# Niger — payment codes and schemes

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

## Summary

- **Orange Money** QR payments active
- **GIM-UEMOA** regional integration
- **9% mobile money** (low adoption)
- **WAEMU zone** CFA franc member
- **Mastercard partnership** 2024

## 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 Niger | Pan-African | Ecobank Mobile |
| 2 | Bank of Africa Niger | Regional | BOA Mobile |
| 3 | Banque Atlantique | Regional | Atlantic App |
| 4 | Sonibank | Local | Sonibank Mobile |
| 5 | BIA Niger | Local | BIA App |

### Market Structure
- **Orange Money:** Mobile money leader
- **GIM-UEMOA:** 150+ institutions
- **9%:** Mobile money usage (low)
- **WAEMU:** Regional integration

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| Orange Money | Orange Niger | Mobile money | Active |
| GIM-UEMOA | Regional | Interbank switch | Active |
| Airtel Money | Airtel | Mobile money | Active |
| Bank Cards | Various | GIM cards | Active |

### GIM-UEMOA in Niger
- Links 150+ financial institutions
- 8 WAEMU member nations
- Banks, microfinance, EMIs
- Central switch for Niger

### Low Mobile Money Adoption
- Only 9% usage in Niger
- One of lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Growth potential significant
- Financial inclusion challenge

---

## QR code standards

### Orange Money QR

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Provider** | Orange Niger |
| **App** | Orange Money Africa |
| **Feature** | Merchant QR/Number |
| **Status** | Active |

### Orange Money QR Features
- Merchant payments via QR
- Merchant number alternative
- No cash needed
- Instant transactions
- Cross-border (WAEMU)

### Mastercard Partnership (2024)
- Virtual card issuance
- Physical card optional
- Global merchant access
- Orange Money wallet linked
- Rollout 2025

### GIM-UEMOA Technical
- Central switch
- Banks, microfinance linked
- Payment service providers
- Digital payment framework

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | QR | Features |
|-----|----------|-------|----------|
| Orange Money Africa | Orange | Yes | Multi-country |
| Airtel Money | Airtel | Limited | Mobile money |
| Bank Apps | Various | Limited | GIM cards |

### Orange Money Features
- Send/receive money
- Merchant QR payments
- Bill payments
- Airtime purchase
- Cross-border transfers
- WAEMU connectivity

### Regional Integration
- 8 WAEMU countries connected
- CFA franc unified
- Cross-border payments
- Regional commerce

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Orange Money QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/NE/orange-money-qr) | Mobile QR | App | Active | [`orange-money-qr`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/orange-money-qr) |
| [GIM-UEMOA](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/NE/gim-uemoa) | Interbank | Switch | 150+ | — |
| [Mastercard](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/NE/mastercard) | Virtual | Card | 2024 | — |

## Sources

- [TransFi - Niger Payment Rails](https://www.transfi.com/blog/nigers-payment-rails-how-they-work---gim-uemoa-mobile-money-cross-border-payment-links)
- [Google Play - Orange Money Africa](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.orange.orangemoneyafrique)
- [GIM-UEMOA Official](https://www.gim-uemoa.org/en/accueil)
- [Mastercard - Orange Partnership](https://www.mastercard.com/news/eemea/en/newsroom/press-releases/en/2024/october/orange-middle-east-and-africa-and-mastercard-partner-to-digitize-payments-for-millions-across-africa-by-2025/)
- [Wikipedia - Orange Money](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Money)
- [Nuvei - Orange Money](https://www.nuvei.com/apm/orange-money)
- [Wise - Orange Money Guide](https://wise.com/us/blog/orange-money-international-transfer)
- [dzcard - GIM Certification](https://www.dzcard.com/blog/dzcard-receives-gim-certification-from-gim-uemoa-to-boost-electronic-payment-in-west-africa)

## Full country report

[NE-niger.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/NE)