Mobile point-of-sale (mPoS) transactions are set to grow 83%, reaching nearly $5tn by 2030, according to a study from Juniper Research.

The researchers found global mPoS transactions will hit $4.9tn in 2030, up from $2.7tn this year.

This growth will be driven by a shift from fixed PoS terminals at checkouts as retail stores evolve, and from growing card acceptance in emerging markets.

The mPoS terminals can accept card payments by connecting to compatible smart devices, such as a smartphones or tablets.

Juniper believes mPoS will be resilient versus a dramatic soft PoS growth. Soft PoS is where the smartphone or tablet itself is used to collect a contactless payment. While soft PoS is growing rapidly, it is largely displacing cash in smaller, occasional transactions. MPoS, by offering dedicated hardware, is better suited to traditional retail and hospitality environments, which are shifting away from fixed countertop machines.

The research suggests mPoS will drive the expansion of card payments in emerging markets, particularly within Africa. While digital wallets are popular in Africa, cards are often a premium add-on to mobile money services, meaning card acceptance is a must.

“As a result of this, coupled with rising affluence, we forecast that mPoS transaction values in Africa and the Middle East will rise by far above the global average, growing by over 200% between 2025 and 2030,” said Nick Maynard, Juniper vice president. “To capitalise on this growth, mPoS providers should consider partnering with local super apps, such as M-Pesa in Kenya, to create PoS options which work within wider ecosystems; maximising merchant appeal.”

The research suite offers a comprehensive assessment of the mPoS terminals and soft PoS market, including market analysis and in-depth forecasts for 61 countries. The dataset contains over 46,000 market statistics and an examination of current and future market opportunities.

For more details, see www.juniperresearch.com/research/fintech-payments/core-payments/mpos-terminals-soft-pos-research-report or download a sample at www.juniperresearch.com/resources/free-research/from-hardware-to-everywhere-the-rise-of-mpos-softpos.