Johannesburg – The 6th PASA International Payments Conference (PIPC 2025) concluded after two days of dynamic debate, innovation, and shared commitment among more than 780 delegates and 70 local and international speakers all united by a common goal: to strengthen collaboration and shape the future of payments in South Africa and beyond.
Hosted by the Payments Association of South Africa (PASA), PIPC 2025 delivered thought-provoking insights on key issues facing the payments ecosystem, including upcoming changes to the National Payment System recently announced by the South African Reserve Bank.
Reflecting on the event, PASA CEO Ghita Erling said the conference demonstrated the sector’s readiness to work together for shared progress:
‘“PIPC 2025 has been a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when curiosity meets purpose, and when collaboration takes centre stage. Payment systems are critical to South Africa’s economic growth, and our collective responsibility is to ensure they work for every South African.”
Delegates explored themes ranging from the global payments revolution and fintech inclusion to regulatory reform, FATF greylisting impacts, cybersecurity, and the role of AI in payment integrity.
The agenda featured leading international experts – including Dr Leo Lipis (Lipis Advisors, Berlin), Andy White (AusPayNet, Australia), Dr Kimmo Soramäki (FNA, UK), Wiza Jalakasi (EBANX, Africa), and Dewald Nolte (Entersekt, USA) – who shared global perspectives on innovation, regulation, and cross-border cooperation.
Erling noted that the collaborative mindset at PIPC 2025 reflected the essence of what will move South Africa’s payments ecosystem forward:
“In an industry where competitors must cooperate to ensure the safe and seamless movement of money, the collaboration between regulators, banks, fintechs, and businesses has been both inspiring and necessary.“
Top 10 Key Outcomes from PIPC 2025:
- Collaboration is Essential – Banks, fintechs, and regulators must work together to combine scale, agility, and trust for a stronger payments ecosystem.
- Inclusive Digital Transformation – Digital payments must reach all South Africans, ensuring inclusion for underserved and cash-dependent communities.
- Transparency and Accountability – Transparency across payment platforms is vital for fair pricing, conduct, and market behaviour.
- Evolving Threat Landscape – With scams replacing traditional fraud, stronger consumer protection and cyber-resilience are essential.
- AI and Security – AI is reshaping payments; innovation must be matched by rigorous security to prevent new risks.
- Regulation as an Enabler – Policy frameworks must encourage innovation and competition – not create barriers.
- Trust through Delivery – Action and consistent implementation build public confidence, not promises.
- Customer-Centric Approach – The customer ultimately decides what succeeds in the market; innovation must serve real needs.
- SME Empowerment and Economic Growth – Real-time payments drive liquidity and growth for SMEs, strengthening the wider economy.
- Future-Focused Mindset – The industry must move beyond legacy systems, embracing co-creation and shared readiness for change.
A shared path forward
Erling concluded that the conference supports national efforts to drive digital transformation through partnership:
“The conversations we started here won’t stop at the conference doors. The national payments system is changing rapidly, and collaboration will determine how effectively we shape that change. Together, we can ensure that every South African can make a digital payment – anywhere, anytime.”
PASA’s role in enabling progress
As the payment system management body recognised by the South African Reserve Bank, PASA continues to support the resilience, interoperability, and security of South Africa’s payment system.