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This blog is part of a series documenting our program’s journey to accelerate the development of inclusive payments systems for universal access to financial services in Africa. #IAmAfricaNenda

From Rail to Real Impact: A New White Paper on Scaling Instant Payments in Africa

09 March 2026
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Sabine F. Mensah (AfricaNenda Foundation), Habib Attia (Arab Monetary Fund), Juliet Maina (Better than Cash Alliance), Deon Woods Bell (Gates Foundation), David Porteous (Integral), Holti Banka (World Bank)

Instant (also known as Fast, Real-Time, or Immediate) Payment Systems (IPS) are no longer an experiment on the margins of financial infrastructure. Across Africa, they are fast becoming core national assets—foundational digital public infrastructure with the potential to accelerate financial inclusion, deepen competition, and support economic growth.

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25 October 2022 / Sabine Mensah, Deputy CEO AfricaNenda
New approaches are needed for instant payment systems to reach their potential in Africa
On October 25, 2022, AfricaNenda launched State of the Instant and Inclusive Payment Systems (SIIPS) 2022 report, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the World Bank.
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6 October 2022 / Sabine Mensah, Deputy CEO, AfricaNenda
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Fast, accessible, and more inclusive digital payments are booming across Africa. Efficient digital payments are more convenient for both the payer and the payee. They also have the potential to strengthen capital markets through a larger store of value in transaction accounts. Governments are increasingly focusing on supporting the roll-out of digital payments as a tool for financial inclusion.