Emerging markets to power the next digital payments boom, study shows

By Puja Sharma

A strategic guide helps global businesses decode fragmented markets and capitalise on the digital payment surge across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

A new industry handbook offers international businesses a timely roadmap to navigate the rapidly evolving payments landscape across the Global South. The 2025 edition of the Emerging Markets Payments Handbook offers international businesses a timely roadmap to navigate the rapidly evolving payments landscape across the Global South. The 2025 edition of the report, published by cross-border payments platform dLocal, delivers data-rich insights and market intelligence for companies looking to scale in the world’s most dynamic and fragmented economies.

As emerging markets are projected to contribute 65% of global economic growth by 2035, the report positions itself as an essential resource for unlocking opportunities in regions with rising digital demand and diverse consumer behaviours. It combines robust data analysis with on-the-ground perspectives across Africa & the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America—markets that are becoming the epicentre of global commerce.

What the 2025 Handbook Offers

The publication explores the nuances of local payment preferences, the dominance of alternative payment methods (APMs), and regulatory developments shaping the future of digital transactions. Key highlights include:

• In-depth analysis of high-growth markets: Gain a deep understanding of demographics and payment ecosystems across Africa & the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, empowering readers with the tools needed to unlock vast potential.
• The rise of Alternative Payment Methods (APMs): Explore how APMs like eWallets, real-time payments (RTPs), BNPL, cash, and bank transfers are becoming the primary way to pay, not just alternatives.
• Regional trends and projections: Discover evolving payment trends and behaviors, including the surge of mobile money in East and West Africa, the dominance of eWallets in Asia-Pacific (accounting for 70% of eCommerce payments), and the rapid adoption of real-time payments in Latin America, projected to see the world’s fastest growth by 2027 (29% CAGR).
• Strategic insights into local realities: Understand how markets like Nigeria—with its youthful, fast-growing population—Brazil, through its Pix-driven transformation, and Pakistan, with a vast unbanked base, are among the local forces reshaping the future of digital commerce.
• Regulatory evolution and innovation: Learn about the proactive regulatory environments fostering innovation and laying the groundwork for more inclusive and efficient digital finance.

Pedro Arnt, CEO of dLocal, said: “The most significant growth story in global commerce isn’t playing out in traditional markets—it’s unfolding across emerging economies. With 85% of the global population and a rapidly expanding middle class, the Global South presents unparalleled opportunities. But this growth is coupled with complexity, from fragmented payment ecosystems to rapidly shifting consumer expectations. This Handbook aims to simplify that landscape for businesses looking to lead.”

The 2025 Emerging Markets Payments Handbook serves as a blueprint for navigating the next decade of digital finance. With strategic insights tailored for payments professionals, regulatory bodies, and global merchants, it helps decode what’s next in the future of money.