MainMoney launched a palm-based biometric payment system in Kinshasa on April 29, 2026, offering an alternative to cash-dominated transactions in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The system allows users to make payments without a bank card or mobile phone, using the palm of the hand as a unique identifier.

The technology relies on “Palm Vein” recognition, which analyzes the internal vein patterns of the hand to verify identity.

“The idea behind MainMoney is that your hand becomes your wallet,” Chief Executive Sylvain Mubenga said at the launch. “At least 29 million Congolese have a mobile money account, but cash still dominates transactions. We want to expand financial inclusion,” he added, according to Actualite.cd.

In a country where cash remains prevalent despite the growth of mobile money, the solution aims to simplify access to digital financial services. Users must first enroll their biometric data, which is then linked to a payment profile.

Financial inclusion on the rise

The system does not replace bank accounts but the tools used to access them, such as cards, phones or codes. It must be linked to a bank account, a mobile money account or a MainMoney wallet. Once activated, it enables payments directly at a terminal without the need for a physical device.

According to its developers, the technology is difficult to counterfeit because it relies on vein patterns inside the hand, unlike conventional fingerprint systems.

MainMoney is targeting both individuals and businesses. The terminals are designed for use in supermarkets, gas stations, healthcare facilities and workplaces, including for payroll management.

These applications have not yet been deployed at scale. For now, the solution is presented as a tool that can integrate with existing payment systems in a market dominated by mobile money and cash.

The launch comes as financial inclusion is improving. According to the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2023–2028, published in July 2023, the inclusion rate stood at 38% in 2022. The central bank now estimates it at 50%, with a target of 65% by 2028.

Pierre Mokoko