The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is a cross-border payment platform that is designed specifically for the settlement of payments between African countries. This settlement solution is intended to boost international trade among African nations under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and foster economic and financial integration.
Prudential Bank Limited (PBL) has over the past twenty-six (26) years actively supported trade on the continent and beyond and is one of only six (6) banks in Ghana that have successfully completed the integration process and are live on PAPSS.
Customers can now send funds (in Cedis) to other African countries without requiring foreign currencies such as the US Dollar. Such transfers can be initiated on the PAPSS platform at any of our branches nationwide. PAPSS eliminates the need for correspondent banking structures, making it unique compared to other cross-border payment systems. The transaction only involves the initiating bank and the receiving bank. This feature allows for instant settlements and reduces the cost involved in making cross-border payments, ensuring a seamless experience for customers.
Currently, customers can send funds to Nigeria, Liberia, Gambia and Sierra Leone only. Participating Nigerian banks that can send and also receive payments through the PAPSS platform include First Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, UBA, Access Bank, Sterling Bank, LOTUS Bank, Keystone Bank, Wema Bank, Polaris Bank, and Providus Bank.
There are four (4) banks in Liberia that have been set up on the PAPSS platform. These are: International Bank of Liberia (IBL), Sapelle Bank of Liberia (SIB), Bloom Bank Africa, and Ecobank Liberia. In Gambia, customers can send and receive funds from the following participating banks: Bloom Bank Africa (Gambia) and Vista Bank Gambia. Customers can also send and receive funds from Bloom Bank Africa in Sierra Leone.
PBL customers will soon be able to send funds to Guinea, Zambia, Djibouti, and Zimbabwe through participating banks in these countries. Customers will be updated on when these countries become operational on PAPSS.
Please note that just like any other cross-border payment, transfers through PAPSS will be subject to the Foreign Exchange Act and all other existing regulations governing cross-border settlements.
For further details, call us toll-free on 0800 000 772, 0551 85 85 85, 0302 750 420, or visit any of our forty-one (41) business locations.