IrisGuard and Arifpay partner to boost financial inclusion for Ethiopians

By Delisha Fernandes

IrisGuard, an end-to-end iris enabled payment systems, announced a strategic collaboration for providing the EyePay Network in Ethiopia with local financial services partner Arifpay.

Implementing IrisGuard’s robust and reliable digital payment infrastructure, which exclusively uses the human iris for authenticating and processing payment transactions, ensures complete transparency that social support reaches the intended recipients.

Being powered by IrisGuard’s cutting-edge iris recognition software and hardware makes the EyePay Network one of the most secure and accountable payment platforms available, providing irrefutable proof-of-life for compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) regulations.

This strategic partnership marks a milestone in the FinTech industry and reinforces Ethiopia’s reputation as a hub for innovative and transformative steps towards financial inclusion. IrisGuard and Arifpay are paving the way for a future where digital payments empower beneficiaries to navigate the digital financial landscape confidently using the iris, overcoming connectivity, location, or literacy hurdles.

Imad Malhas, Founder & Managing Director of IrisGuard, said, “We are proud to be part of such a remarkable milestone in Ethiopia with our partners at Arifpay. Ethiopia’s innovative landscape is the perfect stage for our EyePay Network services and the transparency and accountability levels it brings in the international humanitarian assistance arena.”

The impact of Arifpay in ecosystem building has been growing by creating a platform where all stakeholders can join forces and enhance the nation’s financial ecosystem through advocacy and policy recommendations.

Bernard Laurendeau, CEO Arifpay, said, “We are excited to work with IrisGuard in Ethiopia and about the potential the EyePay Network platform brings to Ethiopia and the African continent. This solution will enable us to serve millions of unbanked people and support the Government’s ongoing efforts to digitise the economy at the highest level of accountability and transparency.”