# Benin — payment codes and schemes

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/BJ
> extracted at 2026-10-03
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

## Summary

- **MTN MoMo** dominant mobile money (70% market)
- **MoMoPay QR** merchant payment system
- **Mastercard partnership** 2024 expansion
- **GIM-UEMOA** regional interbank network
- **60M+ active** MoMo wallets (13 African markets)

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** BCEAO (Central Bank of West African States)
- **Website:** https://www.bceao.int/
- **Role:** Regional monetary policy (WAEMU zone)

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|------|-----------|------|------------------|
| 1 | Ecobank Benin | Pan-African | Ecobank Mobile |
| 2 | Bank of Africa Benin | Pan-African | BOA Mobile |
| 3 | Société Générale Benin | International | SG Mobile |
| 4 | NSIA Banque | Regional | NSIA App |
| 5 | Orabank Benin | Regional | Orabank App |

### Market Structure
- **MTN MoMo:** 70% mobile money market
- **GIM-UEMOA:** Regional card network
- **WAEMU zone:** Shared CFA franc
- **Mobile money:** Primary payment channel

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| MTN MoMo | MTN Benin | Mobile money | Dominant |
| GIM-UEMOA | BCEAO | Card network | Active |
| Bank Transfers | Banks | RTGS | Active |

### MTN MoMo Statistics
- **70%** market share in Benin
- **60M+** active monthly wallets (13 markets)
- **290M** MTN subscribers overall
- **2024** Mastercard partnership

### Mobile Money Dominance
- Primary payment method
- Rural penetration
- Financial inclusion driver
- Agent network extensive

---

## QR code standards

### MoMoPay QR

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Operator** | MTN Benin |
| **Type** | Merchant QR |
| **App** | My MTN / MoMo |
| **Feature** | Scan to pay |

### MoMoPay Payment Methods
1. **Code Marchand:** Dial *880#, select MoMoPay, enter code
2. **QR Code:** Scan via My MTN app

### QR Payment Flow
1. Download My MTN app
2. Click "Mobile Money"
3. Enter 5-digit PIN
4. Choose "QR Paiement"
5. Select "QR Scanner"
6. Scan merchant QR

### Merchant QR Features
- Static QR codes for merchants
- Dynamic amount entry
- Instant settlement
- SMS confirmation

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | QR | Features |
|-----|----------|-------|----------|
| MoMo App | MTN | Yes | Full wallet |
| My MTN | MTN | Yes | Multi-service |
| Bank Apps | Various | Limited | Banking |

### MoMo App Features
- Pay bills instantly
- Deposit and cash out
- Scan and pay with QR
- Virtual card activation
- Loans and advances
- Online shopping

### Mastercard Partnership (2024)
- Multi-market agreement
- SME-in-a-Box solutions
- QR enablement
- Tap on Phone
- Virtual/physical cards for wallets

### 13 African Markets
- Benin included
- Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon
- Uganda, Zambia
- Cross-border potential

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [MoMoPay QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/BJ/momopay-qr) | Mobile QR | MTN | 70% market | [`momopay-qr`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/momopay-qr) |
| [GIM-UEMOA](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/BJ/gim-uemoa) | Card | Regional | Active | — |
| [Mastercard](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/BJ/mastercard) | Partnership | Global | 2024 | — |

## Sources

- [MTN Benin - MoMoPay](https://www.mtn.bj/momo/particuliers/momopay/)
- [MTN MoMo - QR Code](https://momo.mtn.com/qr-code/)
- [MTN MoMo - Business QR](https://momo.mtn.com/business/qrcode/)
- [Mastercard - MTN Partnership](https://www.mastercard.com/news/eemea/en/newsroom/press-releases/en/2024/february/mastercard-and-mtn-group-fintech-partner-to-drive-acceleration-of-mobile-money-ecosystem-in-africa-across-13-markets/)
- [MoMo App - Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mtnft.momo.consumer)
- [MoMo App - App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/momo-app/id6532622230)
- [Paymentwall - Mobile Money Benin](https://docs.paymentwall.com/payment-method/momobenin)
- [MTN MoMo Official](https://momo.mtn.com/)

## Full country report

[BJ-benin.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/BJ)