In an important development for the digital economy in Africa, First National Bank (FNB) has teamed up with Mastercard to launch Globba™, a cutting-edge cross-border payments platform built to make remittances faster, cheaper, and smarter.
Powered by Mastercard Move, Globba™ promises to eliminate the high fees, long delays, and opaque processes that have long frustrated individuals and businesses sending money abroad.
Now live on both the FNB and RMB Private Banking apps, the platform enables seamless transfers to over 120 countries, marking one of the continent’s most significant fintech rollouts yet.
Announced on November 11, 2025, during South Africa’s G20 Finance Track push for payment modernisation, Globba™ targets low-value remittances, including the everyday cross-border transactions that sustain families, fuel small businesses, and connect economies.
With Africa’s remittance inflows surpassing $95 billion in 2024 (and projected to top $100 billion soon), the timing couldn’t be better.
The Pain Points Globba™ Solves: From Frustration to Frictionless
Cross-border payments remain among the most expensive in the world. In Q1 2024, sending $200 to sub-Saharan Africa cost an average of 8.4%, more than double the global benchmark, while transfers could take days or even weeks.
Globba™ changes that.
- Fees start as low as R30 ($1.65), down from FNB’s previous R100 minimum, making smaller transfers practical and affordable.
- Speed: Near-instant delivery to bank accounts, mobile wallets, or cash pick-up points.
- Transparency: Built on Mastercard Move’s global network spanning 200+ countries and 150+ currencies, users can track transfers in real time with no hidden fees and no “black box” delays.
The launch directly supports the G20’s 2027 goal to cap global remittance costs at 3%, a target that’s been elusive without innovations like this.
By prioritising corridors such as Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, and Ghana, Globba™ is data-driven, empowering users with visibility and control.
FNB’s Digital Ambition: Built on Strong Foundations
As the retail arm of FirstRand, FNB contributes 58% of the group’s normalised earnings, which reached R22 billion in FY2024, powered by strong net interest income and rapid digital adoption.
Globba™ extends this digital-first strategy. Integrated directly into FNB’s existing app ecosystem, it requires no extra downloads or learning curves.
It taps into Africa’s 7% annual remittance growth and the continent’s march toward a $1.5 trillion digital payments market by 2030.
With internet penetration rising 20% annually and financial inclusion up 6% per year, FNB’s move positions it squarely in the flow of Africa’s fintech boom, particularly as MSMEs, which drive over 50% of the continent’s GDP, adopt digital channels for trade and transfers.
Voices from the Vanguard
Lytania Johnson, CEO of FNB’s Personal Segment, emphasised the platform’s human impact:
“Globba™ represents a powerful platform for inclusion, speed, and transparency, empowering Pan-African families with seamless connectivity.”
Onur Kursun, Mastercard’s EVP for Commercial and New Payment Flows in EEMEA, highlighted the broader transformation:
“This is the cornerstone of Africa’s digital economy, connecting families, SMEs, and trade with choice and confidence.”
The partnership combines FNB’s trusted local brand with Mastercard’s global reach positioning both to challenge incumbents like Western Union and MoneyGram in Africa’s $100-billion remittance market.
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The Road Ahead: Expansion, Regulation, and Ecosystem Growth
With South Africa’s G20 presidency amplifying calls for payment reform, Globba™ launches at an opportune moment.
The plan: a pan-African rollout across FNB’s footprint, including Botswana, Zambia, and Namibia pending regulatory approvals.
Early priorities:
- Deepening African remittance corridors.
- Scaling toward SME and trade finance use cases.
- Exploring integrations with fintechs, telcos, and e-commerce platforms.
Challenges persist, particularly regulatory harmonisation under PAPSS (Pan-African Payment and Settlement System) and cybersecurity in fragmented markets, but momentum is clearly building.
As AI and data analytics enhance routing efficiency, Globba™ could become the blueprint for frictionless regional payments.
Globba™ vs. Traditional Remittances: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Traditional Channels | Globba™ (FNB + Mastercard Move) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Days to weeks | Near-instant (minutes) |
| Cost (R500 send) | R100+ (≈20%) | From R30 (~6%) |
| Destinations | Limited corridors | 120+ countries |
| Payout Options | Mostly cash pickup | Bank, wallet, or cash |
| Transparency | Low (hidden fees) | Full traceability |
| Accessibility | Branch/in-person | App-based, 24/7 |
(Based on 2024 World Bank and FNB data.)
Bridging Borders, Building Futures
In a year when remittances hit record highs and digital adoption accelerates, FNB and Mastercard are giving users what they’ve long needed: faster, cheaper, and transparent access to global payments.
Exploring FNB’s Digital and Regional Banking Services
FNB Online login gives customers seamless access to digital banking through the secure FNB website and FNB App, allowing easy transactions and account management.
Across regions like FNB Zambia, FNB South Africa, and FNB Eswatini, the bank continues to expand its footprint while maintaining excellent customer support through the FNB contact number.
As part of its growth, FNB Banking integrates innovation and accessibility, positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading financial institutions.
Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, climate change, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.
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