Mobile money adoption continues to accelerate globally, with registered accounts surpassing 2.3 billion in 2025. Yet, beneath this impressive growth lies a widening gender gap that threatens to undermine the broader promise of financial inclusion.
According to analysis by GSMA “The State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2026″, women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) were 36% less likely than men to own a mobile money account in 2024, an increase from 30% in 2021.
This growing disparity is largely driven by the faster rate at which men are adopting mobile money services compared to women.
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Structural Barriers Limiting Women’s Adoption
The gap is not incidental but rooted in a range of interrelated barriers that disproportionately affect women. These include limited awareness of mobile money services, lower perceived relevance, gaps in digital literacy and skills, and restrictive social norms. In many markets, mobile phone ownership among women still lags behind that of men, further compounding the challenge.
Despite these constraints, the benefits of mobile money for women are substantial. Access to such services enhances financial security, enables better household and business management, and builds resilience against economic and environmental shocks.
It also facilitates access to social transfers, strengthens economic identity, and improves adaptability to climate-related risks. Consequently, the persistent gender gap represents not only a social challenge but also a missed commercial opportunity for service providers.
Drawing on data from GSMA’s annual face-to-face consumer survey across ten countries in Africa and Asia—including Nigeria, Kenya, India, and Pakistan- the findings reveal a complex picture across the mobile money user journey from mobile ownership and awareness to account usage.
Mobile phone ownership, the first critical step, shows encouraging progress. In countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, ownership levels between men and women are nearly equal. However, significant gaps persist in markets like Ethiopia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India, where a notable proportion of women still lack access to mobile devices.
Awareness of mobile money services has improved in several countries, including Nigeria and Bangladesh, with women showing faster growth rates than men in some cases. Still, awareness gaps remain in most markets, particularly in India and Ethiopia. Even where awareness is high, it does not always translate into account ownership.
A considerable gender gap in mobile money account ownership persists in seven out of the ten surveyed countries. Pakistan records the highest disparity at 63%, while Ethiopia follows with a 56% gap. Encouragingly, Nigeria has seen notable improvement, with the gender gap narrowing significantly to 25% in 2025, and nearly half of women now owning accounts.
However, ownership alone does not equate to active usage. Across most countries, women are less likely than men to use their accounts regularly or engage in diverse transactions. This trend is evident even in more mature markets like Ghana and Kenya, where usage gaps are emerging despite parity in ownership.
Barriers to Deeper Engagement
Among individuals already aware of mobile money, the most commonly cited barriers to account ownership include a perceived lack of relevance, often driven by a preference for cash and insufficient knowledge or skills. These challenges are more pronounced among women, particularly in areas related to digital literacy and handset usage.
Cultural and social factors also play a role. In countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, family disapproval significantly impacts women’s ability to adopt mobile money. Additionally, issues such as literacy gaps and limited access to SIM cards or mobile devices further hinder progress.
Outlook
Addressing the gender gap in mobile money requires targeted interventions across every stage of the user journey. Expanding mobile ownership among women, increasing awareness through tailored outreach, and improving digital literacy are critical steps. Equally important is addressing deep-rooted social norms that limit women’s financial participation.
For policymakers, financial service providers, and development organizations, the path forward lies in designing inclusive solutions that recognize and respond to the unique challenges faced by women. Closing this gap is not only essential for advancing gender equality but also for unlocking significant economic value.
As mobile money continues to reshape financial ecosystems across emerging markets, ensuring that women are not left behind will be key to achieving truly inclusive digital economies.