In a major technological leap for intra-African trade, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is now accessible via Leo, United Bank for Africa’s (UBA) artificial intelligence-powered chatbot.
This integration enables customers to make cross-border payments directly through digital platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, marking a new era of 24/7 real-time financial transactions across the continent.
PAPSS, developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), is designed to simplify and accelerate payments across African countries using local currencies. Its integration with Leo underscores a push toward more inclusive and accessible financial services, particularly in support of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Announcing the development at a press briefing, PAPSS CEO Mike Ogbalu III praised the partnership with UBA and described the move as a step toward bringing African businesses and individuals closer together through digital innovation. He explained that the collaboration transitions PAPSS from a traditional, counter-based model to a fully digital solution that operates beyond standard banking hours.
“This is about financial unity across Africa,” Ogbalu said. “With PAPSS now live on Leo, users can make secure cross-border payments any time—day or night—directly from chat platforms they already use.”
He further commended UBA for being one of the earliest supporters of the PAPSS initiative, having signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2022 and actively championed its rollout across its African network.
UBA’s Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba noted that integrating PAPSS with Leo enhances convenience for the bank’s customers by combining the power of AI with the speed of regional payment infrastructure. “Whether it’s on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or other Leo-enabled platforms, our customers can now carry out PAPSS transactions securely and seamlessly,” he said.
The launch positions UBA and PAPSS as key drivers of digital trade infrastructure in Africa, providing businesses and individuals with an easy-to-use, real-time tool for executing cross-border transactions as the continent moves toward deeper economic integration.
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