The Mojaloop Foundation, in partnership with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Innovation Hub, is launching the Mojaloop Country Accelerator Program for Pakistan to develop local expertise in digital payment infrastructure and strengthen the country’s financial technology ecosystem. The initiative is designed to build a skilled community of System Implementers, Digital Financial Service Providers (DFSPs) and Hub Operators capable of designing, deploying and supporting payment infrastructure based on Mojaloop technology. Through technical training and practical engagement, the program aims to expand Pakistan’s capacity to develop and maintain digital payment systems while creating opportunities for local professionals and businesses to participate in the growing digital financial services sector.
The accelerator program focuses on developing the technical capabilities required to implement interoperable payment infrastructure. System Implementers, Digital Financial Service Providers and Hub Operators each have roles in building and operating payment systems that allow financial institutions and service providers to connect and exchange transactions. By developing local expertise across these areas, the initiative seeks to reduce reliance on external implementation support and strengthen the ability of organisations within Pakistan to manage payment technology projects. The partnership with the SBP Innovation Hub also connects the program with Pakistan’s broader efforts to support financial innovation and develop a more accessible digital payments ecosystem.
A central component of the program is hands-on technical training, which will allow participants to move beyond theoretical learning and develop practical implementation skills. Participants will also collaborate directly with Mojaloop Community workstreams, giving them opportunities to engage with the wider technical community involved in developing and supporting the platform. Dedicated mentorship is another element of the initiative, intended to guide participants as they build their capabilities and apply their knowledge to real implementation requirements. This combination of structured learning, technical collaboration and mentoring is designed to prepare participants to support payment infrastructure projects and address the operational requirements associated with deploying digital financial services.
The program also aims to strengthen local delivery capacity by helping participants develop the expertise needed to design, deploy and maintain Mojaloop-based systems. Having a trained local community can support organisations that require technical implementation, integration and operational services when adopting digital payment infrastructure. It may also create opportunities for technology firms and specialised service providers to develop commercial offerings around payment system deployment and support. By building these capabilities within Pakistan, the initiative seeks to connect technical training with practical market needs and encourage the growth of local businesses working in financial technology.
Interoperability remains an important consideration in digital payments because it allows different financial service providers and payment systems to communicate and facilitate transactions across institutional boundaries. Payment infrastructure designed to support interoperability can help create connections between participating service providers and expand the potential reach of digital financial services. Developing local expertise in these systems may support future implementation projects and help organisations manage the technical requirements involved in connecting payment services. The accelerator program’s focus on System Implementers, Digital Financial Service Providers and Hub Operators reflects the different capabilities needed to establish and maintain this type of infrastructure.
The initiative also seeks to open new commercial pathways in digital financial infrastructure by preparing participants to offer implementation and support services. As demand for digital financial services develops, businesses with relevant technical capabilities may find opportunities in system integration, infrastructure deployment and ongoing operational support. The program’s collaboration with the Mojaloop Community could help participants learn from established technical practices and engage with a broader network of contributors. Mentorship and practical training are intended to support the development of expertise that can be applied to local projects and potential commercial engagements.
The launch of the Mojaloop Country Accelerator Program represents a collaborative effort by the Mojaloop Foundation and the SBP Innovation Hub to strengthen Pakistan’s digital payments capabilities through local skills development. Its progress will depend on the ability to translate training and mentorship into practical implementation experience, while encouraging continued participation from service providers and technology professionals. By investing in local technical capacity and supporting the development of interoperable payment infrastructure, the program aims to contribute to a stronger digital financial services ecosystem and create further opportunities for businesses involved in Pakistan’s evolving payments sector.
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