# Congo — payment codes and schemes

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

## Summary

- **MTN Mobile Money** 60% market share
- **Airtel Money** 40% market share
- **APEP association** formed March 2024
- **5.9 million** mobile subscribers
- **Congo Telecom** new entrant Dec 2024

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** BEAC (Bank of Central African States)
- **Website:** https://www.beac.int/
- **Role:** Regional monetary policy (CEMAC zone)

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|------|-----------|------|------------------|
| 1 | BGFIBANK Congo | Regional | BGFI Mobile |
| 2 | Société Générale Congo | International | SG Mobile |
| 3 | Ecobank Congo | Pan-African | Ecobank Mobile |
| 4 | LCB Bank | Local | LCB App |
| 5 | UBA Congo | Pan-African | UBA App |

### Market Structure
- **MTN:** Market leader (60%)
- **Airtel:** Major competitor (40%)
- **Congo Telecom:** New entrant (Dec 2024)
- **CEMAC zone:** Shared CFA franc

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| MTN Mobile Money | MMC SA | Mobile money | Dominant |
| Airtel Money | MCC SA | Mobile money | Active |
| APEP | Industry | Association | Active (2024) |

### Market Statistics (2023)
- **5.9 million** mobile subscribers
- **99.3%** prepaid subscriptions
- **MTN:** 72.4% of revenues
- **Airtel:** 27.6% of revenues

### APEP Formation (March 2024)
- Professional association
- MMC SA + MCC SA members
- Regulatory compliance
- Financial transaction security

---

## QR code standards

### Mobile Money QR (Limited)

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **MTN MoMo** | QR capable |
| **Airtel Money** | Developing |
| **Standard** | Proprietary |
| **Adoption** | Emerging |

### MTN MoMo Features
- QR code payments
- Scan and pay
- Merchant acceptance
- Virtual card (Mastercard)

### APEP Association Goals
- Transaction speed guarantee
- Secure technical environment
- Legal framework compliance
- Payment system modernization

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | QR | Features |
|-----|----------|-------|----------|
| MTN Mobile Money | MMC SA | Yes | Full wallet |
| Airtel Money | MCC SA | Limited | Mobile money |

### MTN Mobile Money
- Dominant mobile money
- QR code payments
- Bill payments
- P2P transfers
- Merchant payments

### Airtel Money
- Second major operator
- Mobile money services
- Growing network
- Financial inclusion driver

### Xsolla Integration (Dec 2024)
- MTN MoMo for gaming
- Mobile money wallets
- Credit card alternative
- International purchases

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [MTN MoMo](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/CG/mtn-momo) | Mobile money | QR | 60% share | [`mtn-momo`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/mtn-momo) |
| [Airtel Money](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/CG/airtel-money) | Mobile money | App | 40% share | [`airtel-money`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/airtel-money) |
| [APEP](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/CG/apep) | Association | Industry | 2024 | — |

## Sources

- [iPRIS - Mobile Sector Analysis](https://ipris.digital/analysis-of-the-mobile-telephony-sector-in-congo-brazzaville-in-2023-trends-challenges-and-prospects/)
- [Agence Ecofin - Mobile Money Association](https://www.agenceecofin.com/finance/1004-117761-les-societes-de-paiement-mobile-mobile-money-et-airtel-money-vecteurs-dinclusion-financiere-au-congo)
- [Extensia Tech - Financial Inclusion](https://extensia.tech/the-mobile-payment-companies-mobile-money-and-airtel-money-vectors-of-financial-inclusion-in-congo/)
- [News Ghana - Xsolla MTN Extension](https://www.newsghana.com.gh/xsolla-extends-mtn-mobile-money-payment-option-to-congo-brazzaville-and-zambia/)
- [Airtel Congo - Airtel Money](https://www.airtel.cg/services-airtel-money)
- [Developing Telecoms - Congo Telecom](https://developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news/17800-congo-telecom-goes-mobile.html)
- [Traveltomtom - SIM Cards](https://www.traveltomtom.net/destinations/africa/republic-of-congo/sim-card-congo-brazzaville)
- [MboaMoney - Money Transfers](https://mboamoney.com/en/19-mobile-money-242)

## Full country report

[CG-congo-brazzaville.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/CG)