Central bankers, fintech leaders, journalists and financial experts have converged on Ezulwini, Eswatini, for the launch of the State of Inclusive Instant Payment Systems (SIIPS) 2025 report.
The report, produced by the AfricaNenda Foundation in partnership with the Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE), the World Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), will be unveiled on Thursday.
The SIIPS report highlights how instant payment systems are shaping financial inclusion, interoperability and innovation across Africa. It offers data and analysis to guide policymakers, regulators and industry leaders in building more inclusive payment ecosystems.
Speaking at a media workshop on Tuesday, AfricaNenda’s Deputy CEO, Sabine Mensah, said instant payment systems continue to expand across the continent, with more countries launching new national platforms.
She said the systems are also becoming more accessible and affordable.
“SIIPS 2025 demonstrates that Africa’s momentum toward inclusive instant payments is real and accelerating. Every new system that comes online, and every improvement to an existing one, brings us closer to a continent where affordable, seamless payments are accessible to everyone, regardless of geography or income,” Ms Mensah said.
PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the 2024 edition of SIIPS showed that over 400 million Africans remain excluded from formal payment systems.
Ms Mensah acknowledged the gaps but said the new report also calls for renewed action to close them.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Governor of the Central Bank of Eswatini, Phil Mnisi, said the country hopes to draw lessons from other markets as it continues to develop its national payment switch.
“We are honoured to host the launch of SIIPS 2025 in Eswatini, a country that is actively advancing digital inclusion and interoperability. Partnerships like this with AfricaNenda are key to unlocking the potential of instant payments to drive financial inclusion and economic transformation across Africa.
“The insights from SIIPS will help Eswatini chart a more inclusive digital future,” he said.
This year’s report is expected to highlight major developments, including the first mature inclusive instant payment system on the continent and new national platforms that are deepening digital access and innovation.
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Mastercard is sponsoring this year’s launch. Helen Stoner, International Payments Leader at Mastercard, said the company is committed to advancing inclusive digital payments.
“Mastercard is proud to sponsor SIIPS 2025, advancing inclusive instant payments that unlock opportunity, drive innovation and bring underserved communities into the digital economy,” she said.
The SIIPS 2025 launch will run from 11 to 14 November and will feature a media workshop, high-level discussions and the official launch of the report.
