The Future of Payments and Remittances: Innovations, Real-Time Payments, and Global Financial Inclusion | IPR Global 2024

The payments and remittance industry stands on the brink of remarkable transformation, driven by innovative technologies, evolving consumer expectations, and a pursuit of frictionless digital transactions. This evolution raises essential questions about global economic inclusivity and whether security and compliance frameworks can keep pace with rapid advancements.

Leading voices in the industry share insights into the trends shaping this landscape, focusing on real-time payments, digital wallets, and groundbreaking technologies that are redefining global remittance.

Panellists:

Michael Bermingham, Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, Nium

Anastasia Serikova, VP, Head of Revenue and Growth, Visa Direct at Visa

Kunal Choudhary, Money Transfers Strategy Lead, Worldpay

Mitchell Fordham, Chief Revenue Officer & Co-founder, eSIM Go

Moderator:

Oussama Kseibati, Business Development Officer, RemitONE

Key Trends Shaping the Payments and Remittance Landscape

Michael emphasised the rise of real-time payments and the profound impact of payment platforms like Pix in Brazil and UPI in India. He explained that real-time payments are no longer optional for financial institutions or payment service providers but are becoming essential for driving global business growth. Organisations must not only build connections to these networks but also invest in specialised teams to navigate and harness these systems effectively. Nium has dedicated teams to establish these vital connections, which, in turn, enable seamless cross-border payments.

Remittances are projected to continue rising, potentially reaching $800 billion by 2024, Anastasia shared. Digital-first providers are surpassing traditional channels, capturing an increasingly large portion of this growing market. This shift is driven by the demand for digital transactions and the push to simplify the payment ecosystem. Visa Direct is aiming to reduce intermediaries in the transaction process, enabling faster foreign exchange (FX) transactions, greater transparency, and ultimately, quicker payments—a key objective for G20 countries. She emphasised that promoting digital literacy is vital, empowering consumers to confidently navigate these streamlined digital systems.

A unique trend Oussama pointed out among Money Transfer Operators (MTOs) is the shift beyond traditional remittances, with services designed to deepen client engagement and retention. Now, instead of simply sending funds, customers can choose options like paying for subscription services (think Netflix) or providing vouchers for specific goods—a particularly popular option in markets like Africa, where recipients can redeem vouchers at designated locations. This shift, highlights the increasing personalisation of remittance services, giving recipients more versatile and meaningful ways to benefit from transfers beyond standard monetary transactions.

Industry Growth and Data Highlights

Some eye-opening stats shared by Kunal illustrate the rapid rise and evolution of payments and remittances, largely driven by digital transformation. According to Worldpay projections, global transaction volumes are set to soar, reaching an astounding $25 trillion by 2027—a growth trajectory powered by the steady shift toward digital and mobile-first solutions.

For instance, in 2023, digital wallets were used for half of all e-commerce transactions, with 30% of being point-of-sale (POS) transactions. It’s not just about online shopping; these trends are equally transformative in the remittance market, which is expected to hit $1 trillion in value soon, driven by technology and mobile innovation.

One standout example is Brazil’s Pix network, a real-time, low-cost account-to-account payment system that serves 160 million people, allowing for immediate transfers without hefty fees—an essential service for people who need to maximise the value of their transactions. According to a Worldpay’s recent Payments Performance Report, 88% of respondents expressed interest in adopting a similar system to Pix, signalling a broad appeal for efficient, direct payment solutions.

Mobile wallets are particularly significant for financial inclusion. In regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, where remittances play a critical economic role, mobile wallet usage has been growing at an impressive 20% annually. This growth, Kunal explained, stems from the accessibility, affordability, and transparency of mobile wallets, which provide a seamless option for people without traditional banking services to manage their finances and participate in the digital economy.

Innovative Technologies Revolutionising the Sector

eSIMs—short for embedded SIMs—are a digital alternative to traditional SIM cards, offering seamless, flexible mobile connectivity without the need for a physical SIM swap. While they’ve become especially popular in the travel space, eSIMs are also making waves in the remittance industry. Mitchell expressed how this technology is a game-changer for the unbanked and digitally underserved populations, enabling secure mobile access to financial services, regardless of physical location or device. EsimGO is empowering financial businesses to offer fully digital services to consumers, which not only boosts transaction volumes but also gives companies a competitive edge. As an example, esimGO’s partnerships with Western Union and various neobanks help create resilient, inclusive financial solutions that are built on accessible mobile technology.

Anastasia also delved into several recent innovations from Visa that highlight the evolving landscape of global payments. One standout feature allows users to send money internationally using just a mobile phone number—an ideal solution for those who prefer not to share sensitive account details, providing an added layer of security and peace of mind. Another innovation is Visa’s unified API for multi-currency payments, known as “cash pulling.” This allows customers to convert and hold multiple currencies, manage FX rates, and access a wide range of payout options—all through a single, streamlined API. Whether it’s bank accounts or digital wallets, this unified approach creates a smooth, predictable cross-border experience for both businesses and consumers.

Further enhancing the digital wallet ecosystem, Visa Direct has partnered with Thunes and TerraPay to expand Visa Direct’s reach, adding over 1.5 billion new digital wallet endpoints, connecting even more users to the financial system.

What next?

At RemitONE, our commitment is to provide you with cutting-edge technology, compliance solutions, an expansive network, and expert guidance to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of remittances. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your business, we’ve got you covered.

Want to see how RemitONE can elevate your business? Book a free consultation to discover how we can supercharge your business

We’re Attending CrossTech World 2024 | 19-21 November 2024

We’re excited to announce that the RemitONE team will be heading to Miami, USA, for the upcoming CrossTech World 2024 event. This is an incredible opportunity for us to connect with potential partners and reconnect with our valued clients who have supported and grown with us along the way.

If you’re attending CrossTech, we’d love to meet up and explore how RemitONE’s cutting-edge software and tools could elevate your business. Whether you’re interested in expanding into new markets through our extensive network of banks, telecoms, and money transfer operators, or keen on participating in our upcoming events—such as those focused on emerging opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Let’s make the most of this event together.

To schedule a meeting with the RemitONE team in advance, simply reach out to us at sales@remitone.com.

We’re looking forward to connecting with industry peers and exploring new avenues for meaningful collaboration.

IPR Global 2024 Highlights: Industry Leaders Unite to Shape the Future of Cross-Border Payments

Last month, we hosted our annual Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR) Global 2024 event, where top industry leaders and companies gathered across the cross-border payments industry to network, exchange ideas, and share their expertise. Known for fostering innovation and collaboration, IPR Global connected money transfer operators, banks, industry experts, and more to explore the latest trends and challenges to drive and innovate the industry.

Global Representation and Diversity

IPR Global was even bigger this year, with over 280 attendees across 20+ regions. Our dynamic speaker lineups truly showcased our commitment to diversity, bringing together representatives from around the world, which sparked engaging discussions and offered fresh perspectives on global financial challenges.

The two-day conference was packed with a dynamic mix of keynote speeches, networking opportunities, and panel discussions. Attendees gained valuable insights into emerging technologies, regulatory landscapes, and market trends shaping the future of cross-border payments.

Some key takeaways included:

How blockchain and cryptocurrencies are making transfers faster and more cost-effective
Strategies for enhancing financial inclusion in underserved markets
How to leverage AI for fraud prevention and compliance

The event was wrapped up with our prestigious IPR Awards ceremony, where we acknowledged and celebrated the outstanding achievements in innovation, customer service, and social impact across the sector.

Attendee Experience

“As a 40-year industry executive in the International Payments space I found IPR to be a vital and valuable event for remittance providers around the world. The content was spot on around industry insight, trends, challenges, and opportunities. Ding’s involvement at IPR was solidified by the commitment from money transfer operators around the world that our offering is essential to support their revenue growth and product expansion capabilities.” – Bob Dowd, Senior VP, Ding

“It’s the collaborative environment and the open forum where we can all share ideas that truly makes IPR a great experience and a fantastic event to be a part of.” – Holly Crowell, Financial Services Partnership Manager, Worldpay

Sponsor Support

IPR Global 2024 was made possible by the industry-leading sponsors, including Visa Direct, Worldpay, Nium, Vyne, and many more. Their contributions not only elevated the event experience but also demonstrated the collaborative spirit driving that is propelling the industry forward.

Looking Ahead: IPR Global 2025

Building on this year’s success, RemitONE is thrilled to announce that IPR 2025 will be expanding to the rapidly growing region of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. IPR Global, Riyadh will offer even greater opportunities for industry professionals to connect, grow, and collaboratively shape the future of cross-border payments like never before.

For more information about IPR Global, Riyadh 2025 or to express interest in attending, sponsoring, or speaking, please contact: sales@remitone.com

Join us as we continue to drive innovation and collaboration in the world of international payments and remittances.

RemitONE and Stanbic Bank Partner to Accelerate Cross-Border Payments across Africa

September 2024: RemitONE, a global leader in cross-border payment technology solutions, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Stanbic Bank, one of Ghana’s largest banks and most prominent financial institutions. This collaboration will leverage RemitONE’s cutting-edge payment infrastructure to enhance Stanbic Bank’s cross-border payment services, empowering customers across Africa.

In response to the growing demand for seamless and affordable cross-border payments, Stanbic Bank has prioritised enhancing its money transfer services as part of its broader business expansion strategy. By partnering with RemitONE, Stanbic Bank aims to modernise its money transfer offerings and provide its customers with a more accessible, secure, and efficient money transfer experience.

By integrating RemitONE’s state-of-the-art digital payment technology into its online and mobile banking platforms, Stanbic Bank will offer customers an unparalleled money transfer experience – starting with transfers in Ghana and Nigeria, and soon extending to other Western, Eastern and Southern African countries.

The partnership between RemitONE and Stanbic Bank is expected to deliver substantial benefits to both individual customers and the broader financial ecosystem in Africa. Customers can look forward to a streamlined and cost-effective cross-border payment experience, while the collaboration will also contribute to the overall growth and development of the African remittance market.

About RemitONE
RemitONE is the leading provider of money transfer software solutions for banks, telcos, and money transfer operators (MTOs) worldwide. Organisations of all sizes use the RemitONE platforms to run their money transfer operations with ease and efficiency by reaching out to their customers via multiple channels including agent, online and mobile.

For more information on RemitONE, please email sales@remitone.com.

Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR) Global 2024 Award Winners!

Earlier in the month, we gathered the top global companies in the Remittance and Payments space in our annual IPR Global 2024 event. On day two, we hosted our award ceremony to honour the game-changers and trailblazers who are pushing the industry forward in exciting new ways.

The RemitONE team is excited to unveil the winners who took home the trophy, along with the honourable mentions — those who came close and deserve recognition for their impressive efforts:

Company of the Year 2024

Winner: Flutterwave

Honourable mention: Jamuna Bank PLC. Bangladesh

Social Impact Award 2024

Winner: Ding

Honourable mention: United Bank Limited

Exceptional Customer Experience Award 2024

Winner: Cauridor

Honourable mention: Neo Money Transfer

Start-up of the Year Award 2024

Winner: Sikoia

Honourable mention: WeWire

Innovation Award 2024

Winner: Uniteller Financial Services

Honourable mention: Tiketi Rafiki

All entries were thoroughly evaluated by our esteemed judges comprised of global senior experts in the payments and remittance industry:

Leon Isaacs, CEO & Founder, DMA Global
Kathryn Tomasofsky, Executive Director, MSBA
Osama Al Rahma, Advisor, Board of Foreign Exchange & Remittance Group (FERG)
Veronica Studsgaard, Founder & Chairman, IAMTN

After the initial assessment, the award finalists were unveiled in August 2024. This was followed by the second stage, during which the judging panel reviewed all the finalist entries and selected the winners in each category through an anonymous scoring method.

From left to right pictured: (Top left) Alpha Diallo, Marta Pillon and Rob Ayers, (Top middle) Lindsay Lehr, Bob Dowd and Olivia Biviano, (Top right) Alberta Guerra and Lindsay Lehr, (Bottom left) Leon Isaacs, Sid Gautam, Shikesha Panton, Noel Ozoemena and Sadat Choudhury, (Bottom right) Bob Dowd, Olivia Biviano, Alpha Diallo, Marta Pillon, Albert Guerra, Noel Ozoemena and Shikesha Panton.

About Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR)

In 2018, RemitONE launched Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR) to bring together various industry supply chain members to drive positive change. Through events and research reports, IPR unites senior business leaders dedicated to enhancing the industry, enabling them to think big, share best practices, engage, learn, discover, create opportunities and shape change. With the power of collective insight, we can push innovation and industry growth boundaries and benefit from better outcomes.

The IPR events are organised throughout the year to help industry stakeholders, visionaries and business leaders make informed decisions that ultimately benefit the consumers.

About RemitONE

RemitONE is the leading provider of end-to-end money transfer solutions for banks, money transfer operators (MTOs) and fintech start-ups worldwide. Our award-winning money transfer, compliance software products and consulting services – including MSB licensing, bank account provisioning and connections to our clients and partners – are tailored for the global money transfer market.

Organisations of all sizes use our platforms to run their remittance operations with ease and efficiency by reaching out to their customers via multiple channels, including agent, online and mobile.

For more information, or to access all the photos from the IPR Awards ceremony, please contact marketing@remitone.com

Bank of Ceylon (UK) Limited and RemitONE Join Forces to Revolutionise UK-Sri Lanka Cross-Border Payments

September 2024: Bank of Ceylon (UK) Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Bank of Ceylon Sri Lanka has prudently partnered with RemitONE, a global leader in cross-border payment technology solutions. This strategic alliance is expected to significantly improve Bank of Ceylon’s competitiveness in the UK-Sri Lanka corridor, heralding a new era in their 80-year history. The collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the bank’s ongoing efforts to digitalise its services and meet the evolving needs of its international customer base. The collaboration is particularly momentous as the bank approaches its 75th anniversary on 1st October 2024, marking a significant milestone in its longstanding legacy.

The partnership addresses Bank of Ceylon’s pressing need for an enhanced online presence and expanded customer reach. By adopting RemitONE’s cross-border payment software, the bank is set to advance its technological capabilities and offer a more streamlined, user-friendly service to its loyal customers.

For RemitONE, this collaboration represents a strategic expansion into the South Asian market, reinforcing its position as an innovator in cross-border payment solutions. The partnership underscores both entities’ commitment to embracing digital transformation in the rapidly evolving financial services sector and helping facilitate money transfers for customers at affordable rates.

As international cross-border payments continue to play a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s economy, this partnership is set to deliver substantial benefits to both individual customers and the broader financial ecosystem. Soon, Bank of Ceylon customers can look forward to a more accessible, secure, and seamless money transfer experience.

About RemitONE

RemitONE is the leading provider of money transfer software solutions for banks, telcos, and money transfer operators (MTOs) worldwide. Organisations of all sizes use the RemitONE platforms to run their money transfer operations with ease and efficiency by reaching out to their customers via multiple channels including agent, online and mobile.

For more information on RemitONE, please email sales@remitone.com.

Innovation in Payments and Remittances (IPR) Global 2024 Awards | Finalists Announced!

We are thrilled to announce our finalists for this year’s IPR Awards. The IPR Awards is a prestigious event celebrating the exceptional achievements of the money transfer and payments community’s best and brightest.

This year, we introduced five unique award categories including:

Innovation Award
Exceptional Customer Experience Award
Company of the Year
Social Impact Award
Start-Up of the Year

IPR Award Ceremony

Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the IPR Global 2024 Awards Ceremony in London on Tuesday, 17th September! Join us as we celebrate excellence in our industry with the much-anticipated announcement of our prestigious award winners.

Enjoy a vibrant standing reception with delightful drinks, delectable canapés, and the chance to connect with top professionals in the field. This is your moment to connect with industry leaders and be part of a night that promises excitement, recognition, and inspiration.

Don’t miss out on this special opportunity—secure your ticket before they’re gone: https://global2024.ipr-events.com/register

Congratulations to all the shortlisted companies

Innovation Award

Tiketi Rafiki
UniTeller Financial Services
LASCO Financial Services Limited
Neo Money Transfer
eSIM Go
Jaudi (Transfapay)

Exceptional Customer Experience Award

Relianz Forex Limited
Ebixcash World Money Limited
Cauridor
Neo Money Transfer

Company of the Year

SUNRATE
JAMUNA BANK PLC, Bangladesh
Flutterwave
Remit Choice

Social Impact Award

Xpress Payment Solutions Limited
SIAO Partners
Ding
SolutionsAe, Inc
United Bank Limited

Start-Up of the Year

WeWire
Sikoia

Congratulations once again to all the finalists! We look forward to seeing you at the IPR event, where we’ll be announcing the winners.

If you haven’t already, register here to secure your spot: https://global2024.ipr-events.com/register

Flutterwave: Simplifying Cross-Border Settlement for Multinationals in Africa

This article is brought to you in partnership with Flutterwave, written by Sid Gautam, SVP–Enterprise at Flutterwave.

Having trouble transferring money for your business from Africa across borders? You’re not alone. International business transactions can seem like an overwhelming task due to the hidden fees and complications that are frequently involved with cross-border settlements. No more worries, Flutterwave provides an easy and cost-effective answer to your international settlement needs.

Recently named Fast Company’s Most Innovative Company in Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Flutterwave stands out as Africa’s leading payments technology company, providing an efficient and transparent cross-border payment solution. The company has established a solid reputation with over 630 million transactions worth more than $31 billion in total payment volume, and 20 million+ API calls per day.

Seamless Onboarding Processes

On the eight-year journey of simplifying payments for multinationals in Africa and beyond, Flutterwave has learned and we have adapted our onboarding processes to be straightforward with 24/7 support always available throughout the process. Our Know Your Business (KYB) process is enhanced to get you set up quickly and efficiently. This follows with other important mechanisms needed to ensure your operations are live and running in no time within stipulated regulatory requirements.

Extensive Reach and Settlement Expertise

Leveraging an extensive payment infrastructure network spanning over 30 African countries with a presence in the UK, US, and EU, Flutterwave is the cross-border payment partner of choice in Africa. Our settlement solution facilitates seamless payment operations for multinationals across Africa and African businesses growing globally.

Currently, we serve merchants across several industries: payments, hospitality, ride-hailing, aviation, gaming, logistics, and digital infrastructure to mention a few. With support for multiple currencies as well as local and international payment methods such as mobile money, bank transfers, cards, and Google Pay, your larger enterprise will be in the capable hands of our cross-border payment solutions facilitating fast, transparent, and cost-effective payment solutions.

Regulatory Compliance and Maximum Security

At Flutterwave, operation excellence and minimizing counterparty risk are our top priorities. Strict adherence to regulatory compliance through owned licenses and a network of partners across several countries within and outside Africa means cross-border transactions are settled within relevant payment policies and regulations. To ensure maximum security for merchants’ data and funds, we have risk and compliance systems and teams across several countries carrying out extensive compliance checks to mitigate anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) risks.

We also invest heavily in payment infrastructure security such as maintaining the highest PCI-DSS & ISO 27001 certifications, in line with global best practices. This ensures that whether managing B2B first-party treasury flows or third-party supplier payouts, Flutterwave’s cross-border payments adapt to specific business needs legally and securely.

In Conclusion: with Flutterwave, enterprises can streamline their cross-border settlements, ensuring speed, transparency, and cost-effectiveness. Join global merchants such as Uber, Worldpay, Piggyvest, Bamboo, Air Peace, Microsoft, and Flywire running their cross-border settlement efficiently and securely from Africa to the world and vice versa. Let’s talk!

Revolutionising Money Transfers: 4 Key Trends Shaping the Future

This article is brought to you in partnership with Worldpay, written by Kunal Choudhary, Money Transfers Strategy Lead at Worldpay.

The landscape of international money transfers is going through a shift, driven by evolving consumer expectations and technological advancements. For money service businesses (MSBs), staying ahead of these changes could be key to success.

Let’s explore these trends and how Worldpay could help businesses navigate this transformation.

The need for speed

In today’s hyper-connected world, consumers need convenience, speed and security when it comes to moving their money. A recent study revealed that over three-quarters of consumers (77%) now expect instant payments¹. Money transfers are often time sensitive, so long waits for funds to clear may mean switching to an alternative provider. This shift in expectations is compelling MSBs to revamp their infrastructure to facilitate fast transfers while adhering to complex international regulations.

As a leading payment processor², we could help you to provide the quick, secure, and cost-effective money transfers your consumers are looking for. By incorporating our decades of expertise and authentication solutions, you can expand your reach and offer faster transfers around the world.

Digital wallets on the rise

Industry projections suggest that by 2027, digital wallets are projected to account for almost half ($25 trillion) of global transaction value³. This surge is fuelled not only by the ease of paying with just one tap, but also by the built-in two-factor authentication and tokenisation, this payment method offers.

One in five financial services customers would switch platforms if their preferred payment method was unavailable⁴. That’s why it’s important to incorporate secure and flexible options that meet those needs and help with enhancing loyalty. Worldpay’s solutions could facilitate direct integration between MSB platforms and popular wallet apps, simplifying orchestration and compliance while enabling a dynamic user experience.

The Personalisation Paradigm

Today’s consumers are increasingly looking for tailored experiences that reflect their individual needs and preferences³. One-size-fits-all approaches are no longer sufficient.

To keep pace with consumers, MSBs might look into innovative technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) as a route to personalisation. AI could empower merchants to understand and predict customer needs better, offer customised solutions, and of course, automate. Worldpay is harnessing AI and machine learning together with extensive transaction and biometric data to help you make intelligent decisions in real-time.

The Fraud Prevention Imperative

With the volume of digital transactions rising⁵, the risk of fraud is also becoming a major concern⁶. Ensuring a safe environment for online money transfers is becoming a top priority for maintaining customer trust and compliance with regulations.

Worldpay’s fraud solutions use rich data from 52bn annual transactions to help detect and predict fraudulent activity to help protect consumers.

Embracing the Future

The money transfer industry stands at a crossroads, with emerging technologies and shifting consumer preferences reshaping the landscape. MSBs that can successfully navigate these trends – offering rapid transfers, embracing digital wallets, personalising experiences, and fortifying fraud protection – might be best positioned to thrive in this dynamic market.

Collaborating with an experienced payment provider could be a game-changer for MSBs looking to stay competitive. By tapping into advanced solutions and deep industry expertise, businesses can accelerate their transformation and deliver the smooth, secure, and personalised experiences that modern consumers expect.

To chat to one of Worldpay’s experts today, please visit https://www.worldpay.com

Sources:

Meet Worldpay at IPR Global 2024

Meet Platinum sponsors, Worldpay at IPR Global this September. Don’t miss out on this unmatched opportunity to connect with their team.

Get your tickets today, spaces are limited: https://global2024.ipr-events.com/

Empower Your Bank with RemitONE’s Cutting-Edge White Label Mobile App

The banking landscape is evolving faster than ever, and so are your customers’ needs. To meet their demands, you need a mobile app that not only keeps pace with these changes but also sets the standard for innovation and customisation.

With RemitONE’s white label mobile app, your bank can quickly launch a customised money transfer app on both iOS and Android platforms with minimal hassle.

Key Benefits:

Increase Revenue: Convert non-account holders into loyal customers and increase your revenue streams with additional services.

Expand Market Reach: Access new markets by leveraging connections with International Money Transfer Operators in the RemitONE EcoSystem™.

Flexible Integration: Connect seamlessly to your preferred payment gateways to keep your operations running smoothly.

Versatile E-Wallets: Issue e-wallets, allowing customers to top up their own accounts or send money to beneficiaries’ mobile wallets.

Quick Registration & Onboarding: Provide a smooth and efficient customer experience from start to finish to keep them returning.

If you’re looking stay ahead of the evolving digital landscape, get in touch today: sales@remitone.com.