FirstBank DRC, a subsidiary of Nigeria’s First Bank Holdings, has launched a new digital banking application, FirstMonie, as part of its push to expand financial services and increase the contribution of digital products to its revenue.
The app, unveiled on January 28, 2026, is designed to allow customers to open bank accounts remotely in under five minutes, a feature aimed at simplifying access to financial services and accelerating customer acquisition. FirstMonie also enables users to transfer funds across multiple mobile money networks, including M-Pesa, Orange Money, and Airtel Money, as well as within the FirstBank ecosystem. Additional functionalities include bill payments, subscription payments, airtime top-ups, and other low-cost financial services.
According to the bank, the launch aligns with its 2024 strategic plan to expand retail and digital banking services. The institution has set a target to increase the share of revenue generated by digital products to 30 percent of total turnover. In 2024, FirstBank DRC reported total revenue of 331.3 billion Congolese francs (around $120 million).
“This is a remarkable and unique innovation on the market,” said FirstBank DRC Chairman Kandolo Kasongo during the launch. “The application has been brilliantly tested and is very easy to use. It will continue to evolve: within a year, you will not recognize it.”
The app’s success is expected to rely heavily on the bank’s agent network. FirstBank DRC has announced plans to deploy 100,000 agents nationwide by 2029, a move intended to support wallet funding, transaction processing, and broader adoption of digital banking services. Users can fund their FirstMonie wallets via transfers from existing FirstBank accounts, deposits at branches, or through the agent network.
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E-business director Jérémie Lukusa emphasized that the platform would continue evolving, introducing new features over time to meet the growing needs of consumers and businesses. He said the app positions the bank to compete more effectively with mobile financial service providers while supporting financial inclusion across the Democratic Republic of Congo.
FirstMonie enters a market where mobile money and digital wallets are increasingly becoming central to financial ecosystems. Neighboring countries, such as Uganda, have seen mobile wallets expand beyond basic money transfers to include government tax payments and other public services, illustrating the potential for digital platforms to serve as comprehensive financial hubs.
Analysts say that digital banking adoption in Africa’s largest countries remains constrained by limited infrastructure, low banking penetration, and challenges with last-mile connectivity. By offering fast account opening, multi-network integration, and agent-supported wallet funding, FirstBank DRC hopes to overcome these barriers and increase access to banking for underserved populations.
The introduction of FirstMonie is part of a broader trend in the region as banks and fintech firms compete to capture the growing market for digital and mobile financial services, fueled by increasing smartphone penetration, expanding internet connectivity, and rising demand for cashless transactions.
As financial technology continues to reshape banking across Africa, FirstBank DRC’s strategy emphasizes scaling digital products while maintaining regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. The initiative also reflects a shift toward inclusive banking, targeting individuals and small enterprises that previously lacked convenient access to formal financial services.
With the FirstMonie app, FirstBank DRC aims not only to improve the speed, convenience, and security of financial transactions but also to position itself as a key player in the DRC’s ongoing digital financial transformation.
