Banking Applications: A Practical Reading of the Sudanese Experience

Dr Marwa Qabbani
Strategic Planning and Digital Transformation Expert

Electronic banking services in Sudan began in the early 2000s through the connection of banks to the national banking information network and the integration of their branches in the capital and various states within a unified operating system. The National Switch was launched in early 2006, enabling the interconnection of banks, the spread of automated teller machines (ATMs) and point-of-sale (POS) terminals, and the use of bank cards for financial transactions.
With the development of digital infrastructure, Sudanese banks began launching electronic banking applications, enabling customers to manage their accounts and conduct financial transactions remotely without visiting bank branches.
Despite these developments, however, the culture of interacting with banks and benefiting from financial services was not widespread across the different segments of Sudanese society. For a long time, it remained largely confined to limited groups associated with commercial and financial activities. Prior to the outbreak of the war, the proportion of individuals holding bank accounts ranged between 6% and 10% of the total population.
This situation was due to a number of structural and procedural challenges, most notably:
Requirements for opening bank accounts in terms of documentation.
The need for an initial deposit to activate the account.
The requirement for personal recommendations or guarantors.
Compliance with contractual conditions imposed by banks.
These factors contributed to the limited spread of digital banking tools, such as banking applications and bank cards used at point-of-sale terminals and ATMs.
Their use was also heavily concentrated in the capital region and a few states, while weak network infrastructure and the instability of technical services remained major obstacles to expanding digital banking services and improving their quality across Sudan’s states.
Electronic Applications and Mobile Payment
Sudan witnessed a noticeable expansion in mobile payment services nearly a decade after the initial introduction of digital banking technologies. This expansion occurred when telecommunications companies entered the national payment system and integrated their services with banking networks.
This integration enabled telecom companies to offer electronic wallets linked to mobile phone numbers, allowing users to conduct a wide range of financial transactions, including:
Financial transfers.
Bill payments.
Purchasing goods and services.
Cash withdrawal and deposits through networks of authorised agents.
In addition, financial technology (FinTech) companies entered the Sudanese market and connected to the national switch system. More than 100 fintech companies have been licensed, along with the three telecommunications companies licensed as providers of financial services.
This development created a high level of integration between banking applications and bank cards, facilitating electronic transfers and payments across different banks and improving the efficiency of national payment systems.
Electronic applications also helped overcome several traditional challenges, including the geographical distance from bank branches, the complexity of account-opening procedures, and the high costs associated with cash-based transactions. This made financial services more accessible and inclusive for broader segments of society, particularly in rural areas and regions with limited banking services.
Citizens increasingly turned towards electronic services and opened digital wallets through applications provided by financial companies licensed by the central bank. Among these are applications such as Kashi, CyberPay, Bravo, and other platforms that offer innovative services supporting digital transformation and enhancing financial inclusion for more than 2 million subscribers.
Electronic Applications and Financial Inclusion
During the cash liquidity crisis, reliance on electronic banking applications became a primary option for conducting everyday financial transactions. These applications helped reduce dependence on physical cash and strengthened trust in digital payment systems.
The use of bank cards, POS terminals, and electronic applications has increased significantly. Before the outbreak of the war, the number of POS terminals in commercial outlets exceeded 3,500, while electronic payment transactions grew more than tenfold compared with earlier periods.
Financial inclusion subsequently became a strategic objective supported by banks, telecommunications companies, and fintech firms through:
Expanding digital applications.
Simplifying registration procedures.
Expanding networks of financial agents.
These efforts helped integrate new segments of society into the formal financial system and encouraged the gradual transition from a cash-based economy to a digital economy.
Estimates suggest that the number of users of banking services via applications reached approximately 13.4 million, representing more than 30% of Sudan’s population.
An Analytical Reading of the Sudanese Experience
The Sudanese experience demonstrates that electronic banking applications were not merely technological tools; rather, they became practical solutions to structural challenges within the financial system, especially after the significant damage inflicted on the banking sector by the war. More than 600 bank branches, out of approximately 900 nationwide, were destroyed or forced to cease operations.
The most prominent challenges facing the Sudanese experience include:
Weak financial inclusion.
Cash liquidity shortages.
The limited geographical spread of bank branches.
Despite these challenges, the experience has shown that integration between banks, telecommunications companies, and fintech firms represents an effective model for accelerating digital financial transformation in developing economies.
The Central Bank of Sudan has focused on licensing financial institutions to provide services through electronic wallets directly linked to commercial banks, thereby strengthening the integration of the digital financial system.
The National Switch has also played a pivotal role in ensuring the continuity of financial services. It provides an infrastructure that enables transactions between different banks, with operational alternatives available during emergencies or disasters, ensuring that customers can continue accessing their bank accounts and financial services without interruption.
The Sudanese experience suggests that the transition towards electronic banking applications has become a strategic necessity rather than a mere technological option. It has contributed to enhancing financial inclusion, expanding access to banking services, and ensuring the continuity of the financial system even during crises.
This experience also offers an important model that can benefit many developing economies seeking to accelerate digital financial transformation and achieve broader financial inclusion.

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