A small business does not experience regional trade as an abstract agreement. It experiences it as delivery times, paperwork, currency conversion, and the question of whether a customer can pay.
The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System is one initiative addressing the payment side of that challenge. Its work is a useful reference for a broader discussion about the practical infrastructure behind a more connected African market.
My view
Payment interoperability is an economic opportunity when its benefits reach smaller firms. A system’s technical reach is only part of the story. The fees, onboarding requirements, settlement experience, and available support determine whether a merchant can actually use it.
What to watch
Follow the experience of a real small exporter: receiving a payment, understanding its cost, and resolving a problem. That journey is a more revealing measure than an announcement of connectivity alone.