The global payments landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by technological innovation, regulatory reforms, and the increasing demand for seamless cross-border transactions. Central banks are at the forefront of shaping robust policies, fostering innovation, and ensuring secure, efficient, and inclusive payment ecosystems. This training course equips participants with cutting-edge insights on digital transformation, regulatory frameworks, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), cross-border interoperability, and the role of central banks in balancing innovation with financial stability. By attending this program, participants will gain practical knowledge of emerging technologies, global standards, risk management, and supervisory approaches that strengthen central bank oversight of payments systems. The course is designed to provide practical learning experiences through policy case studies, regulatory simulations, and global benchmarks. It empowers participants to play a key role in shaping the future of payments by fostering innovation while maintaining financial integrity, security, and resilience.

Duration:

10 Days

Target Audience

• Central bank payments system department officials
• Policy analysts and financial sector regulators
• Cross-border payments specialists
• Innovation and fintech policy advisors
• Financial stability and risk management professionals
• Banking supervision officers
• Payments infrastructure and settlement experts
• AML/CFT and compliance officers
• Economic researchers focusing on digital payments
• International financial institutions staff

Objectives

• Equip participants with knowledge on global payments policy frameworks
• Enhance understanding of digital transformation in payments systems
• Provide insights on cross-border interoperability and innovation
• Strengthen supervisory and regulatory approaches for central banks
• Build capacity on payment system cybersecurity and resilience
• Explore opportunities and risks of CBDCs and stablecoins
• Deepen knowledge of ISO 20022 standards and real-time systems
• Provide strategies for balancing innovation and financial stability
• Enhance ability to monitor fintech and digital lending ecosystems
• Equip participants with practical tools for policy analysis and design

Course Modules

Module 1: Global Payments Ecosystem Overview

• Evolution of payment systems
• Emerging innovations in global payments
• Role of central banks in payments oversight
• Interoperability challenges
• Trends shaping the future of payments

Module 2: Policy Frameworks for Payments Systems

• Payments policy development principles
• International best practices in payments oversight
• Policy design and stakeholder engagement
• Balancing innovation with risk management
• Impact of policy on financial stability

Module 3: Payments Regulation and Supervision

• Key regulatory frameworks for payments
• Licensing and oversight of payment institutions
• Risk-based supervisory approaches
• Compliance with global standards
• Building resilient regulatory environments

Module 4: Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)

• Design and implementation considerations
• Policy implications of CBDCs
• Retail vs wholesale CBDCs
• Lessons from global pilots
• Integration with existing payments systems

Module 5: Cross-Border Payments and Interoperability

• Challenges in cross-border transactions
• Global initiatives to enhance interoperability
• Standards for cross-border payments
• Role of regional and international cooperation
• Future of cross-border settlements

Module 6: ISO 20022 and Payments Messaging Standards

• Introduction to ISO 20022
• Benefits of adopting the standard
• Technical and operational implications
• Implementation roadmaps
• Global adoption trends

Module 7: Instant Payments and Real-Time Systems

• Evolution of instant payments
• Central bank roles in enabling real-time systems
• Risks and benefits of instant payments
• Case studies of successful systems
• Cross-border instant payments potential

Module 8: Cybersecurity and Resilience in Payments Systems

• Emerging threats in payments infrastructure
• Resilience frameworks for central banks
• Incident response strategies
• Supervisory expectations for cybersecurity
• Building cyber-resilient payments ecosystems

Module 9: Risk Management in Payments Systems

• Systemic and operational risks
• Risk identification and mitigation tools
• Central bank oversight of payment risks
• Stress testing approaches
• Crisis response planning

Module 10: Innovation and Fintech in Payments

• Role of fintech in modern payments
• Mobile money and digital wallets
• Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies
• Stablecoins and tokenized assets
• Regulatory sandboxes and innovation hubs

Module 11: AML/CFT and Compliance in Payments

• AML/CFT frameworks for payments
• Risk-based compliance approaches
• Monitoring and reporting obligations
• Technology solutions for compliance
• International collaboration on AML/CFT

Module 12: Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion

• Consumer rights in payments systems
• Policies to enhance financial inclusion
• Risks of exclusion in digital payments
• Building trust in payment innovations
• Inclusive design of payment policies

Module 13: International Standards and Cooperation

• Role of BIS, IMF, and FSB in payments oversight
• Collaboration across jurisdictions
• Adopting global standards in local contexts
• Harmonization challenges
• Policy alignment with international partners

Module 14: Data, Analytics, and Payments Intelligence

• Role of data in payments supervision
• Big data analytics for central banks
• Risk-based insights from payments data
• Data privacy considerations
• Leveraging AI and machine learning

Module 15: Case Studies and Global Best Practices

• Successful policy frameworks globally
• Innovative payment systems adoption
• Cross-border cooperation models
• Lessons from emerging markets
• Central bank leadership in payments innovation

Module 16: Future of Payments Systems

• Trends shaping the next decade
• Digital currencies and evolving ecosystems
• Central bank roles in future innovation
• Risks and opportunities in emerging models
• Roadmaps for central bank preparedness

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.