Access Bank, in a bid to promote instant and efficient cross-border payments within Africa, showcased its AccessAfrica platform at the PAPSS COWRY 2025 Forum, reinforcing its commitment to building a more connected regional economy.
The event brought together policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, and payment experts to explore pathways toward “Building an interoperable and sovereign African payment ecosystem for trade and economic growth.”
In alignment with the theme, discussions emphasised the importance of resilient, interoperable, and sovereign African payment infrastructure that empowers businesses, supports SMEs, and strengthens intra-African trade under the AfCFTA.
Designed to facilitate instant, secure, and efficient cross-border transactions in local African currencies, PAPSS reduces dependency on third-party currencies, enhances settlement efficiency, and promotes regional economic integration.
The bank, in a statement, noted that AccessAfrica enables fast, secure, and affordable payments across more than 20 African corridors.
During the forum, the Head of International Remittance & Payments for African Subsidiaries, Naco Bolote, and Unit Head of Remittances, Aminat Olatunji, actively contributed to conversations on the emerging settlement landscape and the future of continental financial integration.
“The progress made with PAPPS reinforces Access Bank’s commitment to real-time settlement and financial integration across Africa, and we remain dedicated to collaboration and innovation, ensuring Africans can move money quickly, reliably, and at scale.” said Bolote.
Bolote also highlighted that PAPPS unlocks instant, local-currency settlement, reducing FX reliance and transaction times; combined with AccessAfrica, allows faster, predictable, and cost-efficient transfers across 20+ African countries; is live in eight Access Bank markets, with further rollouts planned for 2026.
Access Bank commended PAPSS, Afreximbank, and the AfCFTA Secretariat for their leadership in advancing the infrastructure required for a more connected, sovereign, and prosperous African economy.
Nume Ekeghe
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