Revolut, the global fintech giant, has officially opened its new global headquarters in London’s Canary Wharf while outlining its strategy to become the world’s first truly global bank. The company revealed bold growth targets, including surpassing 100 million customers by mid-2027 and entering more than 30 new markets by 2030. Alongside its international plans, Revolut is making its first major push into Africa, starting with South Africa.
Major Investment Commitments
To support this vision, Revolut announced a $13 billion (£10 billion) global investment plan over the next five years. This includes $4 billion (£3 billion) dedicated to the UK, creating over 1,000 jobs, and substantial allocations to its Western Europe hub in France and the US market. Additional funding will also accelerate growth across Latin America, the Middle East, APAC, and Africa, underscoring Revolut’s global ambitions.
African Market Entry
South Africa is at the center of Revolut’s African expansion strategy. The company confirmed it is working closely with the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to secure a commercial banking license, which would allow it to offer a full suite of financial services beyond payments. According to Jacques Meyer, Revolut’s South Africa CEO, the move reflects the company’s belief that South Africans are ready for a digital-first banking model that challenges incumbents.
Why South Africa Matters
South Africa offers a unique entry point into the continent due to its diversified economy, rising digital adoption, and growing appetite for modern financial services. If successful, Revolut will be able to provide South Africans with access to banking, savings, investing, and payments services within a single app. The company has already outlined its goal of becoming the go-to financial app for millions of South Africans, aiming for a top-three app position in the market.
Broader Regional Outlook
While South Africa represents Revolut’s first African move, the company is already eyeing further expansion across the continent. With increasing mobile penetration and a rising young, digital-first population, Africa presents a long-term growth opportunity for global fintech players. Revolut’s model of combining retail banking, business finance, and innovative digital tools positions it well to compete in underserved markets.
International Growth Beyond Africa
Revolut’s African push is part of a larger global expansion roadmap. The company is preparing to launch as a bank in Mexico next year, with Colombia and Argentina following shortly after. In Asia-Pacific, Revolut has secured a payments license in India and established a new tech hub in the Philippines, while it also moves forward with license applications in Australia and New Zealand.
Innovation and Business Growth
Revolut continues to strengthen its technology and product offering. Co-founder and CTO Vlad Yatsenko highlighted the company’s investment in artificial intelligence and private banking as part of its innovation strategy. Meanwhile, Revolut Business recently surpassed $1 billion in annualised revenue and processes over four million monthly merchant payments, cementing its status as a leader in B2B fintech.
Strategic Partnerships
The company is also leveraging partnerships to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement. Its collaboration with the future Audi F1 Team includes co-branded products such as limited-edition cards. Revolut believes such partnerships will play a role in sustaining its momentum as it pushes deeper into new markets.
Revolut’s decision to open a global headquarters in London while committing billions to international expansion underscores its ambition to reshape banking worldwide. Its planned entry into South Africa signals the beginning of a broader African strategy, marking the continent as a critical frontier for the company’s growth. By combining innovation, partnerships, and aggressive market entry, Revolut aims to become a top global financial services provider while unlocking opportunities in emerging markets like Africa.