Ethiopia: Safaricom Partners with Health Ministry to Digitize Healthcare Payments
Safaricom M-PESA Ethiopia, in collaboration with other financial service providers, has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Health to introduce a secure and scalable digital payment system for the healthcare sector. This initiative, announced on March 5, aims to enhance financial inclusion, streamline medical payments, and improve service delivery across the country.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, officials highlighted that the collaboration involves key stakeholders, including the National Bank of Ethiopia, the Ministry of Finance, Ethiopia Health Insurance Services, and the UNDP’s Better Than Cash Alliance.
The partnership will integrate M-PESA’s digital payment solutions into health facilities, allowing for cashless transactions, automated insurance payments, and timely salary disbursements for Health Extension Workers. The pilot phase will roll out in selected healthcare facilities, alongside financial literacy training for healthcare workers and beneficiaries.
African payments system PAPSS plans to launch FX market platform this year
A pan-African payments infrastructure provider designed to facilitate trade on the continent is piloting an African currency market platform to boost commerce across borders in the region, its chief executive said.
The Pan-African Payments and Settlement System (PAPSS), backed by 15 central banks on the continent, expects to add the platform later this year to complement its payments infrastructure that it says is currently integrated with 150 commercial banks.
“The rates will be market driven, and our system is able to do a matching based on the rates offered by the different participants in our ecosystem,” Mike Ogbalu, the CEO of PAPSS, told Reuters in an interview from Cairo.
Selcom Pesa: Transforming transactional experience with lower fees than any other service provider
The Bank did not just launch a transactional platform, but rather introduced a low-income, cost-efficient, secure and seamless fintech product to the market to redefine the changing financial landscape.
38 African fintech start-ups raise $119m in one month
Thirty-eight startups in Africa raised about $119 million, in February, through debts, equity and grants.
This was revealed by Africa: The Big Deal, which tracks funding of $100,000 and above.
It noted that the number of over $100, 000 deals announced by the 38 firms is lower than the average of the previous twelve months, and the previous months of February since 2021. It, however, said despite raising $119 million in February, the startups are still on track to have a great year.
It said the amount raised in 2025 so far ($408 million) is higher than the amount raised in the same period last year ($302 million) and just above 2021 numbers ($400 million).
Read more: https://guardian.ng/technology/38-african-fintech-start-ups-raise-119m-in-one-month/
UK Government confirms plans to scrap Payment Systems Regulator
The PSR – which looks after payment systems like Faster Payments and the major card schemes – will mainly be consolidated into the Financial Conduct Authority, making it easier for firms to deal with one port of call.
The PSR is a fully independent subsidiary of the FCA, but shares some operational services and office space.
Under the plans, the PSR will continue to have access to its statutory powers until legislation is passed by Parliament to enact these chan
Jaywan-Mastercard Cards Set to Transform UAE’s Payment Landscape
Al Etihad Payments (AEP), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), which operates the UAE’s national card switch (UAESWITCH) and manages domestic card scheme “Jaywan”, and Mastercard have announced a strategic collaboration to launch “Jaywan – Mastercard” co-badged debit and prepaid cards in the UAE.
Jaywan-Mastercard debit and prepaid cards will enable cardholders to carry out secure, simpler, smarter and more accessible payment transactions, including e-commerce transactions, setting a new benchmark in the UAE’s payment landscape by combining innovative products and value-added services.
Cash usage in Asia sinks; More firms embrace digital payments
The volume of cash transactions in Asia is falling to new lows driven by several factors, including the rise of next-gen technologies and smartphone adoption levels.
According to Worldpay’s report, physical money in Asia is expected to shrink by nearly 50% over a three-year period. By 2027, the company says physical cash will only account for 14% of total transactions, marking a new low for the offering that once held sway.
While the trend appears global, Asia is expected to record the fastest cash decline levels. French consultancy firm Capgemini projects that the Asia-Pacific (APAC) will record 1.46 trillion cashless transactions per year, dwarfing the entire North American market by a country mile.
Read more: https://coingeek.com/cash-usage-in-asia-sinks-more-firms-embrace-digital-payments/
