Digital Financial Services Pte Limited’s (DFS) M-PAiSA mobile wallet platform won the PayTech of the Year Award category at the Asia FinTech Awards 2026 in Singapore over the weekend.
The award recognises excellence, innovation, and impact among the region’s leading financial technology providers.
DFS general manager Shailendra Prasad said to be recognised among Asia’s fintech industry stalwarts was a tremendous honour.
He said as a company from a small Pacific island nation, the award demonstrated that innovation was not defined by the size of the market, but rather by the impact it has on people’s lives.
Mr Prasad acknowledged and dedicated the award to their M-PAISA customers.
He acknowledged the teams, business partners, merchants, agents and technology providers for their patronage and believing in the vision of a platform that now served hundreds of thousands of Fijians every day.
He also acknowledged the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) and the wider regulatory community.
“Progressive regulation and collaboration have played a critical role in enabling innovation while maintaining trust and security within the financial system,” Mr Prasad said in his acceptance remark.
“Over the years, we have remained committed to innovation and to pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
“We persevered, we tried and we tried until we got it right.”
Mr Prasad said what made them most proud was not the technology itself but the impact.
“It is the rural farmer or the fisherman across the seas who can accept digital payments instantly without needing a traditional banking relationship. It is the woman entrepreneur who now has greater control over her finances to grow her business. It is the family member overseas who can send money home to loved ones in seconds from over 94 countries.”
He said the was the true meaning of financial inclusion.
“As we celebrate tonight, we recognise that this award is not the destination. It is a reminder that innovation must continue.
“There are still communities to serve, barriers to remove and opportunities to create.
“We remain committed to building solutions that empower people, strengthen businesses, promote inclusion, and contribute to economic growth across Fiji and the Pacific.”
