Mobile B2X: The Next Wave of Mobile Payments in Developing Markets
2009/12/07
In my coverage of the mobile payments space, I am continually amazed at how quickly the developing world is taking this technology and running with it. The "oldest" mobile payments systems in developing world countries have only been in place for about 2.5 ~ 3 years, and are experiencing phenonmenal growth. GSMA expects 120 new mobile payment program implementations in 2009, and Safaricom in Africa is now at the point where roughly half of its subscribers use its M-PESA mobile payments service. A new example of mobile payment innovation in these markets is what I call "Mobile B2X" -- companies' and other organizations' use of the mobile channel to pay other companies or individuals. What I am uncovering is that there are three main use cases for Mobile B2X services:
- Payments made by retailers to wholesalers for receipt of consumer goods
- Salary, commission and pension disbursements made by companies (and govts) to individuals
- Social benefit distributions from companies (and governments) to individuals