The Republic of Sudan recently joined the Better Than Cash Alliance, an initiative of the UN Capital Development Fund, as part of its effort to expedite the country’s transition to the use of digital payments. This effort is a major element of Sudan’s economic reform strategy, as the country attempts to reinvigorate its economy following decades of “financial isolation.”
According to Sudan’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Ibrahim Elbadawi, “This digital transition will ensure equitable access to resources and government services, and revitalize the private sector, which are central to our efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace and revive the national economy.”
In support of this movement, the Sudanese government is creating a Digital Transformation Agency, a multi-ministerial office that will focus on modernizing government services. For example, the Sudan Family Support Program will begin providing “monthly direct digital transfers to around 80 percent of Sudanese families.”
Founded in 2012, Better Than Cash has 75 members, spanning government, the private sector and the development community. The entity works towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals by sharing “action-oriented” research, delivering advisory services, and conducting “advocacy at national, regional and global level[s]” relating to the transition from cash-based to electronic payments. Financial information on Better Than Cash is unavailable.
By Jessica McLeod, Research Associate
Sources and Additional Resources
Better Than Cash Alliance press release
https://www.betterthancash.org/news/media-releases/sudan-embraces-digital-payments-to-build-a-more-inclusive-economy
Better Than Cash Alliance homepage
https://www.betterthancash.org/
UNCDF homepage
https://www.uncdf.org/
Previous MicroCapital article on Better Than Cash
https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-government-of-malawi-joins-better-than-cash-alliance-btc-to-adopt-electronic-payments/
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