Premier Switch Solutions (PSS), in partnership with global payments leader MasterCard, has unveiled Ethiopia’s first locally verified, world-class online payment verification system, marking a new era in digital payment security for the country. The Verified Access Control Server (ACS), integrated with EMV 3-D Secure (3DS) 2.2 standards, is designed to combat the rising threat of digital payment fraud in Ethiopia’s rapidly expanding e-commerce market.

The launch comes at a crucial moment of transformation in Ethiopia’s digital economy, where securing online transactions has become paramount. PSS CEO Amha Tadesse highlighted the significance of the project, stating, “This launch sets a new national standard for domestic secure online payment. By pre-incorporating four member banks and building a digital ecosystem, we empower financial institutions, merchants, and customers to transact with confidence and integrity.”

The payment verification solution, built in partnership with MasterCard’s Identity Check platform, uses real-time risk assessment to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions. This advancement is expected to reduce payment returns or chargebacks, improve transaction approval rates, and bring Ethiopia’s payment infrastructure up to par with global security standards.

“This is a fundamental step towards establishing a secure, integrated, and future-ready digital payment platform for our people,” Tadesse added.

MasterCard’s Senior Vice President and Country Manager for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, Shehryar Ali, emphasized his company’s dedication to supporting Ethiopia’s digital transformation. “This initiative demonstrates MasterCard’s continued commitment to accelerating the digital transition,” Ali said. “By enhancing payment security and building trust, we are expanding access to finance and bringing more people into the digital economy.”