SWIFT white paper highlights drivers for change in African banking

SWIFT, the financial messaging provider for more than 10,000 banks, securities institutions and corporate customers in 212 countries and territories, has published a white paper, “Africa Payments: Insights into African transaction flows.
Based on analysis of SWIFT traffic, it offers unique insights into transaction flows between African countries, and between Africa and other regions. The paper identifies environmental factors that may drive change in cross-border transaction flows, which could reshape pan-African banking, lead to shifts in currency usage and create opportunities for multi-currency clearing in Africa.
SWIFT data highlights that ‘financial’ flows do not reflect ‘commercial’ flows, demonstrating a disconnect between payment routes and the movement of goods and services, particularly between Africa and Asia.
This means that, while Asia Pacific countries are the fastest growing trading partners for most African countries, representing 22 percent of all commercial flows from Africa, only 5 percent of financial flows are sent directly to banks in the Asia Pacific region. Conversely, while banks in North America, receive almost 40 percent of the payments sent by Africa, only 9 percent of the commercial flows are destined for the North American region. In total, more than 80 percent of the transactions from Africa to the United States have their financial beneficiary in another region.
┬áThere are plenty of factors that could influence the direction of payment flows ÔÇô and SWIFT data shows that the impact can be significant. For example, in the West and Central African economic regions, where they share common currencies and common clearing and settlement infrastructures for payments, only 2 percent of trade settlement involves a financial intermediary outside of Africa ÔÇô compared to 48 percent of intra-Africa trade settlement overall.
 Christian Sarafidis, Head of Western Europe, Middle East & Africa, SWIFT, said existing projects in Western and Central Africa demonstrate the potentially disruptive power of regional harmonization, and there is significant political will for similar initiatives on the African continent.
“Other factors could also play a powerful role in driving change in Africa, such as an evolving corporate sector, regulatory pressure in developed markets and new financial market infrastructure.”┬á┬á
 Thierry Chilosi, Head of Banking Initiatives, EMEA, SWIFT, and co- author of the report adde that the scenarios outlined in this paper will depend on a variety of different macro-economic factors, but it seems likely that, over time, so many converging forces are likely to drive significant change in banking in Africa and banking with Africa.
“The banks that will be well positioned to grow their business in Africa going forward, are probably those that are already monitoring these trends.”
┬áThe paper features contributions from the Southern Africa Development Community Banking Association, Nedbank Capital and Ecobank on relevant topics. It opens with a foreword by the African Development Bank.┬áMoono Mupotola, Manager, Regional Integration & Trade Division, African Development Bank, said boosting intra-African trade is an important goal for the AfDB and will play a major role in extending the continent’s growth story and promoting inclusive growth.
“As part of this effort, we must look at ways to cut cost and eliminate risk for African businesses. Papers such as this one, which increase understanding about financial and commercial flows, are an important part of the debate.”