Countdown to ICCOS EMEA 2026: Cape Town Sets the Stage for the Future of Cash

From 30 November to 2 December 2026, Cape Town will host the EMEA Cash Cycle Seminar (ICCOS), bringing together central banks, commercial banks, ATM operators, cash management companies, technology providers, and other stakeholders from across the cash and payments ecosystem.

Organised by Currency Research at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, this year's event will focus on “Resilient, Inclusive, and Future-Ready: Shaping the EMEA Cash Ecosystem.” The theme reflects the growing importance of maintaining sustainable and accessible cash infrastructure alongside the expansion of digital payments.

For ATMIA, ICCOS provides an opportunity to strengthen engagement with members and industry stakeholders across Africa while contributing to the wider conversation on the future of cash access.

Putting ATM Access in Focus

As part of the programme, ATMIA is collaborating with the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to deliver an interactive workshop entitled “The Economics of Access: Rethinking the Role of the ATM in a Hybrid Payments Economy.”

The workshop will explore how the ATM industry can respond to changing payment habits, increasing operational pressures, and the need to maintain reliable access to cash.

Across African markets, the challenges facing ATM operators vary considerably. While urban locations may benefit from established infrastructure and higher transaction volumes, rural and underserved communities often face very different economic and operational realities.

Maintaining ATM services in these communities can involve significant costs relating to cash replenishment, security, connectivity, power, and maintenance. Yet access to cash and basic financial services remains essential for many consumers and businesses.

The workshop will consider how existing ATM models can evolve through technological innovation, improved operational efficiency, new services, and greater industry collaboration.

Bringing Industry Perspectives Together

Working with SARB and regional stakeholders, ATMIA is engaging with banks, ATM deployers, and other industry participants to encourage a broad exchange of experience and ideas.

The workshop will combine short industry presentations, a moderated panel discussion, and interactive roundtables, giving participants an opportunity to explore practical challenges and identify potential solutions.

The discussions will focus on ATM estate economics, extending access to underserved communities, infrastructure resilience, and the evolving role of ATM technology.

Importantly, the aim is to move beyond identifying challenges and towards developing practical insights and recommendations that can inform future industry dialogue.

Join the Conversation in Cape Town

The future of ATM and cash access will depend on how effectively the industry balances commercial sustainability with financial inclusion, resilience and consumer choice.

For ATMIA, these priorities remain central to its advocacy for payment choice and continued access to cash.

ICCOS EMEA provides a valuable platform for bringing different perspectives together and exploring how the industry can respond to changing market needs.

ATMIA encourages members, financial institutions, and other stakeholders across Africa and the wider EMEA region to attend ICCOS and contribute to the conversation.

We look forward to seeing you in Cape Town.

ICCOS EMEA 2026 | Cape Town, South Africa
30 November–2 December 2026
Cape Town International Convention Centre

Event information and registration:
https://currencyresearch.com/the-emea-cash-cycle-seminar-iccos/