rare window to back solutions with both transformative impact and strong return potential.
Africa’s fintech boom: a global opportunity
Among these high-growth regions, Africa stands out as a global epicentre for fintech innovation. The continent is home to 60% of the world’s mobile money users, yet over half of its adults remain unbanked, limiting their ability to save, borrow, or access and build credit. Agile, tech-driven companies are stepping in to close this gap, utilising mobile platforms, AI, and inclusive design to make financial services more accessible, thereby advancing financial inclusion for those historically excluded from the formal system.
JUMO’s ability to deliver real impact at scale
JUMO combines advanced data science, proprietary AI, and embedded finance partnerships to connect capital to customers at scale. We’ve disbursed over $8 billion to more than 30 million people in nine African markets.
Our infrastructure and partnerships enable banks and capital providers to serve high-potential, underserved segments ranging from individual mobile wallet users to small businesses, without the high costs and risk levels associated with traditional models.
At the heart of our platform is an AI prediction engine built on over 15,000 predictive features and hundreds of machine learning models. By analysing alternative data such as mobile wallet activity, transaction flows, and behavioural patterns, we can assess creditworthiness in real time for customers with no formal credit history.
This allows for dynamic, personalised lending. Loan amounts, pricing, and repayment terms adapt to each customer’s capacity, improving product fit and driving strong repayment performance. Our AI achieves 99% prediction accuracy on the outcomes of the assets we manage, resulting in repayment rates above 90% in mobile credit markets.
For investors, this means capital efficiency, reduced defaults, and the ability to scale into markets that have historically been high-friction.
Why partners choose JUMO
Our platform allows banks, mobile money operators, and capital providers to reach new customer bases profitably. By integrating with existing mobile ecosystems, we remove costly infrastructure requirements and deliver a fast route to scale. The result: lower distribution costs, improved portfolio performance, and the ability to deploy capital into large, untapped markets with confidence.
Investing in emerging markets entails unique risks, including currency volatility and shifting regulations. JUMO mitigates these through rigorous governance, local compliance alignment, and strong in-market partnerships.
Our embedded model, supported by local hiring and infrastructure, ensures we stay close to customers and regulators, reducing operational risk while building long-term market resilience.
Beyond financial returns: unlocking economic participation
While the investor case for African fintech is strong on returns, the broader market impact is equally important. Access to credit and savings tools enables people to manage risk, seize opportunities, and build businesses. This strengthens supply chains, supports job creation, and creates economic resilience across communities.
What investors should look for in high-growth fintechs
- Scalability: Efficient cross-market expansion potential
- Partnership depth: Strong integration with telcos, banks, and regulators
- Technology maturity: Proven, data-driven decision systems with a track record
- Impact alignment: Improving customer lives while delivering strong financial performance
Looking ahead
As digital infrastructure deepens and regulatory environments evolve, the next decade will see rapid advances in embedded finance, cross-border payments, AI-driven credit scoring, and climate-adaptive financial products. These trends are laying the foundation for a more inclusive global economy, and emerging markets are at the centre of it.
Investors who understand the unique dynamics of emerging markets and partner with platforms like JUMO will be positioned to capture both the growth and the resilience that define the continent’s fintech opportunity.
To learn how to invest with us and be part of the next chapter in inclusive finance, get in touch.
