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The Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) has officially launched its first-ever National Instant Payment System (NIPS), three years after its initial proposal. Developed in collaboration with the AfricaNenda Foundation, an organization advocating for instant payments, this initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of the country’s financial system and bridge existing payment gaps.
NIPS is designed to enable instant transactions, reducing delays, lowering costs, and promoting financial inclusion for over six million adult citizens who have limited access to formal banking services. Currently, mobile network operators MTN and Zain dominate digital payments in South Sudan due to the absence of a domestic or regional instant payment system.
According to BoSS Governor Johnny Ohisa Damian, NIPS will integrate with existing financial infrastructures, including the Automated Clearing House (ACH), Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS), and instant fund transfers (IFT). Speaking at the launch event, Damian highlighted the system’s potential to revolutionize financial transactions in the country.
“The launch of NIPS represents a monumental step toward financial and socio-economic inclusion in South Sudan,” he stated.
This development aligns with broader regional financial modernization efforts, particularly the East African Community’s (EAC) goal of establishing instant retail payment systems, as outlined in its 2024 master plan. Currently, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo remain the only EAC member states without an instant payment platform.
The initiative is also part of a wider push for financial integration across East Africa, supported by institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank, and the Gates Foundation. Nations like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda have already linked their RTGS systems through the East African Payments System (EAPS).
For South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, this move is about more than just technological advancement. It is a crucial step toward fostering economic stability and growth in a country still recovering from years of conflict. By modernizing its financial infrastructure, the government aims to better support businesses, enhance public revenue collection, and drive economic development. However, the long-term success of NIPS will depend on effective implementation, public trust, and sustained institutional support to ensure its benefits reach all South Sudanese.
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