IFC partners Cashi to expand digital payments in Chad’s low-connectivity markets

International Finance Corporation (IFC) has entered a strategic partnership with African fintech firm Cashi to accelerate digital payment infrastructure in Chad, targeting underserved markets with limited connectivity and low financial inclusion.

The collaboration signals a broader push to deepen access to financial services across fragile and underbanked economies in the Sahel.

Expanding access through low-tech solutions
Cashi’s platform enables users and businesses to send and receive money via mobile phones, point-of-sale devices and SMS-based tools, connecting banks, telecom operators and financial institutions within a single interoperable ecosystem. The model is designed for environments where smartphone penetration is low and cash remains dominant.

In Chad, where only about 10–15% of adults have access to formal banking or mobile money services, well below the sub-Saharan African average, the partnership aims to unlock everyday financial transactions and reduce reliance on physical cash. For small businesses, the platform offers lower transaction costs, improved liquidity management and greater access to financial services, supporting revenue growth and job creation.

“IFC’s upstream support allows us to adapt our proven, crisis-tested platform to the realities of Central Africa,” said Cashi CEO Tarneem Saeed. “This partnership enables us to work closely with regulators, build trust with merchants and deliver practical financial tools for daily use, even in low-connectivity environments.”

Driving financial inclusion in the Sahel
IFC said the initiative aligns with Chad’s Tchad Connexion 2030 development agenda, which prioritizes digitalization and financial inclusion as key drivers of economic diversification and private sector growth.

“Expanding access to digital financial services through innovative, tailored solutions is critical in markets where smartphone penetration is low,” said Olivier Buyoya, IFC Division Director for West Africa. “This project underscores IFC’s commitment to scalable, resilient financial infrastructure that broadens access to finance.”

The partnership reflects IFC’s growing focus on the Sahel, where it is ramping up investments across financial services, digital connectivity, agribusiness and climate resilience. With its blend of capital, advisory support and private-sector partnerships, IFC is positioning digital finance as a cornerstone for inclusive growth in frontier markets.