Grace Ashiru
The Mojaloop Foundation, in partnership with the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), ThitsaWorks (a Singapore-based company), and The AfricaNenda Foundation, has announced the launch of the Liberian Inclusive Instant Payments System (IIPS). This modern, real-time interoperable payments platform is powered by Mojaloop, an open-source infrastructure designed to promote digital financial inclusion. The IIPS will primarily enable mobile money transfers between Liberia’s two mobile network operators, Lone Star Cell MTN and Orange Liberia, marking a significant step in CBL’s efforts to digitize the national economy and enhance interoperability across key payment channels, including mobile money operators, commercial banks, microfinance institutions, fintechs, and government agencies.
Liberia has made notable strides in improving financial access. According to The World Bank Global Findex (2024), Liberia surpassed its 50% account ownership target ahead of schedule, reaching 52% by 2024, largely due to the rapid growth of mobile wallets, which now total over 11 million.
The deployment of Mojaloop’s open-source infrastructure allowed for the swift launch of IIPS in just 73 business days, making it the fastest Mojaloop implementation to date.
Steve Haley, Director of Market Development at The Mojaloop Foundation, expressed excitement about the rapid deployment of the IIPS. “Completing the first Government-to-Person (G2P) use case in 73 days and delivering Person-to-Person (P2P) capability in 111 days, culminating in a fully interoperable platform linking Lone Star Cell MTN and Orange Liberia, is an extraordinary achievement,” he said. “Liberia has traditionally been a cash-based economy, with many citizens needing two phones to transact on MTN and Orange. This launch shows that Mojaloop is not only cost-effective but also significantly faster to deploy than traditional systems.”
The IIPS is the first real-money deployment of Mojaloop v17, giving Liberia access to the latest cross-border and fintech integration features ahead of other markets. The platform will improve daily life for citizens and businesses by enabling fast, secure, and reliable digital transactions, reducing reliance on cash, and fostering greater financial inclusion. Government payments, such as salaries and social benefits, will become more efficient and transparent, with salary processing time reduced from seven days to mere seconds.
The system will also facilitate integration with Liberia’s nine commercial banks, Real-Time Gross Settlements (RTGS), Automated Clearing House Electronic Funds Transfer (ACHEFT), and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), laying the groundwork for further innovation and strengthening financial resilience across the country.
Haley highlighted the importance of local leadership in the project. “ThitsaWorks began as a subcontractor on the first Mojaloop deployment in Myanmar. Their leadership in Liberia demonstrates how today’s domestic partners are becoming tomorrow’s primary implementers, showcasing the growing capability and independence of the Mojaloop community.”
Miatta Kutteh, Director of Payment Systems at the Central Bank of Liberia, noted: “To stay competitive with our neighbors, we knew we needed to fully digitize Liberia’s economy. The implementation of IIPS is a significant first step toward creating a national electronic switch that integrates all market participants. Interoperability has long been a challenge in Liberia, particularly for rural and underbanked communities. Mojaloop provides a modern, secure infrastructure to drive this change.”
Dr. Robert Ochola, CEO of the AfricaNenda Foundation, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “The launch of Liberia’s IIPS is a key milestone in the country’s journey toward a more inclusive and interoperable payments ecosystem. It reflects strong leadership from the Central Bank of Liberia and effective collaboration across public and private stakeholders. This system will make everyday payments faster, more affordable, and more accessible, especially for underserved communities, while providing a solid foundation for future innovation and economic participation.”
Nyi Nyein Aye, Founder and CEO of ThitsaWorks, shared pride in the collaboration: “We are honored to have supported the Central Bank of Liberia in launching the IIPS. Through close collaboration with the CBL, the Mojaloop Foundation, and AfricaNenda Foundation, we brought both the technical platform and business operations to life. This achievement reflects the dedication of our team and our shared commitment to building a digital payments ecosystem that benefits all Liberians.”
The Central Bank of Liberia will host a launch ceremony today at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town. The event will bring together key stakeholders from Liberia’s financial sector, including mobile money operators, commercial banks, government ministries, and international development partners. His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. will deliver the keynote address, reaffirming the Government of Liberia’s commitment to digital transformation under the ARREST Agenda.
