Real-time payments (RTP): The instant revolution driving emerging markets
Instant and reliable—real-time payments are a core type of alternative payment methods (APMs), enabling faster, safer, and more inclusive digital economies across emerging markets.
Quick summary
- Real-time payments are transforming money movement in emerging markets, cutting transaction times from days or hours to just seconds—boosting trust, convenience, and financial inclusion.
- Systems like Brazil’s Pix, India’s UPI, and Egypt’s InstaPay are setting new benchmarks for instant payments.
- Millions across Africa, Asia, and Latin America are shifting from cash-heavy systems to faster, more efficient digital methods.
- Bre-B in Colombia highlights how real-time payment systems are evolving—delivering fast, secure, and transparent transfers tailored to local needs.
- The road ahead relies on regulatory frameworks that enable real-time payments to drive inclusion and digital growth in emerging markets.
This blog continues our series based on dLocal’s Emerging Markets Payments Handbook 2025.
Emerging markets are home to over 85% of the world’s population and account for a growing share of global economic activity. Yet, many still rely on legacy payment methods that are slow and fragmented. Real-time payments (RTP) are changing this landscape by enabling instant, account-to-account transfers that cut waiting times from days to seconds. This innovation is crucial in regions where cash remains dominant, and card penetration is limited.
By offering seamless, fast, and secure payment options, RTP supports financial inclusion, accelerates eCommerce adoption, and builds greater consumer confidence across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Regional leaders driving RTP innovation
A number of regional real-time payment (RTP) systems have taken center stage, each designed to meet the unique demands of their local markets:
- Brazil’s Pix has become more than just a payment method—it's a daily habit for over 175M users who send instant payments using phone numbers or QR codes. With the introduction of Pix Automático, scheduled payments like bills and subscriptions are now effortless, marking a significant leap in convenience in a market still adapting to digital finance.
- India’s UPI (Unified Payments Interface) handles billions of real-time transactions every month. It powers more than half of India’s eCommerce payments and extends far beyond major metros, reaching millions of users in smaller cities and rural towns. Apps such as Google Pay and PhonePe thrive on UPI’s open system, transforming how India pays.
- Egypt’s InstaPay is championing inclusion by enabling instant transfers between banks—even in less urbanized areas. With over 12 million users, it supports remittances and everyday commerce with simplicity and speed.
- Bre-B in Colombia highlights how real-time payment systems are evolving—delivering fast, secure, and transparent transfers tailored to local needs.
Other emerging markets like Mexico (SPEI), Kenya (PesaLink), South Africa (PayShap), Pakistan (Raast), and Indonesia (BI-FAST) are rapidly building their RTP systems, all driving toward the same goal: making payments faster, easier, and more accessible.
Data Insight: The growing impact
By 2027, over 70% of all global transactions are expected to be instant payments, fueled by platforms like Pix and UPI. This rapid growth is driving digital financial inclusion and replacing cash with faster, safer alternatives across emerging markets.
Source: PCMI
Driving digital growth and inclusion
Real-time payments serve as a catalyst for digital economy acceleration in emerging markets by:
- Bridging the gap to digital finance: RTP connects directly to users’ bank accounts and mobile wallets, bypassing card networks and cash dependence.
- Supporting mobile-first lifestyles: With high smartphone penetration, consumers can transact securely anytime, anywhere.
- Improving transparency and trust: Instant confirmation reduces payment uncertainties and fraud risk.
- Enabling businesses to scale: Faster settlements improve cash flow for merchants and vendors, accelerating economic activity.
"Emerging markets increasingly demand real-time payment systems that deliver the speed and simplicity vital to the digital economy. This growing momentum drives the industry to innovate rapidly, expand infrastructure, and equip businesses with secure, scalable tools—transforming how payments happen and unlocking new growth opportunities."
— Sofia Posada, Head of APMs at dLocal
The road ahead
The future of payments in emerging markets relies on regulatory frameworks, fintech innovation, and widespread adoption. Governments and regulators are fostering innovation by updating frameworks that promote safer, faster, and more accessible financial ecosystems.
Meanwhile, fintech companies are creating solutions tailored to local realities. Businesses that embrace real-time payments today will stand out in the digital economy, prepared to meet consumer expectations and unlock new opportunities for growth.
Beyond speed, real-time payments are reshaping consumer behavior, driving digital inclusion, and fueling economic development across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. As these regions advance, RTP will remain key to delivering secure, seamless, and accessible financial experiences.
Real-time payments are no longer just about speed—they’re reshaping how people and businesses interact with money, driving inclusion and powering the next wave of digital growth in emerging markets.
What’s next in this series
Our upcoming blogs break down payments by region—exploring Asia’s instant payment foundations, Africa’s mobile money networks, the Middle East’s customer preferences, and LATAM’s hybrid ecosystems—offering strategies from dLocal’s Emerging Markets Payments Handbook 2025.
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