Niger shifts to digital payments for vaccination campaign workers

During the national polio immunization days held in April 2026, the Niamey region reached a significant milestone by implementing a digital payment system for healthcare professionals and community mobilizers. With technical guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) in Niger, more than 1,200 participants received their compensation via mobile transfers, successfully replacing the previous cash-based methods.

Enhanced efficiency and financial transparency

This technological transition proved highly effective, with 99% of all payments being processed within 48 hours of the campaign’s conclusion. Funds were deposited directly into the mobile accounts of the recipients, ensuring a seamless experience. The new system has drastically improved the traceability of financial flows, shortened payment cycles, and removed the heavy logistical burden associated with physical cash management. Any minor technical issues related to digital tools or data entry were quickly resolved through the support provided by WHO Niger.

Building a sustainable digital ecosystem

The success of this initiative was made possible by extensive preparation. Between September 29 and October 3, 2025, WHO Niger hosted a specialized workshop to strengthen digital payment capacities for national and local health stakeholders. Facilitated by experts from the WHO Regional Office for Africa, this session helped the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene design and plan the framework for a nationwide electronic payment infrastructure.

Impact on public health performance

Transitioning to digital compensation for health workers is a fundamental strategy for increasing accountability and operational performance in public health. By ensuring that field teams are paid quickly and securely, the system boosts motivation and improves the overall quality of health interventions. Following the positive results in Niamey, this model is expected to be scaled up across Niger and integrated into other health campaigns, demonstrating WHO Niger‘s dedication to achieving measurable progress on the ground.