mPOS Transactions to Reach $5 Trillion by 2030

A new study from Juniper Research has found that global mPOS transactions will reach $4.9 trillion in 2030, up from $2.7 trillion in 2025. This growth will be driven by a shift from fixed POS terminals at checkouts as retail stores evolve, and a growing card acceptance in emerging markets.

Juniper Research believes mPOS will be resilient versus dramatic soft POS growth. Soft POS is where the smartphone or tablet itself is used to collect a contactless payment. While soft POS is growing rapidly, it is largely displacing cash in smaller, occasional transactions. mPOS, by offering dedicated hardware, is better suited to traditional retail and hospitality environments, which are shifting away from fixed countertop machines.

The research identified that mPOS will drive the expansion of card payments in emerging markets, particularly within Africa. While digital wallets are popular in Africa, cards are often a premium add-on to mobile money services, meaning that card acceptance is a must. As a result of this, coupled with rising affluence, we forecast that mPOS transaction values in Africa & the Middle East will rise by far above the global average; growing by over 200% between 2025 & 2030.

“To capitalize on this growth, mPOS providers should consider partnering with local superapps, such as M-PESA in Kenya, to create POS solutions which work within wider ecosystems; maximising merchant appeal,” explained Nick Maynard, VP of Fintech Market Research at Juniper Research.