Microfinance Focus, May 28, 2011: Telecom industry intelligence provider Berg Insight has predicted in its latest report that the number of mobile money subscribers in emerging markets will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40 percent to reach 709 million users in 2015.

In 2010 there were only 133million users and the total value of mobile money transactions was US$ 25 billion. This value now expected to grow at a CAGR of 54 percent to US$ 215 billion in 2015, the report says.

The report forecasts Asia Pacific to emerge as the most important regional market with over 50 percent of user base residing in the region. Mobile Phone is expected to become the primary digital channel for financial services and financial institutions are now viewing mobile money services as high-priority strategic projects.

International mobile remittances is also identified as a high growth market with an estimation of US$ 16 billion worth of international money transfers to be received using mobile phones in 2015, up from less than US$ 1 billion in 2010.

The report also identifies mobile international value transfer as a high-growth market and an important revenue source for mobile industry players. Berg Insight estimates that US$ 16 billion worth of international money transfers will be received using mobile phones in 2015, up from less than US$ 1 billion in 2010.

International airtime transfers are also expected to grow at a CAGR of 67 percent from US$ 130 million in 2010 to reach US$ 1.67 billion in 2015.