Software:Mojaloop
| Original author(s) | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Mojaloop Foundation |
| Initial release | 2017 |
| Repository | https://github.com/mojaloop/ |
| Written in | JavaScript, TypeScript |
| Engine | Node.js |
| Website | https://mojaloop.io/ |
Mojaloop is an open-source software project of the Mojaloop Foundation. The project is a reference model for creating interoperable payments platforms for digital financial providers intended to reduce the technical barrier of financial inclusion efforts.[1] It was created and released by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Level One Project in 2017.[2] Moja is a Swahili word meaning "one".
Mojaloop is a collection of Node.js microservices.[3] There are multiple components for routing, clearing, and settling payments between digital financial service providers.[4] It uses the Interledger Protocol for facilitating payments.[5]
History
The earliest mention of Mojaloop by commercial entities was the announcement in 2018 by Orange Telecom Group and MTN to establish a new joint venture called Mowali which would implement the Mojaloop technology.[6] The joint venture was closed down in November 2022 due to lack of required approvals by the Central Bank.[7]
In 2019, Forbes covered the efforts to build a solution in Tanzania.[8]
The Mojaloop project was cited part of the Tanzania Instant Payment System (TIPS) which went began testing in June 2021 and was continuing with a close group test in early 2023.[9] The Central Bank of Tanzania mentions TIPS in 2020.[10]
In June 2022, Mojaloop announced the creation of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) Center of Excellence in Singapore.[11]
Mojaloop implements payments in a flow including verification and lookup of destination account, quote, payments push and done via RESTful APis. Design documents provide documentation to implementing entities.[12]
The Mojaloop Foundation is a US based charity, headquartered in Massachusetts, with expenses of $2.2 million in 2020.[13]
Grants from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to Mojaloop include $4.7M in 2020 and $8.5M in 2023.[14][15]
In 2024, Higala leverages on Mojaloop to lower the on-ramp barrier for small banks and other financial institutions to participate in interoperable payment rails and reduce the cost of moving funds amongst financial institutions in Philippines.[16]
In 2025, initiative to launch interoperable payment system in Bangladesh with support from Gates foundation was announced.[17]
Citations
- ↑ "Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Releases Open-Source Software to Support Efforts that Expand Access to Financial Services in Developing Countries" (in en). Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/media-center/press-releases/2017/10/bill-melinda-gates-foundation-releases-open-source-software-to-expand-access-to-financial-services.
- ↑ Nickelsburg, Monica (October 16, 2017). "Gates Foundation's new open-source software helps impoverished communities around the world access financial services". GeekWire. https://www.geekwire.com/2017/gates-foundations-new-open-source-software-helps-impoverish-communities-around-world-access-financial-services/.
- ↑ "Tools and Technologies | Mojaloop Documentation". https://docs.mojaloop.io/community/tools/tools-and-technologies.html.
- ↑ "How It Works" (in en-US). Mojaloop. https://mojaloop.io/how-it-works/.
- ↑ "FAQs" (in en-US). Mojaloop. https://mojaloop.io/foundation/faq/#collapse-3-4841.
- ↑ "Orange and MTN launch pan-African mobile money interoperability | MTN.com". https://www.mtn.com/orange-and-mtn-launch-pan-african-mobile-money-interoperability/.
- ↑ "MTN and Orange end Mowali JV due to lack of central bank approval" (in en). https://www.africabusinessplus.com/en/812059/mtn-and-orange-end-mowali-jv-due-to-lack-of-central-bank-approval/.
- ↑ Groenfeldt, Tom. "Gates Foundation's Mojaloop Finance Code Gains in Africa And Asia" (in en). Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomgroenfeldt/2019/04/22/gates-foundations-mojaloop-finance-code-gains-in-africa-and-asia/.
- ↑ "Mojaloop Foundation's Walk the Loop Event in Tanzania Shows Path to Financial Inclusion – Desire Kachenje - Payments Afrika" (in en-US). 2023-01-24. https://paymentsafrika.com/mojaloop-foundations-walk-the-loop-event-in-tanzania-shows-path-to-financial-inclusion-desire-kachenje/.
- ↑ "Central Bank of Tanzania". https://www.bot.go.tz/PaymentSystem/Initiatives.
- ↑ "Mojaloop Foundation Launches the Mojaloop CBDC Center of Excellence in Singapore" (Press release). Business Wire. 2022-06-22. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
- ↑ "API Catalog | Mojaloop Documentation". https://docs.mojaloop.io/api/.
- ↑ "Mojaloop Foundation Inc - GuideStar Profile". https://www.guidestar.org/profile/85-0922903.
- ↑ https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/2020/10/inv001359
- ↑ https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/2023/11/inv-059287
- ↑ https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ideas/articles/digital-payments-financial-inclusion-mojaloop
- ↑ "Bangladesh Bank to launch interoperable payment system with support from Gates Foundation: Governor" (in en). 2025-09-15. https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/bangladesh-bank-launch-interoperable-payment-system-support-gates-foundation-governor.
General and cited references
- Morris, David Z. (6 May 2020). "Google and Gates Foundation join forces to promote digital payments in the developing world" (in en). Fortune. https://fortune.com/2020/05/06/google-gates-foundation-digital-payments-developing-countries/.
- Galeon, Dom (20 October 2017). "The Gates Foundation just launched a blockchain-powered mobile payment system". Futurism. https://futurism.com/the-gates-foundation-just-launched-a-blockchain-powered-mobile-payment-system.
- "Digital payments in developing countries set for major boost" (in en). New Vision. 15 May 2020. https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1518868/digital-payments-developing-countries-set-major-boost.
- "Software to fix financial interoperability" (in en). New Vision. 14 October 2019. https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1508579/software-fix-financial-interoperability.
 |  |
