Pic :BPC Founder and President Anatoly Loninov, welcoming delegates
By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe
Industry leaders, banking executives, and fintech innovators gathered at The Westin Cape Town for the BPC Client Conference 2026.
Anchored around the theme of making payments easier, faster, and more secure in 2026 and beyond, the conference served as a key platform for financial institutions to exchange insights and collaborate on impending market shifts.
While markets in North America and Europe have traditionally relied on physical card infrastructure, dynamics across the African continent offer a distinctly different narrative. Speaking exclusively to Emsamo News , Ilyass Berrajaa highlighted how Africa has moved past traditional card reliance to pioneer new payment paradigms that are now being exported globally.
“In Africa, the situation is different from other areas of the world. Other regions are more card-oriented when it comes to payments. We see that payment innovation is now originating in Africa and being exported to other parts of the world, “said Berrajaa
As consumer behavior continues to evolve, three key trends are shaping the payment ecosystem in 2026:
Tokenisation & E-Commerce: Safeguarding transactions while delivering frictionless checkout experiences.
Instant Payments: Enabling real-time settlement across diverse banking ecosystems.
Card Digitisation: Transitioning physical payment cards into virtual, mobile-first environments.
A major focus of the conference was addressing security challenges across both physical and digital channels. Fraud remains a complex issue affecting institutions worldwide, spanning external digital attacks and internal operational vulnerabilities.
To combat this, BPC emphasised moving beyond traditional rule-based transaction safeguards. Because rule-based systems are configured manually, they remain inherently limited when facing rapidly evolving fraud tactics.
By integrating AI on top of traditional rule engines, financial platforms can establish a 360-degree security perimeter. However, adopting advanced AI technology requires specialized human capital. Institutions must invest in targeted training and leadership with deep technical domain expertise to successfully navigate modern market demands.
South Africa continues to stand out as a primary engine for financial innovation across the continent. Tier-1 financial institutions—including Standard Bank and TymeBank—are actively leveraging BPC’s enterprise platform to deliver enhanced user experiences, satisfy rigorous compliance mandates, and streamline daily payment operations for millions of users.
Looking ahead, the trajectory for digital payments in Africa remains overwhelmingly positive. With sustained investments in advanced technology, skilled leadership, and collaborative knowledge sharing, the region is well-positioned to shape the global future of seamless finance.
