Emerging markets are transforming global finance through AI-driven financial ecosystems that bypass legacy infrastructure and respond directly to local needs. Despite rapid digital progress, 1.4 billion adults remain unbanked, highlighting a gap between innovation and inclusion. AI is enabling a shift, particularly in regions such as Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, where mobile-first populations are co-creating modern financial systems. Instead of relying on traditional credit scores, financial identities are now shaped by alternative data such as mobile usage patterns and geolocation. According to a Boston Consulting Group report, global fintech revenues could reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, with much of this growth driven by emerging economies. The article states that the biggest barrier to the shift is not infrastructure or geography, but rather a lack of intent.
From Brazil’s Nubank to Nigeria’s MoniePoint, fintech players are scaling by meeting underserved needs. Markets like Indonesia and Egypt have seen digital financial activity grow exponentially by 226% and 5.5 times respectively in 2024. Astra Tech is putting this approach into practice through its flagship platform, Botim, which now serves over 150 million active users. Originally built to streamline communication, Botim has evolved into a hub for financial interaction, where a simple remittance chat can trigger a micro-loan, or a voice message in a local language can prompt AI-generated savings advice.
