Several adverts we studied came from payments companies. Mobile money checkout is a flow where clear design really matters: people are nervous about their money, networks are unreliable, and confusion leads to lost sales or double payments.
How a mobile money payment usually works
Details vary by provider, but the common flow is:
- The customer chooses mobile money and enters their number and network (for example MTN MoMo, Telecel Cash or AT Money).
- Your app asks your server to start the payment. The server talks to the payment provider using secret keys. Never put those keys in frontend code.
- The provider sends an approval prompt to the customer's phone. Some providers send a one time code first, or ask the customer to approve from their mobile money menu. The customer enters their PIN on their own phone, not in your app.
- The payment is pending until the customer approves or the request times out.
- The provider tells your server the result, and your app shows success or failure.
Never collect a mobile money PIN in your own form. The provider handles that step. A site asking for a PIN looks like a scam, and it is unsafe.