Established in 2004, the Commercial Independent Banking Association (CIBA) was founded to create a dedicated forum that safeguards the interests of Payment Service Providers (PSPs) within the South African National Payment System (NPS). Our mission is to ensure the inclusion and active participation of PSPs in shaping the evolving payments landscape.
PSP’s services provide technological, risk & compliance and business support to businesses that range from small to JSE listed organisations, therefore representing the interest of SA Inc.
As a recognized, established, and registered association, CIBA members play an integral role in the industry, continuously collaborating with key stakeholders, including regulatory bodies such as the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the Payments Association of South Africa (PASA) and engage actively on a monthly basis members. CIBA We also maintain strong affiliations with industry associations like the Payment System Stakeholder Forum (PSSF), Association of System Operations (ASO) and schemes such as BankServ Africa.
As a not-for-profit organization, CIBA remains dedicated to fostering innovation, compliance, and best practices within the payment’s ecosystem.
A System Operator (SO) is a non-bank and, in terms of SARB Directive 2 of 2007 provides services in relation to payment instructions, i.e. it provides electronic means (including the delivery to and/or receipt of payment instructions) to two or more persons to allow such persons to send or receive payment instructions.
Third-party payment providers, also known as payment gateways or processors, are companies that facilitate online and in-person payments for businesses without requiring them to have their own merchant accounts. They act as intermediaries between businesses and customers, processing transactions securely
Financial technology (better known as fintech) is used to describe new technology that seeks to improve and automate the delivery and use of financial services. At its core, fintech is utilized to help companies, business owners, and consumers better manage their financial operations, processes, and lives
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The payments industry has evolved from the ACB/Data Bureaux sector before 2000 into modern electronic interfaces and payment gateways. It now supports multiple payment streams, including EFT (Debit and Credit), DebiCheck, and card payments. This evolution brings innovation and provides access to payment options in areas such as APIs, web services, online platforms, FinTech, and updated systems (ISO 20022). The service offerings cater to diverse businesses, from SMEs to corporates, simplifying access to complex banking systems and integrations. Additionally, it presents a cost-effective alternative to substantial CAPEX investments by businesses, especially those requiring specialized payments industry expertise. It also enables smaller businesses, lacking resources for complex financial systems, to access value-added services.
Collections
EFT Collections
Collections
Registered Mandate
Payments
EFT Payments
Real Time Payments
Payments
Account Verification Service
The National Payment System (NPS) categorizes participants into five levels, ranging from the inner-core to the outer-core. CIBA members are registered as System Operators (SO), Third-Party Payment Providers (TPPP), and FinTechs, and form part of the middle-core participants, classified as levels 3 and 4
These entities play a vital role in processing low-value debit and credit streams, including DebiCheck, Registered MandateS, EFT debits and credits, Payshap and card payment transactions.
While middle-core participants are integral to payment facilitation, they do not engage directly in clearing and settlement processes. Instead, they rely on inner-core participants, like banks to provide these essential services, ensuring seamless transactions within the NPS.
CIBA as NPS Stakeholder SARB Payments Vision 2025
CIBA, a recognized and established Payment Service Provider (PSP) association, played a key role in shaping the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Vision 2025. Our members are committed to advancing its objectives, with a strong focus on digital payments, safety, security, innovation, and access. Payments modernization remains a critical enabler of Vision 2025, driving the evolution of the National Payment System (NPS).
Through its diverse membership, CIBA facilitates NPS access for businesses and payers, ensuring broader financial inclusion. Our members lead payments innovation by developing new payment methods and channels, leveraging APIs and web services to enhance efficiency and accessibility. As middle-core participants in the NPS, CIBA members play a crucial role in bridging the gap between emerging payment technologies and mainstream financial systems.
