ATMIA: Driving Transformation with Partnerships and Cash in Europe & Emerging Markets

As we enter the second half of 2025, ATMIA is actively shaping the future of financial access across Europe, Africa, India, and the Middle East. Our core strategy hinges on strong partnerships and the enduring importance of cash.

Europe: Uniting for Cash as a Right

In Europe, ATMIA is actively engaging with stakeholders across the EU as legislation to safeguard access to and acceptance of cash takes shape. With the European Commission proposing a legal framework in 2023 to preserve cash infrastructure, ATMIA has played a pivotal role in amplifying the message that cash is not a relic — it's a right.

Across countries like Sweden, Germany, and Spain, partnerships with banks, service providers, and policy influencers have ensured that rural and underserved populations remain connected to the cash ecosystem. ATMIA’s advocacy and research continue to support the idea that a resilient payments system must include physical money — not just as a backup, but as a deliberate and permanent part of the financial landscape.

The upcoming ATMIA Europe & Emerging Markets Summit in October 2025 in London will further solidify these partnerships, featuring sessions with representatives from the Deutsche Bundesbank and the ECB, highlighting the ongoing dialogue and commitment to cash within the Eurozone.

Emerging Markets: Cash as a Catalyst for Inclusion

In Africa, India, and the Middle East, cash remains a vital enabler of economic participation and financial inclusion. Despite the rise of digital payments, cash is the bedrock for daily commerce, especially where digital infrastructure or trust is still maturing.

ATMIA is forging strategic partnerships with local operators, technology vendors, and financial institutions to expand robust ATM networks. These collaborations empower communities with reliable, secure, and accessible cash services that complement, rather than compete with, digital innovation. From hybrid models in India linking digital onboarding to cash access, to building future-ready infrastructure in Africa and the Middle East, our partnerships are fostering inclusive growth.

Partnerships: The Core of Our Strategy

Collaboration is at the heart of ATMIA’s impact. Across these regions, we unite diverse stakeholders—banks, independent deployers, central banks, non-government organizations, and regulators—to shape policies that prioritize payment choice and financial inclusion. Through shared resources, working groups, and events like our upcoming Summit, we ensure our members stay ahead of regulatory and technological shifts.

Looking Ahead: Multi-Rail Payments for All

ATMIA’s 2025 strategy reasserts our vision: a world where everyone has the freedom to choose how they pay. In Europe and Emerging Markets, this means advocating for multi-rail payment ecosystems where cash, cards, mobile money, and digital wallets coexist harmoniously. As regulatory momentum builds and industry collaboration deepens, the last six months of 2025 marks a pivotal phase for ATMIA's transformative work.

Warm regards,
Erika