Is there uncertainty behind Ethiopia’s payment gateway space?

Ethiopia's payment gateway sector is rapidly expanding, with the National Bank of Ethiopia licensing over 20 operators, including established platforms like EthSwitch and Premier Switch, and newer entrants such as Chapa, SantimPay, AddisPay, and YagoutPay. While this growth appears promising, concerns exist regarding accessibility and visibility. Abenezer Zewedu, Founder of RVTTechnologie, noted that some licensed operators lack a clear online presence, questioning if the growth translates to accessible infrastructure. The evolving financial services landscape, with banks opening APIs and Telebirr supporting direct integrations, raises questions about the long-term role of third-party payment gateways. Integration remains a barrier, as bank APIs are complex and Telebirr integration is time-consuming. Payment gateways aim to simplify this, but access is often restricted; for example, developers need a business license and office. This limitation hinders innovation, according to Abenezer. Despite challenges, alternative models show promise. Simon Pepper, Chief Product Officer at Tola Mobile, shared their Direct Settlement model, which integrates with Mobile Money suppliers like TeleBirr and Safaricom mPesa. This model allows merchants to retain control of funds while Tola handles connectivity, reducing operational burdens. The article concludes that future success in Ethiopia's payment ecosystem will depend on simplifying integration, removing barriers, and supporting emerging