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April 17, 2026
On the web
What Is a Stablecoin Settlement Layer and Why It Matters for Africa
The Nation Newspaper
"In traditional finance, payment and settlement are two different things. A payment is the instruction to move money (like a swipe of a credit card). Settlement is the actual movement of the underlying asset. In Africa’s current banking landscape, settlement is a game of digital promises. Because local banks often lack direct relationships with one another across borders, they rely on a global web of intermediaries. A stablecoin settlement layer, however, is a blockchain-based rail where the payment and the settlement happen simultaneously."
April 13, 2026
On the web
Flutterwave Secures Nigerian Banking License to Accelerate Payment Efficiency
Intelligent CIO Africa
"Flutterwave, one of Africa’s leading payments companies, announced it has secured a Nigerian banking license. By securing this banking license, Flutterwave gains greater control over how funds move within its ecosystem, including the ability to hold deposits and manage financial flows across its platform."
April 8, 2026
On the web
Namibia Sets 2030 Vision for Digital Payments Growth
CoinGeek
"The Bank of Namibia (BoN), together with the Payments Association of Namibia and financial stakeholders, has launched the National Payment System (NPS) Vision and Strategy 2026 – 2030 to accelerate digital transformation and promote inclusive economic growth in the African nation. The NPS was unveiled as part of the “Inclusive Payments, Shared Prosperity: Charting the Next Era” strategy, which aims to modernize Namibia’s payments infrastructure and strengthen financial innovation."
April 7, 2026
On the web
Kenswitch and Visa Sign Framework Agreement to Support the Evolution Of Kenya’s Payments Ecosystem
Kenswitch
"Kenswitch Limited, Kenya’s shared payments infrastructure provider, and Visa, a global leader in digital payments, announced the signing of a framework agreement to collaborate on advancing payment innovation and supporting the continued development of Kenya’s domestic payment processing and settlement ecosystem. The agreement brings together Kenswitch’s national payments infrastructure and Visa’s global digital payments expertise to support financial institutions, merchants, businesses, and consumers across Kenya."
Cross Switch Goes Live With Absa Pay to Deliver Frictionless, Bank Authenticated Payments for South African Merchants
Cross Switch
"When customers select Absa Pay at checkout, they are routed to a secure Absa environment to authenticate the payment directly with their bank before being returned to the merchant’s platform to complete the transaction. Absa developed Absa Pay to provide fintechs, e‑commerce platforms, and other digital partners with a safe, authenticated way to engage with the bank through secure, API‑based systems. Through the enablement of Absa Pay, Cross Switch merchants benefit from strong customer authentication, real‑time payment confirmation, and consistent system reliability delivered through bank‑side monitoring."
April 3, 2026
On the web
Ghana’s National ID Cards Can Now Make Payments
TechCabal
"Ghana’s National Identification Authority (NIA), a statutory body mandated to establish a national identification system, has now added a digital wallet to the Ghana Card, the identification card used for services like SIM registration and passport applications. The new payments feature, first announced in September 2025, allows users to make use of ATMs, make payments in stores and online, make international payments with over 200 countries, and access other services such as insurance and emergency assistance."
April 2, 2026
On the wires
Flutterwave Secures Nigerian Banking License to Accelerate Payment Efficiency
PR Newswire
"Flutterwave Inc., Africa's leading payments technology company, today announced it has secured a Nigerian banking license. This license enables the company to hold funds and deposits directly, strengthening its financial infrastructure across its largest market and enabling more efficient financial services and settlement flows for consumers, businesses and enterprises."
March 30, 2026
On the web
Namibia Launches National Payment System Vision 2026–2030 to Boost Digital Economy
TechAfrica News
"The Bank of Namibia, in collaboration with the Payments Association of Namibia and stakeholders, has launched the National Payment System (NPS) Vision and Strategy 2026–2030. The initiative builds on progress achieved under the previous Vision framework. These include regulatory reforms, increased interoperability across payment channels, expansion of digital payment services, and adoption of global standards such as ISO 20022. The country also introduced Open Banking frameworks and NAMQR code standards to enhance payment efficiency."
January 5, 2026
On the wires
Flutterwave Expands Payments Infrastructure With Acquisition of Open Banking Firm Mono
PR Newswire
"Flutterwave, Africa's leading payments technology company, has acquired Mono, a pioneer in open banking infrastructure across the continent. The transaction deepens Flutterwave's long-term commitment to building a connected, interoperable financial system for Africa and positions open banking as a core pillar in the evolution of alternative payment methods across the region."
December 2, 2025
On the web
Wise Receives Conditional Regulatory Approval to Launch in South Africa, Marking Company's First License in Africa
Wise Newsroom
"Wise has secured conditional approval from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to operate as a Category 2 Authorised Dealer in Foreign Exchange with Limited Authority (ADLA). This approval marks Wise's first-ever regulatory approval in Africa and paves the way for its entry into South Africa, enabling it to offer transfers for personal customers in the country."
November 14, 2025
On the web
Africa’s Digital Payments Gain Momentum: SIIPS 2025 Reveals $2 Trillion in Instant Payments Driving Growth and Inclusion
AfricaNenda
"Africa’s digital payments landscape is expanding at a record pace, marking a turning point towards more inclusive interoperable financial systems. The State of Inclusive Instant Payment Systems (SIIPS) 2025 Report, released by the AfricaNenda Foundation, in partnership with the World Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), reveals how instant payment systems (IPS) are driving economic participation, innovation, and opportunity across the continent."
October 9, 2025
On the wires
African Trade Bloc COMESA Launches Digital Payments System
Reuters
"The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa has launched a digital payments system to cut transaction costs by allowing businesses to settle deals in local currencies. COMESA, which has 21 member states including Egypt, Kenya and Ethiopia, joins efforts by the African continent to push for local currency payments systems to cut trade costs by eliminating the need to convert local currencies into hard currencies, mostly U.S. dollars, for cross-border payments."
August 28, 2025
On the web
Reserve Bank Gets Green Light to Take Full Control of South Africa’s Instant Payment System
MyBroadband
"The Competition Commission has recommended that the Competition Tribunal approve the South African Reserve Bank’s acquisition of control over BankservAfrica, without conditions. BankservAfrica is the developer and processor of South Africa’s new instant payments system, PayShap, and the acquisition will give the Reserve Bank full control over it."
August 15, 2025
On the web
dLocal and Digit9 Partner to Expand Efficient Cross-Border Payouts in Key African Markets
TechAfrica News
"dLocal has partnered with Digit9, a cross-border payments orchestration platform, to support the expansion of its payout offering across key African markets. The partnership with dLocal will see Digit9, a part of global financial services conglomerate LuLu Financial Holdings, utilise local bank rails and widely used alternative payment methods (APMs) across five key African markets."
June 19, 2025
Top Post
Standard Bank First in Africa to Offer Access to China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System
TechAfrica News
"In a first for the continent, Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking is the first authorised bank to offer transactions through China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS). The payment system will allow for interbank payments between Africa and China using Chinese Renminbi (RMB) as the underpinning currency."
May 12, 2025
On the web
Nigeria Adopts Papss to Simplify Intra-African Cross-Border Payments
Trade Finance Global
"The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has unveiled a progressive circular that dramatically simplifies documentation requirements for transactions via the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). Under the new directive, effective immediately, individuals can now conduct transactions up to $2,000 per month with minimal documentation, while corporate entities enjoy a threshold of $5,000. Only basic know your customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) documents will be required."
May 7, 2025
On the web
How Stablecoins Are Revolutionising Cross-Border Payments in Africa
Techpoint Africa
"Cross-border payments in Africa are some of the most expensive and complex in the world. According to the World Bank, sub-Saharan Africa remains the most costly region for remittances, with an average cost of 8.37%. But a relatively quiet revolution is underway, powered by stablecoins, a kind of cryptocurrency designed to hold steady value, usually pegged to fiat currencies like the US dollar."
April 11, 2025
On the web
AfricaNenda Foundation and Partners Celebrate the Successful Announcement of Rwanda’s Instant Inclusive Payment System – eKash
AfricaNenda
"The AfricaNenda Foundation, in collaboration with the Rwanda Information Society Authority, RSwitch, Ministry of ICT & Innovation, National Bank of Rwanda and RSwitch, successfully launched the second use case of eKash (Rwanda National Digital Payment System RNDPS) in February 2025. The unveiling of eKash’s interoperable merchant payments was highlighted at the Inclusive Fintech Forum 2025, where RSwitch introduced the Person-to-Merchant (P2M) use case."
March 14, 2025
On the wires
African Payments System PAPSS Plans to Launch FX Market Platform This Year
Reuters
"A pan-African payments infrastructure provider designed to facilitate trade on the continent is piloting an African currency market platform to boost commerce across borders in the region, its chief executive said. The Pan-African Payments and Settlement System (PAPSS), backed by 15 central banks on the continent, expects to add the platform later this year to complement its payments infrastructure that it says is currently integrated with 150 commercial banks."
February 14, 2025
On the web
dLocal and Aza Finance Forge Strategic Partnership to Expand Footprint in Africa
dLocal
"dLocal and AZA Finance, a fintech company specializing in payments and foreign exchange in Africa, have entered into a strategic partnership that expands the service offering capabilities of both partners through mutual cross selling."
January 16, 2025
On the web
Mastercard Move and the BCP Group Join Forces to Enhance Cross-Border Payments [Africa]
Business Insider Africa
"In collaboration with Mastercard, the BCP Group will leverage Mastercard Move’s money movement capabilities to enhance cross-border payments for their corporate and individual clients. The collaboration aims to enable near instant, traceable, secure and cost-effective cross-border payments to and from the multiple markets where the BCP Group operates in Africa."
December 16, 2024
On the web
This Stealthy African Stablecoin Startup Already Processed Over $1B in Cross-border Payments
TechCrunch
"Juicyway, an African fintech that leverages stablecoin technology to power fast and cheap cross-border payments, is launching out of stealth after processing over $1 billion in transaction volume for thousands of African businesses over the last three years."
December 11, 2024
On the web
Reserve Bank to Open National Payments System to Fintechs
TechCentral
"The Reserve Bank has been working to add non-banks as players in South Africa’s national clearing and settlements system as part of a plan to drive financial inclusion to the unbanked and underbanked. Allowing non-banks into the clearance and settlement system will allow standalone fintechs as well as those run by retailers and mobile operators, for example, to facilitate payments between parties without necessarily having a traditional bank involved at all."
November 27, 2024
On the web
Tranglo Expands Cross-border Payments to Seven African Countries
Yahoo Finance
"Cross-border payments company Tranglo has further deepened its reach to seven African countries, aiming to enhance financial inclusion across the continent. This move supports payouts in Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Senegal, and Zambia."
November 22, 2024
On the web
SIIPS Report 2024: Charting Africa’s Progress in Inclusive Digital Payments
AfricaNenda
"As Africa continues its digital transformation, the SIIPS Report 2024—launched today in Accra in partnership with AfricaNenda, the World Bank, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)—highlights the extraordinary growth of Instant Payment Systems (IPS) across the continent and explores their impact on financial inclusion."
November 13, 2024
On the web
Reserve Bank’s Big Move to Go Cashless in South Africa
Business Tech
"BankservAfrica has announced that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) intends to acquire 50% of the clearing house as part of its move to boost cashless payments in the country...The SARB and other stakeholders, including the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa, have made a concerted effort to eliminate cash in South Africa and move to safer digital payment methods."
November 12, 2024
Top Post
FNB Launches First Instant Cross-Border Payment Solution in SADC
The Namibian
"First National Bank (FNB) has become the first financial institution in the country to introduce an enhanced cross-border payment solution. The bank will utilise BankservAfrica’s Transactions Cleared on an Immediate Basis (TCIB) solution. Through its implementation, the bank now enables near real-time payments, reducing the barriers to cross-border financial transactions, promoting regional trade and economic growth."
November 11, 2024
Top Post
Mastercard and Emirates NBD Partner to Empower a Virtual Future for B2B Travel Payments
Mastercard
"Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye) region and Mastercard have partnered to introduce the Emirates NBD Wholesale Travel Solution, an innovative virtual card based B2B payment product now available to travel agencies."
On the web
BankservAfrica Announces the SARB’s Intention to Acquire 50% of the Company
BankservAfrica
"BankservAfrica is pleased to announce a significant industry collaboration with the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), intended to transition the company into a national Payments Utility through a collaboration with commercial bank shareholders."
Over 30 Financial Institution in Southern Africa To Adopt BankservAfrica’s Cross – Border P2P Clearing System
BitKE
"Over 30 financial institutions from countries within the Common Monetary Area – such as South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Namibia – are set to adopt BankservAfrica’s instant cross-border payment system, according to Ruhling Herbst, the organization’s strategy and transformation officer. [Video]"