The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), in collaboration with the Mojaloop Foundation, Singapore-based ThitsaWorks, and The AfricaNenda Foundation, has launched the Liberian Inclusive Instant Payments System (IIPS), an interoperable real-time payments platform designed to advance digital financial inclusion and enable mobile money transfers between Lone Star Cell MTN and Orange Liberia. The IIPS, powered by Mojaloop’s open-source payments infrastructure, aims to digitize the national economy and strengthen seamless interoperability across various payment channels, including mobile money operators, commercial banks, microfinance institutions, fintechs, and government agencies. The system was deployed in 73 business days, marking it as the fastest Mojaloop implementation to date. Liberia has made notable progress in expanding financial access, with account ownership reaching 52% by 2024, surpassing its 50% target, primarily due to the growth of over 11 million mobile wallets, according to The World Bank Global Findex (2024). Steve Haley, Director of Market Development at The Mojaloop Foundation, stated that the deployment included the first Government-to-Person (G2P) use case in 73 days and Person-to-Person (P2P) capability in 111 days, connecting Lone Star Cell MTN and Orange Liberia. Haley noted that Liberia, historically a cash-heavy economy, previously faced limited interoperability, which often required citizens to carry multiple mobile phones for transactions. Haley further commented that the launch demonstrates Mojaloop’s efficiency, noting it is a complete, ready-to-implement product that does not require extensive up-front investment or lengthy development. The IIPS is the first real-money deployment of Mojaloop v17, which provides access to the latest cross-border and fintech integration capabilities. The system is intended to improve daily life for citizens and businesses by enabling fast, reliable, and secure digital transactions, thereby reducing reliance on cash and expanding financial participation. Government payments, such as salaries and social benefits, are expected to become more efficient; salary processing, which previously took seven days, will now take seconds. The new system will facilitate integration across 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). Miatta Kutteh, Director of Payment Systems at the Central Bank of Liberia, stated that implementing IIPS is a primary step toward establishing a national electronic switch that integrates all market participants, addressing a significant interoperability challenge, especially for rural and underbanked communities. Dr. Robert Ochola, CEO of The AfricaNenda Foundation, noted the system’s role in creating a more inclusive and interoperable payments ecosystem, highlighting strong leadership from the Central Bank of Liberia and effective collaboration. Nyi Nyein Aye, Founder and CEO of ThitsaWorks, affirmed the company’s support in bringing the technical platform and business operations to fruition, emphasizing a shared commitment to a digital payments ecosystem for all Liberians. The Central Bank of Liberia is hosting a launch ceremony at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town. Attendees include mobile money operators Lone Star Cell MTN and Orange Liberia, commercial banks, financial institutions, government ministries, agencies, commissions, development partners, and international stakeholders. His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. is scheduled to deliver the keynote address, aligning with the Government of Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for digital transformation. The Mojaloop Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on increasing financial inclusion by empowering organizations to create interoperable payment systems. It maintains Mojaloop, its open-source software and community, as public goods for global financial inclusion goals.