Many of Africa’s working adults still lack access to formal financial accounts to safely store their income. Women running microbusinesses, farmers, community health workers, and even government employees rely on cash, leaving their earnings exposed to theft and limiting access to credit, insurance, and opportunities to grow businesses. Instant digital payments can change this by enabling fast, low-cost transactions that work across providers and sectors, ensuring anyone can pay anyone else a cornerstone of financial inclusion and empowerment.

In 2025, AfricaNenda Foundation advanced inclusive instant payments across the continent through seven IIPS projects in Cabo Verde, Guinea, Liberia, Mauritania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and CEMAC, alongside two major IPS launches in Rwanda and Liberia. The organization also released the fourth State of Inclusive Instant Payment Systems in Africa report, partnered with the African Union Commission to promote cross-border payment harmonization, participated in 35 learning and advocacy events, and engaged over 11,000 online viewers at the SIIPS 2025 launch.

Looking ahead to 2026, AfricaNenda will accelerate its efforts to launch more inclusive instant payment systems across additional countries while continuing to advance benchmarking, knowledge sharing, and the replication of best practices to reduce time-to-market.