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Payments

Bank Transfer vs Mobile Money vs Crypto: Which is Best?

A practical comparison of the payment rails available to African businesses and how to pick the right mix for your clients.

David Mensah
October 25, 2024
6 min read
Article illustration coming soon

Plaen connects to mobile money, traditional bank transfers, and cryptocurrency rails because different clients trust different channels. Choosing the right mix requires understanding fees, settlement speed, and the expectations of your buyers.

How the options compare

Each payment method has trade-offs. Mobile money wins on adoption and speed, bank transfers remain the gold standard for corporate finance teams, and crypto creates opportunities for international receipts when card fees are too high.

MethodSettlement timeAverage feesIdeal for
Mobile moneyInstant to 5 minutes1% - 3%Domestic clients, on-the-go services
Bank transferSame day to 48 hoursFlat bank feesCorporate projects, high-value retainers
Stablecoin cryptoMinutes once confirmedNetwork fee dependentInternational buyers avoiding card networks

Designing your payment mix

Start by mapping your current client segments. Which industries do they operate in, what are their internal approval processes, and which currencies do they hold? The right combination balances client convenience with operational simplicity for your team.

Questions to discuss with finance teams

  • Does their treasury policy restrict mobile money or crypto rails?
  • Do they require invoices to reference a specific bank branch or SWIFT code?
  • How important is same-day reconciliation in their workflow?
  • What documentation do they expect when exchange rates are involved?

Operational tips for each method

Mobile money

Confirm the registered phone number and network before sending instructions. Encourage clients to include the invoice reference in the payment note so Plaen can reconcile automatically.

Bank transfers

Provide full banking details, including beneficiary address and branch code. Offer downloadable remittance advice templates that clients can forward to their accounting teams.

Crypto payments

Stick to reputable stablecoins and outline the on-ramp steps inside the invoice message. Plaen can automate conversion to your base currency so you do not carry exchange risk longer than necessary.

Review and refine quarterly

Payment behavior shifts as clients change banks, add new approval layers, or expand to new markets. Set a recurring reminder to review uptake per channel every quarter. Retire methods that create support tickets and double down on the channels your clients love.

Offering choice without creating chaos is the hallmark of a modern billing team. With Plaen, you can orchestrate multiple payment rails behind one invoice experience and keep every transaction easy to track.

Tags:PaymentsComparisonStrategy