In partnership with Evina, the advanced cybersecurity for Carrier Billing and mobile money company, we dived into the latest developments in the world of Direct Carrier Billing (DCB), particularly in the Middle East and Africa, in a new 2023 edition of the DCB Index (check out the 2022 edition). This annual analysis provides invaluable insights into the progression and potential of the DCB market in these dynamic regions, evolving as a key player in the mobile payments sector. As a streamlined method that allows users to charge purchases directly to their mobile carrier bill, its adoption is increasingly significant in regions with rising mobile penetration, bringing new countries to the forefront.
Notably, the market has seen an overall increase in its rating, moving from 2.8 to 2.9, as the DCB Index uses a 1 to 5 rating scale, where 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest level of DCB development and potential. The improvement signals the market’s advancements in innovation and opens doors for further development, especially in anti-fraud technology. New countries like Algeria, Botswana and Saudi Arabia have also been included for the first time, providing a more comprehensive overview of the region’s DCB landscape.
Morocco emerges as a leader in this year’s ranking with the highest score, underscoring its robust and reliable DCB market. Its runner-up, South Africa, shows significant adoption of mobile money and potential for DCB growth. The Index also helps to enhance Ivory Coast as the fastest-growing market and draws attention to the increasing market dynamics in Africa. Focusing on the Middle East, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates are making notable progress with positive ratings, as Saudi Arabia comes with an impressive 3.4 rating, demonstrating its relevance and boosting the region’s average score.
