Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are vital to emerging economies, yet many face payment challenges that limit their growth. This report explores how Instant Payment Systems (IPS) can better serve MSMEs, ensuring seamless, low-cost, and inclusive digital transactions.
Key Insights:
- MSMEs represent an important and sizeable group of DFS end users in emerging economies, but how well payments systems and services providers meet those needs varies considerably
- MSMEs can be segmented by number of employees, into three categories: Micro Enterprises (including Sole Proprietors), Small Enterprises, and Medium Enterprises
- Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises have some payments needs that are common across MSME segments and some payments needs that are unique to each segment
- A number of common payments needs across MSME segments are met by RTRP systems that enable capabilities necessary for modern real time retail funds transfer, e.g. 24/7 availability
- Unique needs of Small and Medium Enterprises that are larger, more mature, and tech savvy are commonly met by PSPs and closed loop RTRP systems, that can sell value-added services to MSMEs for a premium fee
- Unique payments needs of Micro Enterprises are occasionally or rarely addressed by RTRP systems or PSPs. These needs include some that are more acute for women-owned MSMEs. At the other end of the spectrum are the unique payments needs of cross-border MSMEs, which are not yet widely addressed either.
This report offers guidance for designing MSME-friendly IPS to drive financial inclusion and economic growth.