Opera, the global web innovator, announced today that its mobile payment platform, Opera MiniPay, has surpassed 1 million users across Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana.
This significant milestone, achieved within five months of launch, underscore s the rapidly growing demand for accessible and secure financial services in Africa.
Opera MiniPay, built in collaboration with Celo and Mento Labs, is a self-custodial dollar stablecoin wallet seamlessly integrated into the popular Opera Mini browser for Android users.
The platform allows you to easily send, receive, and store funds using Celo's fast and affordable blockchain technology. It's also offering you features like sub-cent fees through the Celo network.
Currently MiniPay is live in Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana, MiniPay with plans to expand to South Africa and other African countries.
"Reaching 1 million users in just five months is a testament to the stong need for user-friendly and inclusive financial solutions in Africa," said SVP and Head of Mobile Browsers at Opera. "Opera MiniPay empowers individuals with secure and affordable tools to manage their finances, participate in the digital economy, and ultimately improve their lives."
The rapid adoption of Opera MiniPay reflects the growing trend of mobile money adoption in Africa. According to GSMA, the number of registered mobile money accounts in sub-Saharan Africa surpassed 548 million in 2022, and is expected to reach 743 million by 2025.
"We are thrilled to see such a positive response to Opera MiniPay," said Rene Reinsberg, Co-founder and CEO of Celo. "This milestone demonstrates the power of blockchain technology to empower individuals and accelerate financial inclusion in Africa."
Opera MiniPay's success can be attributed to several factors, including its:
- Seamless integration: The platform is conveniently embedded within the trusted Opera Mini browser, removing the need for additional downloads or installations.
- User-friendly interface: The intuitive design makes it easy for even first-time users to navigate and manage their finances.
- Low transaction fees: The platform leverages Celo's blockchain technology to offer competitive transaction fees, making it affordable for everyday use.
- Focus on financial inclusion: Opera MiniPay specifically targets unbanked and underbanked populations, providing them with access to essential financial services.
Commitment by MiniPay's Managers
Jason Rodrigues, Head of Founder Programs at the Celo Foundation stated, “The Celo community is thrilled to support the growth of our shared mission, to create the conditions of prosperity for all, through Opera MiniPay. This partnership allows real-world users access to a variety of inclusive financial tools in a seamless, fast, and reliable way.”Charles Hamel, Product Director at MiniPay, said, “The MiniPay wallet has been designed to be intuitive for users of all experience levels to reap the benefits that decentralized finance can bring. Via a familiar Web2 experience, MiniPay makes it easier and more affordable for individuals across Africa to acquire, send, and receive Mento cUSD stablecoins – simply by using mobile phone numbers.”
Markus Franke, CEO at Mento Labs, added, “Mento Labs is excited to support the MiniPay rollout that aims to provide affordable and accessible financial services to Opera’s user base in Africa. Focusing on speed, reliability, and financial inclusivity, MiniPay gives users a secure and transparent way to easily store and send funds using stablecoins.”
Looking ahead, Opera and its partners plan to expand Opera MiniPay's reach across Africa and introduce new features that cater to the evolving needs of users. This includes integrating additional functionalities like bill payments, airtime top-up, and merchant payments, further solidifying Opera MiniPay's position as a leading mobile money platform in Africa.
How to Download MiniPay Wallet/App
You can begin using the Opera MiniPay App simply by downloading and installing the mobile application from the Google Play Store or Apple Apple Store. Once downloaded, you can proceed to account registration to claim your cUSD stablecoin wallet.
About Opera
Opera is a global web innovator. Opera's browsers, including Opera Mini, are used by hundreds of millions of people around the world. Opera also develops a range of popular apps, including Opera News, a personalized news reader, and Opera GX, a gaming-focused browser.
About Celo
Celo is a global, open-source platform for building programmable payments and decentralized applications. Celo's mission is to create a more inclusive financial system that puts the power of finance in the hands of everyone.
About Mento Labs
Mento Labs is a venture studio building the next generation of Web3 infrastructure and applications. Mento Labs was founded by a team of experienced entrepreneurs and technologists with a passion for building products that have a positive impact on the world.