Licensing and Authorization of Payment System Operators (Amendment) Directive

The National Bank of Ethiopia has released a draft amendment to the Licensing and Authorization of Payment System Operators Directive, introducing sweeping reforms that could fundamentally reshape the country's digital payments landscape. The proposed changes go far beyond routine regulatory updates. They introduce a new policy direction for market entry, foreign investment, capital requirements, governance standards, consumer protection, and regulatory supervision.If adopted in its current form, the amendment will have far-reaching implications for payment gateways, fintech companies, POS operators, ATM operators, switch operators, financial institutions, technology providers, and foreign investors seeking entry into Ethiopia's rapidly expanding digital economy.