Blockchain-based Payment Solutions in Restrictive Environments
Inclusive payment solutions are increasingly important in humanitarian operations. DRC is exploring blockchain-enabled payments to address limitations in traditional financial services. Following a successful 2025 pilot, the initiative is now scaling through targeted systems readiness and learning efforts, with Sudan serving as the primary operational case in 2026.
The challenge
DRC faces persistent systemic barriers in delivering payments to people and local responders, particularly in fragile and restricted environments. Traditional financial pathways do not always deliver to hard-to-reach communities, where limited financial infrastructure results in transfer delays, high transaction costs, or the exclusion of marginalised groups. Today, as crises deepen and funding flags, the imperative is clearer than ever: every contribution must go further and reach those in need safely and reliably.
The opportunity
Against this backdrop, DRC has been exploring new digital payment infrastructures; together with Coala Pay, DRC tested a blockchain enabled payment model designed to address these friction points. This initiative aims to: speed up fund delivery, protect the value of transfers, and increase inclusivity of financial transfers while ensuring transparency and auditability of transfers. Now transitioning to scale, the initiative is building DRC's institutional capability and confidence to use the technology reliably and responsibly.
Fostering innovation
The blockchain payment initiative isn't about adopting a new technology for its own sake. It's about understanding the meaningful impact of alternative payment rails. DRC innovation supports identifying solutions that help solve persistent operational challenges, and that improve outcomes for crisis-affected communities that can be sustainably adopted. Now transitioning to scale, this initiative contributes to DRC's broader commitment to exploring practical, context-appropriate solutions that reinforce locally led response.