Africa gains voice in global payment security as Smartcomply enters PCI Council

Africa has gained a stronger voice in the global conversation on payment security following the admission of Nigerian cybersecurity and compliance technology company Smartcomply into the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), the world’s leading body for payment data security standards.

The development marks a significant milestone not only for Smartcomply but also for Africa’s rapidly expanding digital payments ecosystem, which has often had to adopt global security standards without being directly represented in the conversations that shape them.

The move comes at a critical time for Africa’s financial services sector. Across the continent, digital payments, mobile money platforms, instant payment systems and cross-border transactions are growing at record levels. However, experts have repeatedly pointed to the need for stronger cybersecurity frameworks and compliance systems to keep pace with the rapid transformation.

With Smartcomply now participating in the Council, African experiences and operational realities could play a greater role in shaping future global payment security standards.

The PCI Security Standards Council brings together more than 700 participating organisations from over 60 countries, including some of the world’s largest payment networks, financial institutions and technology providers. The Council is responsible for developing and maintaining standards that help businesses protect payment data and reduce the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches.

For Smartcomply, the membership provides an opportunity to represent the unique compliance and security challenges facing African financial institutions while also helping local businesses align with evolving global requirements.

Speaking on the development, Gbemisola Osunrinde, the chief executive officer of Smartcomply, described the membership as an important step in the company’s journey to build trusted and secure digital infrastructure for financial institutions across Africa and beyond.

According to Osunrinde, collaboration has become increasingly important as digital payments continue to expand across emerging and developed markets.

“Joining the PCI Security Standards Council is an important milestone for Smartcomply as we continue building secure and scalable compliance infrastructure for financial institutions across emerging and global markets. As digital payments continue to grow, collaboration around payment security standards becomes more critical. We are excited to contribute to the future of secure payment ecosystems while helping businesses across Africa strengthen trust, compliance and fraud prevention,” she added.

Industry observers believe Smartcomply’s participation could help narrow the gap between global compliance expectations and the realities of African markets, where financial institutions often navigate complex regulatory environments, rapidly growing digital payment channels and evolving fraud risks.

The company currently supports more than 100 financial institutions and regulated businesses across Africa through its compliance and cybersecurity platforms. Its products help organisations manage anti-money laundering compliance, know-your-customer requirements, fraud monitoring, governance, risk management and cybersecurity operations.

The PCI Security Standards Council welcomed Smartcomply’s entry, noting that diverse perspectives are essential in addressing the increasingly sophisticated threats facing global payment systems.

Gina Gobeyn, the executive director of the Council, said organisations such as Smartcomply can play an important role in strengthening payment security worldwide.

“In an era of increasingly sophisticated attacks on systems, PCI Security Standards and resources help organizations secure payment data and prevent, detect, and mitigate attacks that can lead to costly data breaches. By joining as an Associate Participating Organization, Smartcomply has the opportunity to play an active part in improving payment security globally by helping drive awareness and adoption of PCI Security Standards,” Gobeyn said.

The Council membership adds to a series of milestones for Smartcomply in 2026. Earlier this year, the company became a verified member of the Mastercard Engage Partner Program and expanded into the United Kingdom, where its compliance technology is supporting financial institutions operating across African payment corridors.

Beyond the corporate achievement, industry stakeholders say the development reflects the growing maturity of Africa’s technology and cybersecurity ecosystem. For years, African firms have largely implemented standards developed elsewhere. Smartcomply’s inclusion in the PCI Security Standards Council signals a shift towards greater participation in shaping the future rules governing global digital payments.

As cyber threats continue to evolve and digital transactions become increasingly central to economic growth, Africa’s presence at the table where payment security standards are designed may prove just as important as the technologies being protected.