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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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