FirstBank Integrates PAPSS into LIT App for Seamless Cross-Border Payments Across Africa
Omobola Sadiq
FirstBank of Nigeria Limited has announced the integration of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) into its flagship digital banking platform, the LIT app, in a move that allows customers to make instant, secure, and local currency-based cross-border payments across Africa.
PAPSS, developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, enables instant, low-cost payments between African countries using local currencies.
Speaking on the milestone, FirstBank’s Group Executive for e-Business and Retail Products, Chuma Ezirim, said the integration underscores the bank’s dedication to innovation and financial inclusion.
“The integration of PAPSS into the LIT app is a testament to FirstBank’s commitment to delivering innovative, customer-centric solutions that simplify and enhance financial transactions,” Ezirim said. “This milestone aligns with our strategic goal of deepening digital capabilities and expanding access to seamless cross-border payment services across Africa.”
The Chief Executive Officer of PAPSS, Mike Ogbalu, commended the collaboration, describing it as a step forward in connecting African economies.
“Every time an individual, an SME or a company sends money instantly within Africa in their own currency, we are not just moving funds, we are connecting ambitions, supporting livelihoods, and bridging dreams across borders,” Ogbalu said. “This collaboration with FirstBank and the LIT app brings us a step closer to making African borders invisible to the movement of money.”
The LIT app, FirstBank’s digital banking solution, already provides a wide range of services, including virtual cards, scheduled payments, and multi-transfer functions. With PAPSS integration, users can now send funds directly to other African countries in Naira, without converting to foreign currencies such as the US dollar, British pound, or euro.
According to the bank, the feature will significantly reduce transaction costs, improve settlement efficiency, and promote intra-African trade, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The development supports the objectives of the AfCFTA by simplifying cross-border payments, expanding access to digital financial services, and promoting financial inclusion across the continent.
FirstBank said the integration reinforces its leadership in digital innovation and aligns with its long-standing mission to drive financial connectivity and growth across Africa.
