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Insights and Expertise

countries can enhance financial inclusion and create a more accessible via APMs can also help platforms culti-
more accessible financial ecosystem for all. vate stronger gaming communities, enhancing the overall
gaming experience. This ripple effect could extend even
Why it matters further, introducing APMs to the broader community be-
Despite overall progress in promoting financial inclusion yond gamers.
across the continent, there are significant gaps in access to
accounts for women, as well as for poorer adults, less edu- The growing gamer population means APM will grow
cated or rural adults (see https://bit.ly/3Nx6CnO). APMs alongside it, potentially expanding beyond the gaming
are crucial in promoting financial inclusion by providing community, which can only be a positive development
access to financial services for individuals and businesses for the broader market. More than 80 million unbanked
that are typically underserved or excluded by traditional adults in Sub-Saharan Africa receive payments for agri-
banking systems. Moreover, APMs often come with lower cultural goods in cash. Consider the impact of digitizing
fees compared to conventional banking services, making those payments, and how it could motivate a share of un-
them more affordable even for low-income individuals. banked adults to adopt formal accounts, leading to an in-
They also do not require users to maintain a minimum crease in financial inclusion.
balance, which can be a barrier to entry for traditional
bank accounts. Gamers have long recognized the value of APMs. By ini-
tially spreading among gaming communities, these inno-
Critical for many African communities, APMs cater to vative APMs can establish a presence in Africa, ultimately
those without access to traditional banking by provid- benefiting underbanked communities the most.
ing essential services like remittances, bill payments, Kamran Hedjri is group CEO at PXP Financial, an end-to-end payment
and savings options. Some APMs also feature simplified platform that provides a single unified payments platform to accept
Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, making it easier payments online, on mobile and at the point of sale. Powered by in-
for individuals to open accounts. By broadening access to house acquiring, 120+ alternative payment methods and financial
gaming through APMs, game developers can enter pre- services, PXP processes over EUR 22.7 billion annually. To find out more
viously untapped African markets, unlocking substantial about PXP, visit www.pxpfinancial.com. Contact Kamran Hedjri at www.
growth potential for the gaming industry. Making gaming linkedin.com/in/kamranhedjri/?originalSubdomain=gi.

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