BCEAO extends connection deadlines for instant payment platform in WAEMU
via Lefaso.net1 min read
The Central Bank of West African States BCEAO has granted an extension for financial institutions in the West African Economic and Monetary Union WAEMU to connect to the Interoperable Instant Payment System Platform PI-SPI. This decision allows banks, electronic money institutions, payment institutions, and microfinance institutions to finalize their integration under optimal conditions and ensure a service level that meets platform requirements. Banks, electronic money institutions, and payment institutions now have until September 30, 2026, to connect, while microfinance institutions supervised by the WAEMU Banking Commission have until June 30, 2027. The PI-SPI, launched on September 30, 2025, is a key tool for modernizing payment systems in the Union. As of June 24, 2026, 80 institutions were already connected, providing instant payment services to millions of users, with another 74 institutions currently in testing phases. The BCEAO reaffirms its commitment to deploying an accessible, secure, and interoperable instant payment system across WAEMU, with its technical services supporting integration efforts to strengthen financial inclusion and modernize payment infrastructure.
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