Wrap-up
Discover the key take-aways and the replay (link) of our recent panel on how nexo standards streamline certification processes and enhance interoperability in the payment ecosystem.
The webinar took place last February 20 was moderated by Arnaud Crouzet, President of EESTEL, gathered a panel of industry experts :
- Jacques Soussana, Secretary-General, nexo standards
- Mohamed El Yakhlifi, President, AFSOL
- Jérôme Daumas, Independent Consultant, Payment & Smart Cards Expert
- Raphaël Guilley, Senior Vice President Consulting, Fime
The Role of nexo in Payment Certifications
The discussion began with Jacques Soussana outlining the mission of nexo standards. As a non-profit association, nexo standards aims to define, publish and promote open standards for payment interoperability worldwide. « We simplify how payment acceptance is implemented everywhere, not just in Europe, » he emphasized. With over 104 members spanning the entire payment ecosystem—including vendors, PSPs, card schemes, merchants, and processors—nexo standards plays a crucial role in standardizing payment acceptance technologies.
Why Choose nexo standards? Insights from Industry Leaders
Mohamed El Yakhlifi of AFSOL, a long-time nexo standards advocate, explained why his company adopted nexo standards early on. « We process over 600 million nexo transactions per year since 2015, » he stated. The five key benefits of nexo standards, according to him, include:
- Independence from hardware, software, and service providers
- Cross-border compatibility
- Freedom to challenge suppliers and secure better pricing
- Reduced costs and operational efficiencies
- Faster time-to-market for merchants operating across multiple regions
Simplifying Certification with nexo Tools
One of the most significant advantages of nexo standards is its approach to testing and certification. Jérôme Daumas, responsible for nexo test plans, highlighted how nexo standards offers modular, machine-readable test plans that help stakeholders streamline certification with schemes like Visa, Mastercard, and CB. « Our test plans contain over 1,300 test cases, covering everything from low-level compliance to high-level application validation, » he explained.
This structured approach reduces complexity and accelerates time-to-market. « With nexo standards, implementing a new functionality or integrating scheme-specific test plans—such as Amex Level 3—becomes seamless, » Daumas added.
Market Expectations: The Drive for Faster, More Flexible Testing
Raphaël Guilley of Fime noted that industry players view certification as a necessary but cumbersome process. « Merchants, PSPs, and acquirers want more flexibility, faster launches, and vendor independence, » he observed. To address these needs for nexo standards, Fime has implemented cloud-based testing tools and automated certification processes, reducing testing cycles from months to hours. « With machine-readable test plans and cloud-based tools, updates are immediate, reducing integration delays and improving efficiency, » he said.
Global Adoption of nexo standards and Future Perspectives
Despite nexo standards’ widespread adoption in regions like Africa and the Nordics, its presence in some European markets remains limited. Mohamed El Yakhlifi attributed this to a lack of understanding and resistance from legacy players seeking to maintain their market dominance. « ISO 8583 is 40 years old. It was created in an era when data storage was expensive. Today, we need modern, open protocols like nexo, based on ISO 20022, » he insisted.
From a global perspective, nexo is expanding rapidly. « In Saudi Arabia, over 1.5 million terminals use nexo for TMS (Terminal Management System), yet many are unaware of it, » noted Raphaël Guilley. The panel agreed that better communication and visibility are needed to showcase nexo’s real-world impact.
Future Innovations: Beyond Card Payments
Looking ahead, Jacques Soussana outlined nexo’s evolution beyond traditional card payments. Upcoming developments include:
- Instant Payments / Instant Credit Transfers – Enhancing real-time payment acceptance
- Mobile QR Code Payments – Expanding digital and contactless transactions
- Digital Euro & CBDCs – Aligning with emerging central bank digital currencies
- API Standardization – Advocating for a unified API approach within ISO 20022
« nexo is not just about cards. We are shaping the future of payments, from instant payments to digital identity solutions, » Jacques Soussana concluded.
The Call for Standardization and Openness
The webinar wrapped up with a call to action for European stakeholders. Mohamed El Yakhlifi urged industry leaders to embrace open standards: « Europe has a single currency and harmonized regulations, yet we still have fragmented payment protocols. It’s time to unify under an open, modern standard like nexo.«
The panellists agreed that the industry must shift from proprietary, outdated protocols to flexible, open standards that enable innovation, reduce costs, and accelerate time-to-market.
Final Thoughts:
Arnaud Crouzet outlines the main topics addressed during the webinar:
- nexo simplifies payment certifications, ensuring faster, smoother, and cost-effective compliance with global schemes.
- Machine-readable test plans and cloud-based tools significantly improve efficiency.
- Global adoption is rising, and Europe needs to accelerate its transition.
- nexo supports future payment trends, making it a strategic choice for businesses looking to innovate.
He concludes: “nexo is not just a standard—it’s a gateway to the future of seamless, interoperable payments.”