# Vanuatu — payment codes and schemes

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/VU
> extracted at 2026-10-03
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

## Summary

- **M-Vatu** first QR in Vanuatu (Vodafone)
- **MyCash** Digicel #1 wallet
- **Two MNOs** mobile money providers
- **Siloed systems** not connected
- **UNCDF** development support

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** Reserve Bank of Vanuatu
- **Website:** https://www.rbv.gov.vu/
- **Role:** Monetary policy, financial regulation

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|------|-----------|------|------------------|
| 1 | ANZ Vanuatu | International | ANZ App |
| 2 | BSP Vanuatu | Regional | BSP App |
| 3 | National Bank of Vanuatu | Local | NBV Mobile |
| 4 | Bred Bank | French | Bred App |

### Market Structure
- **Cash dominant:** Primary method
- **Two MNOs:** Digicel, Vodafone
- **MyCash/M-Vatu:** Mobile money
- **Siloed:** Not interoperable

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| MyCash | Digicel | Mobile money | Active |
| M-Vatu | Vodafone | Mobile money | Active |
| Bank transfers | Banks | Wire | Active |
| Card networks | Visa/MC | Cards | Limited |

### Mobile Money Providers
- MyCash (Digicel) - 2018/19 relaunch
- M-Vatu (Vodafone) - 2019 launch
- First QR: Vodafone M-Vatu
- Not interoperable with banks

### UNCDF Support
- Agent network building
- Viability improvements
- Financial inclusion focus
- Three critical challenges

---

## QR code standards

### M-Vatu QR (First)

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Provider** | Vodafone |
| **Feature** | First QR in Vanuatu |
| **Partners** | Utilities, schools, merchants |
| **Status** | Active |

### MyCash QR

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Provider** | Digicel |
| **Feature** | Scan to Pay |
| **Claim** | #1 digital wallet |
| **App-only** | QR features |

### QR Payment Flow
- Merchant QR displayed
- Customer scans code
- Amount entered
- Payment confirmed
- App-based only

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | QR | Features |
|-----|----------|-------|----------|
| MyCash | Digicel | Yes | Full wallet |
| M-Vatu | Vodafone | Yes | Full wallet |
| NBV Mobile | NBV | Limited | Banking |

### MyCash Features
- QR Pay (fast, reliable, safe)
- P2P transfers
- Bill payments
- Agent services
- Transaction tracking

### M-Vatu Features
- First QR in Vanuatu
- Utility payments
- School fees
- Merchant payments
- Supermarkets enabled

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [MyCash QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/VU/mycash-qr) | Mobile | Digicel | #1 wallet | [`mycash`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/mycash) |
| [M-Vatu QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/VU/m-vatu-qr) | Mobile | Vodafone | First QR | [`m-vatu`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/m-vatu) |
| [Bank transfers](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/VU/bank-transfers) | Wire | Banks | Active | — |

## Sources

- [MyCash Vanuatu](https://mycash.vu/)
- [UNCDF - Mobile Money Vanuatu](https://www.uncdf.org/article/8730/mobile-financial-services-in-vanuatu-three-critical-challenges-and-how-to-solve-them)
- [Digicel Pacific - MyCash](https://www.digicelpacific.com/mobile/vu/promotions/update-yourmycashapp)
- [UNCDF - Unleashing Potential](https://www.uncdf.org/article/8403/unleashing-the-potential-of-mobile-money-in-vanuatu)

## Full country report

[VU-vanuatu.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/VU)