“When the average transaction value is $1, the cost shouldn’t be 10% — it should be a cent. Anything higher, and we’re not solving for inclusion.” - That insight from Victor Malu, Senior Business Development Lead at the Mojaloop Foundation, stuck with me during the “Upgrading the Real-Time Payments Infrastructure” panel at Seamless East Africa 2025.
Victor spoke about the need to move beyond monolithic, vintage systems and toward open-source, interoperable, and locally built infrastructure. His challenge to the room was clear: if we’re serious about financial inclusion, then the systems we build must be both affordable and owned by us.
At Kanzu Finance Limited, this resonates deeply. Our work with the Interledger Foundation is a direct response to this challenge. We’re building open payment infrastructure that enables seamless, low-cost cross-border microtransactions, particularly for underserved communities that traditional rails often overlook. By integrating Interledger Protocol (ILP) into our platform, we’re not just offering a tool — we’re helping lay the rails for real-time, borderless, and interoperable financial access in Africa.
It’s clear we need a mindset shift — from renting closed systems to investing in tech we can build, personalise, and scale across borders. That shift is already underway, and we’re proud to be part of the movement making it happen.
Seamless East Africa was a powerful reminder that inclusion isn’t just about access — it’s about infrastructure, intentionality, and ownership.
Top comments (1)
Thanks for sharing @maria.