Instant payments have rapidly become the bedrock of Africa’s evolving financial landscape, bridging gaps in financial inclusion and catalysing economic growth across the continent.
With mobile money platforms, real-time payment systems, and fintech innovations at the forefront, cryptocurrency is now taking center stage in reshaping the future of transactions.
Instant payments, also known as real-time payments, refer to money transfers that are processed and settled within seconds, 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
Unlike traditional banking transfers, which can take hours or even days, instant payments offer speed, transparency, and convenience.
Across Africa, this innovation is powered by both public and private sector players, creating infrastructure that enables individuals and businesses to send and receive funds instantly using mobile phones, apps, or USSD codes.
In Nigeria, the Central Bank-backed NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) system allows for seamless transfers across banks and fintech platforms.
According to NIBSS, electronic payment transactions soared to an all-time high of N1.08 quadrillion in 2024, up from N600 trillion in 2023.
Similarly, South Africa operates a real-time payment framework under Real-Time Clearing (RTC) via BankservAfrica.
In East Africa, platforms such as M-Pesa, Airtel Money, and Tigo Pesa have long led the mobile money revolution.
Regionally, Pan-African platforms like PAPSS (Pan-African Payment and Settlement System), spearheaded by Afreximbank, are enabling cross-border instant transactions in local currencies.
While traditional systems lay the groundwork, blockchain technology is fast-tracking Africa’s digital payment revolution.
Digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum are also becoming popular, many young Africans are choosing cryptocurrencies for sending money, saving, and shopping.
Regulatory uncertainty has long hampered crypto growth. However, a major breakthrough came on March 29, 2025, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the Investments and Securities Act 2024 into law.
The Act officially recognises digital assets and cryptocurrencies as securities, bringing them under the purview of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
At the forefront of this crypto-driven shift is Zabira Digital Services Ltd, a Nigerian fintech powerhouse redefining how Africans engage with digital finance.
Founded in 2019 by CEO Isaac John, the platform offers a comprehensive suite of financial services from crypto trading and gift card exchanges to bill payments and fiat transactions—all within a user-friendly mobile app.
Zabira’s encrypted wallet gives users full control over their assets, empowering them with private keys and multi-layered security.
Users can buy, sell, and hold digital assets like USDT and Ethereum, pay for services directly from their crypto balances, or convert gift cards to cash without switching platforms.
What sets Zabira apart is its focus on simplicity and transparency. The platform avoids unnecessary complexities, offering competitive rates and low fees while providing detailed logs for every transaction.
To get started using Zabira, users can download the app via Android, and iOS. Signing up is fast and easy—just create an account, verify your identity, and you’re ready to explore a world of instant, secure, and borderless financial services all in one app.
*Chinwe Taiwo, is a senior fintech reporter in Lagos
