Africa’s financial leaders, innovators and policymakers converged in Lagos from 2nd to 3rd December 2025 for the inaugural PAPSS COWRY—Conference on Worldwide and Regional Payment—an event that marked a major milestone in the continent’s quest to build a sovereign and interoperable payment ecosystem.
The historic gathering, held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, was organised by the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) in partnership with Afreximbank, the African Union and the AfCFTA Secretariat. It formed part of the maiden PAPSS Participants Forum themed “Building an Interoperable and Sovereign African Payment Ecosystem for Trade and Economic Growth.”
The two-day conference brought together decision-makers from central banks, commercial banks, fintech operators, payment service providers and regional economic institutions to examine the transformative power of PAPSS in boosting intra-African trade and accelerating the continent’s economic integration.
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Modelled after the dynamism of global financial summits but deeply rooted in African heritage, PAPSS COWRY has been positioned as the continent’s flagship leadership forum on payments—Africa’s own dedicated stage for innovation, dialogue and collaboration in financial technology.
Throughout the event, participants explored how PAPSS can redefine cross-border payments by enabling instant, secure and affordable transactions in local currencies. Panel sessions, break-out discussions and networking engagements highlighted the system’s potential to eliminate third-party settlement barriers, cut transaction costs and unlock the full benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Speakers emphasised that PAPSS is more than a payment platform—it is a strategic pillar for Africa’s economic sovereignty. Stakeholders agreed that the initiative offers a pathway to a unified financial market that can strengthen trade efficiency, support business expansion and accelerate regional integration.
The conference also served as a celebration of African ingenuity. Delegates were encouraged to take collective ownership of PAPSS as a system “built for Africa, by Africa, for the world,” embodying the continent’s vision for a modern, self-sustaining and globally competitive payment infrastructure.
