Financial Inclusion in West and Central Africa: KaliSpot’s 1Net as a Scalable Infrastructure Play in the Fintech Ecosystem

Financial inclusion in West and Central Africa has long been a puzzle of paradoxes: a region with explosive mobile money growth but stubborn infrastructure gaps, a population increasingly digitized but still excluded from formal systems, and a fintech ecosystem brimming with innovation yet constrained by regulatory and logistical hurdles. Enter KaliSpot’s 1Net, a hybrid infrastructure play that could redefine the financial inclusion narrative in the region. By combining physical kiosks with AI-driven digital tools, 1Net is not just a product—it’s a platform for systemic change.

The State of Financial Inclusion in West and Central Africa

According to the Global Findex 2025, account ownership in Sub-Saharan Africa has surged from 34% in 2014 to 58% in 2024, driven largely by mobile money adoption [2]. Countries like Senegal, where mobile money has pushed adult account ownership to 56%, exemplify this progress [5]. Yet, the report also underscores persistent challenges: digital transaction usage (e.g., merchant and utility payments) remains low, and gender and income disparities persist [5].

The State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report 2025 adds another layer: while urban centers benefit from digital connectivity, rural areas—home to 60–70% of populations in some countries—remain underserved [1]. This “rural-urban divide” is a critical bottleneck. For instance, a small business owner in rural Uganda, Miriam, faces daily financial uncertainty due to a lack of access to formal tools [3].

The Infrastructure Gap and the Rise of IIPS

The solution lies in Inclusive Instant Payment Systems (IIPS). Countries with cross-domain IIPS have seen a 37% increase in account ownership and a 73% jump in digital payment adoption, compared to 14% and 15% in those without [2]. These systems, designed to be interoperable across banks, fintechs, and mobile money providers, are the backbone of scalable financial inclusion.

KaliSpot’s 1Net smart kiosks are a physical-digital hybrid of this vision. Launched in Senegal in September 2025, the kiosks offer 24/7 cash-in/cash-out services, biometric verification, and conversational AI in local languages [1]. By integrating with existing financial systems, 1Net acts as a bridge between unbanked populations and the formal economy.

KaliSpot’s 1Net: A Scalable Infrastructure Play

KaliSpot’s strategy is rooted in hybrid infrastructure. The company’s partnership with Solarix to deploy kiosks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo exemplifies its regional ambitions [1]. This expansion aligns with broader fintech trends in Francophone West Africa, where regulatory reforms and mobile-first ecosystems are enabling startups like Djamo and Julaya to thrive [4].

The kiosks’ design is equally innovative. By embedding conversational AI and biometric verification, 1Net reduces friction for users unfamiliar with digital tools. For example, a rural farmer can authenticate transactions via fingerprint, while a merchant can use voice commands to process payments in their local language. This user-centric approach is critical in regions where literacy and digital fluency vary widely.

Metrics and Market Adoption

While specific adoption rates for 1Net are not yet public, the project’s strategic alignment with regional priorities is clear. Senegal’s government has prioritized digital infrastructure through its New Deal Technologique, creating a fertile environment for fintechs like Wave and InTouch [4]. KaliSpot’s kiosks are part of this ecosystem, with plans to scale across Senegal in 2025 and expand into the Congo Basin [1].

The company’s long-term goal—to establish a hybrid proximity platform across West and Central Africa within three years—positions it as a key player in the region’s financial infrastructure [1]. This platform would integrate physical kiosks with digital tools, enabling seamless transactions for 86% of Africa’s informal economy [5].

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its promise, 1Net faces hurdles. Fintech startups in Francophone West Africa often struggle with pre-seed funding and regulatory complexity, such as BCEAO’s licensing requirements [4]. Additionally, rural connectivity gaps—exacerbated by limited fiber-optic networks—remain a challenge [3]. However, KaliSpot’s partnerships with entities like Solarix and its focus on hybrid infrastructure (e.g., satellite connectivity) mitigate these risks [1].

The Investment Thesis

KaliSpot’s 1Net is more than a fintech product—it’s a systemic infrastructure play. By addressing the “last-mile” problem in financial inclusion, the kiosks create a flywheel effect: increased access drives digital adoption, which in turn fuels economic activity and regulatory support. For investors, this represents a high-conviction opportunity in a market where the World Bank estimates that every 10% increase in financial inclusion could boost GDP growth by 0.5–1% [5].

Conclusion

Financial inclusion in West and Central Africa is no longer a question of “if” but “how.” KaliSpot’s 1Net offers a compelling answer: a scalable, user-centric infrastructure that bridges the gap between digital innovation and on-the-ground needs. As the company expands into the Congo Basin and beyond, it’s not just building kiosks—it’s laying the groundwork for a more inclusive financial future.

**Source:[1] KaliSpot launches its first 1Net smart kiosks in Senegal and announces the appointment of its first distributor for the Congo Basin, https://www.africa-newsroom.com/press/kalispot-launches-its-first-1net-smart-kiosks-in-senegal-and-announces-the-appointment-of-its-first-distributor-for-the-congo-basin[2] The Global Findex 2025: Could Instant Payments be Driving Financial Inclusion in Africa, https://www.africanenda.org/en/blog/2025/the-global-findex-2025-could-instant-payments-be-driving-financial-inclusion-in-africa[3] Africa's opportunities for the next frontier, https://www.internationaltelecomsweekafrica.com/africa-connectivity-insights/technology-infrastructure-revolution-africas-opportunities-next-frontier[4] Fintech in Francophone Africa: What's Driving Growth and ... https://emergingmarkets.today/fintech-in-francophone-africa-whats-driving-growth-and-whats-holding-it-back/[5] Financial inclusion in Africa: Progress, challenges, and the ... [https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/developmenttalk/financial-inclusion-in-africa--progress--challenges--and-the-roa0]