GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award: Assisting Providers in Meeting Industry Standards

The GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award is a globally recognized benchmark that represents excellence in the mobile money ecosystem.

Introduced in 2018 by the GSMA—the industry association representing mobile operators worldwide—the certification was developed to set a high bar for mobile money providers by evaluating them against nearly 300 comprehensive criteria.

These standards span across vital areas such as customer protection, anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing controls, operational resilience, cybersecurity protocols, transparency, and data privacy.

The core aim of the GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award is to promote responsible innovation while ensuring consumer trust and regulatory confidence. Providers who achieve this certification demonstrate a commitment to meeting international standards and delivering safe, reliable, and inclusive financial services.

As mobile money becomes a cornerstone for digital and financial inclusion across emerging markets, the certification acts not only as a seal of excellence but also as a catalyst for continuous improvement.

It facilitates trust among users, fosters stronger partnerships with regulators and financial institutions, and reinforces the credibility of certified providers.

Ultimately, the GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award plays a transformative role in professionalizing mobile money services and advancing the global digital finance ecosystem.

Origins and Purpose of the Certification

Initiated in 2018, the GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award was developed to elevate the quality, safety, and reliability of mobile money services—particularly in emerging and high-risk markets where such services are crucial for financial inclusion.

The Certification was quickly adopted by leading mobile money providers including Orange Côte d’Ivoire, Safaricom (M‑PESA), Vodacom Tanzania, and Tigo Tanzania, all of whom became early recipients.

Their participation signaled the establishment of a globally recognized quality benchmark for the mobile money industry.

At its core, the GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award was designed to build consumer trust, promote service interoperability, and establish a consistent framework that providers, partners, and regulators could rely upon.

It assists in the formation of commercial partnerships by offering assurance of compliance with global standards and supports regulators in applying proportionate oversight. The Certification has since become a cornerstone for guiding responsible growth and professionalism in the mobile money ecosystem.

Who Can Participate in this Award?

Eligibility for the GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award is open to all providers that meet GSMA’s definition of mobile money: they must offer phone-based payment services accessible to unbanked populations, supported by a robust agent network extending beyond formal bank infrastructure.
Providers can include:

Mobile network operators
Banks
Over‑the‑top (OTT) or fintech providers

Importantly, simple card-linked mobile payment platforms or traditional mobile banking apps do not qualify under this scheme.

The Certification Principles and Toolkit

GSMA’s Mobile Money Certification Award is based on eight foundational principles:

Finance – protection of customer funds
AML/CFT/Fraud Prevention
People – managing agents, staff, and third parties
Operation – service reliability and continuity
Security – system integrity and resilience
Transparency – clear fees, T\&Cs, and communications
Customer Service – effective complaint resolution
Data Privacy – protection of personal data

The certification process begins with a self-assessment using the GSMA toolkit. Providers must demonstrate compliance with nearly 300 detailed criteria, supported by documentary evidence.

The Certification Process

Step 1: Self-Assessment

Providers first submit a self-evaluation within the online dashboard. They clearly map each criterion to relevant documents and evidence. Accredited consultants may assist in this phase.

Step 2: Official Application

Providers submit the completed toolkit and agree to GSMA’s Certification policies. Once approved, they receive an invoice for fees and can proceed to the assessment stage.

Step 3: Independent Assessment

Certified assessors conduct a detailed evaluation via document review, virtual meetings, interviews, and system testing. Any gaps trigger a reassessment within six months.

Step 4: Certification Issuance

Successful providers receive a three-year certification and permission to use the “GSMA Mobile Money Certified” logo under a licensing agreement.

Why the GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award Matters

1. Building Consumer Trust

Certification assures users that a provider meets the highest standards in security, transparency, and customer protection, empowering them to make informed choices.

2. Strengthening Regulatory Confidence

Governments and regulators view certified providers as partners in financial inclusion and compliance, easing oversight and partnerships.

3. Facilitating Commercial Partnerships

Certification signals institutional maturity, making providers more attractive to merchants, banks, and international partners.

4. Promoting Industry Leadership

Providers certified by GSMA are viewed as industry benchmarks—raising the bar for service quality, operational integrity, and innovation.

Impact & Examples of Certified Providers

1. Safaricom’s M‑PESA (Kenya)

M‑PESA, one of the world’s most iconic mobile money platforms, reaffirmed its industry leadership by receiving renewed GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award recognition in August 2024.

As one of the earliest globally certified providers, M‑PESA’s recertification reflects its ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards in financial services across the mobile platform.

The renewed certification underscored M‑PESA’s excellence in several critical areas: safeguarding customer funds, maintaining transparent operational practices, enforcing robust anti-money laundering (AML) controls, and ensuring high-quality customer care.

These elements are not only core to the GSMA certification criteria but are also foundational pillars of customer trust and system resilience.

In regions where M‑PESA is a financial lifeline, such as Kenya and Tanzania, this recognition further boosts consumer confidence and fortifies commercial credibility among partners, regulators, and investors.

The 2024 recertification serves as a strong signal of M‑PESA’s alignment with international best practices and its role in shaping the future of mobile financial services globally under the GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award framework.

2. Orange Côte d’Ivoire, Vodacom, Tigo Tanzania

These pioneering providers—such as Orange Côte d’Ivoire, Safaricom (M‑PESA), Vodacom Tanzania, and Tigo Tanzania—achieved GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award status in 2018, setting the benchmark for excellence in the industry.

Their early commitment to the certification process not only demonstrated operational maturity and integrity but also positioned them as global leaders in secure, inclusive financial service delivery.

Collectively, the services certified under the GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award represent over 114 million active mobile money accounts worldwide. This massive footprint highlights the transformative impact of certified mobile money platforms in accelerating access to finance, especially in underbanked regions across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

By adhering to nearly 300 stringent criteria covering customer protection, cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and transparency, these certified providers have built stronger bridges between digital finance and underserved populations.

Their achievements contribute significantly to advancing global financial inclusion, fostering regulatory trust, and establishing mobile money as a safe and scalable solution for economic empowerment.

Benefits of the Certification

Benefit	Description
Consumer Trust	Signals adherence to best practices in safety and transparency
Regulatory Confidence	Demonstrates readiness for partnerships with regulators
Commercial Appeal	Meets the bar for global interoperability and integration
Benchmarking	Sets performance standards for mobile money operations
Financial Inclusion	Raises trust, helping to onboard unbanked populations

Challenges Towards Continuous Improvement

The GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award process is intentionally rigorous, designed to uphold the highest operational and regulatory standards in mobile financial services.

Providers seeking certification must comply with nearly 300 criteria that span critical domains such as customer protection, AML/CFT measures, operational resilience, data privacy, and transparency. This level of scrutiny ensures that only the most compliant and trustworthy services receive the award.

Given the depth of the assessment, achieving certification can be time- and resource-intensive. Many providers—especially those operating in developing markets—often require external consultancy or technical support to identify gaps and align their operations with the required standards.

This challenge, however, also presents an opportunity for providers to strengthen their internal systems and governance frameworks.

Moreover, the certification is not a one-time accomplishment. Re-certification is mandatory every three years, compelling providers to maintain and improve their standards over time.

This continuous evaluation process ensures that certified providers remain at the forefront of the industry, adapting to emerging threats, technological changes, and evolving regulatory expectations. It reinforces the GSMA’s commitment to long-term consumer trust, industry sustainability, and global financial inclusion.

Broader Ecosystem Influence of the Award

1. Financial Inclusion

The GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award plays a pivotal role in advancing financial inclusion, particularly in underserved and low-income populations. When providers earn certification, they demonstrate adherence to globally recognized standards of consumer protection, transparency, and security—factors that significantly influence user trust. In regions where skepticism or limited exposure to formal financial systems exists, such certification provides reassurance to first-time users that their funds are safe and that the service operates with integrity.

2. RegTech Alignment

The GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award serves as a powerful Regulatory Technology (RegTech) tool by providing a robust operational benchmark aligned with global regulatory frameworks. For regulators—particularly in emerging markets where mobile money has outpaced formal regulation—GSMA’s standards offer a ready-made reference point for oversight and compliance.

3. Industry Integration

Earning the GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award significantly boosts a provider’s standing in the wider financial services industry. Certified providers become more attractive partners for banks, fintechs, MNOs, and platform companies seeking reliable integration points for products and services. The certification assures potential partners that the provider meets high operational standards, including interoperability readiness, customer data protection, and transaction integrity.

Future Outlook for the Certification Award

As mobile money adoption grows across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award will play an increasingly vital role in elevating service quality and public confidence.

Future enhancements may include:

Stronger emphasis on cybersecurity maturity
Integration with open banking and digital identity frameworks
Better visibility of certified providers via GSMA directories
Expanded endorsement from fintech regulators and development agencies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award?

The GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award is a globally recognized accreditation introduced in 2018 by the GSMA to promote high standards in the mobile money industry. It evaluates providers against nearly 300 performance and operational criteria across areas such as consumer protection, anti-money laundering (AML), cybersecurity, transparency, and service reliability. The certification helps build user trust, encourages regulatory confidence, and strengthens financial inclusion.

Who can apply for the GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award?

Mobile money providers operating under telecom companies, banks, fintechs, or independent digital finance platforms are eligible to apply. Applicants must have an operational mobile money service and be able to provide documented evidence supporting their adherence to the certification standards. Both local and international providers can pursue certification, especially those committed to regulatory compliance and financial inclusion.

How is the certification process conducted?

The process involves comprehensive assessments by independent auditors licensed by the GSMA. Providers must undergo rigorous documentation reviews, interviews, and system audits to confirm compliance with all criteria. The certification evaluates both operational procedures and customer-facing practices, and re-certification is required every three years to ensure ongoing compliance and improvement.

What are the benefits of earning the GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award

Certified providers enjoy multiple benefits, including:

Increased consumer trust due to demonstrated operational integrity
Stronger regulatory relationships through adherence to global standards
Greater appeal to partners and investors seeking secure and reliable platforms
Enhanced reputation and credibility in the mobile money ecosystem
Boosted adoption and usage, especially among financially excluded populations

How many providers have received the certification so far?

Since its launch, over a dozen major mobile money providers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America have received the certification. This includes M‑PESA (Safaricom), Orange Côte d’Ivoire, Vodacom Tanzania, and others. Collectively, these certified services represent more than 114 million registered accounts, playing a major role in advancing global financial inclusion.

12. Conclusion

The GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award is more than a seal of approval—it is a driving force behind trust, transparency, and quality in the mobile money sector.

By helping providers align with global best practices—across governance, AML, security, and client experience—the Certification plays a critical role in advancing financial inclusion globally.

Operators that hold this honor, like M‑PESA and Orange Côte d’Ivoire, lead by example. The Award also represents an aspirational benchmark for emerging providers to build robust, resilient, and customer-centric services.

As the mobile money ecosystem matures, the GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award will remain a key pillar in promoting trusted, inclusive, and compliant digital finance worldwide.

GSMA Mobile Money Certification Award: Assisting Providers in Meeting Industry Standards

Origins and Purpose of the Certification

Who Can Participate in this Award?

The Certification Principles and Toolkit