MTN MoMo Bénin: PI-SPI Implementation Reshapes Mobile Money by 2026

• MTN MoMo Bénin will implement the BCEAO-mandated PI-SPI system for all interoperable electronic money transactions starting November 2, 2026.
• A new tariff structure introduces zero-cost national interoperable transfers up to 8,000 FCFA daily, with a 0.5% fee for amounts exceeding this.
• The PI-SPI system will enable transfers to over 170 financial institutions across all eight UEMOA countries.
• Key account limits are increasing, with the maximum balance rising to 4,000,000 FCFA and the monthly top-up limit to 15,000,000 FCFA.
• The per-transaction limit for interoperable transfers from a MoMo account will increase to 2,000,000 FCFA.

The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) has mandated a new interoperability framework, Avis N0019, which will see all electronic money transactions become exclusively interoperable via the PI-SPI system for MTN MoMo Bénin.

MTN MoMo Bénin has announced a series of significant updates to its mobile money services, fundamentally altering how electronic transactions will be conducted in the country. These changes, which include a new interoperability framework, revised tariffs, and increased account limits, are set to take effect on November 2, 2026. The telecommunications giant informed its customer base that all interoperable electronic money transactions will transition to an exclusive use of the PI-SPI system, accessible through its updated MoMo application. This move represents a major shift in the landscape of digital financial services, aiming to streamline and standardize mobile money operations.

The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) has mandated a new interoperability framework, Avis N0019, which will see all electronic money transactions become exclusively interoperable via the PI-SPI system for MTN MoMo Bénin. This directive, effective November 2, 2026, requires a complete migration to the new platform for all such transactions. This initiative is designed to foster greater integration and seamless transfers across various financial institutions.

In conjunction with this regulatory shift, MTN MoMo Bénin has also unveiled a new tariff structure for national interoperable transfers conducted through PI-SPI. Customers will benefit from zero-cost transfers for cumulative national interoperable transactions totaling up to 8,000 FCFA per day. For any national interoperable transfers exceeding this daily threshold, a charge of 0.5% of the transaction value will be applied. These MTN MoMo Bénin new tariffs are part of the broader effort to standardize costs for electronic money interoperability within the region, reflecting the BCEAO's guidelines.

Beyond national interoperable transactions, the PI-SPI mobile money Benin system will significantly broaden the scope of services available to MTN MoMo Bénin users. Customers will gain the ability to send and receive funds to and from over 170 authorized participants, including banks, electronic money institutions, microfinance organizations, and payment institutions, across all eight countries of the UEMOA zone. This expansion underscores a commitment to regional financial inclusion and connectivity.

Accessing these expanded PI-SPI services will be straightforward, with two primary options provided. Users can either download the new MoMo App, navigate to the dedicated PI-SPI section, and follow the on-screen instructions, or they can utilize the USSD code by dialing *880#, selecting option 8, and proceeding as directed. Furthermore, the MTN MoMo account limits Benin are also undergoing substantial revisions from November 2, 2026. The maximum account balance will increase from 2,000,000 FCFA to 4,000,000 FCFA, while the cumulative monthly top-up limit will rise from 10,000,000 FCFA to 15,000,000 FCFA. The per-transfer limit for interoperable transactions from a MoMo account is also being quadrupled, moving from 500,000 FCFA to 2,000,000 FCFA.

Compliance officers and legal counsel for financial institutions and fintech companies operating in Benin must review and update their internal policies, transaction processing systems, and customer communications to align with the new BCEAO-mandated PI-SPI interoperability framework, revised tariff structure, and increased MoMo account limits, effective November 2, 2026.

Source: Original reporting via MTN Mobile Money Bénin SA communiqué