# Samoa — payment codes and schemes

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

## Summary

- **SATS** digital payment system
- **MyCash** Digicel #1 wallet
- **QuickPay QR** credit card
- **50% unbanked** population
- **IFC/World Bank** support

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** Central Bank of Samoa
- **Website:** https://www.cbs.gov.ws/
- **Role:** Monetary policy, payment systems

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|------|-----------|------|------------------|
| 1 | ANZ Samoa | International | ANZ App |
| 2 | BSP Samoa | Regional | BSP App |
| 3 | National Bank of Samoa | Local | NBS Mobile |
| 4 | Samoa Commercial Bank | Local | SCB App |

### Market Structure
- **Cash dominant:** Primary method
- **SATS:** New infrastructure
- **MyCash:** Mobile wallet leader
- **Tourism:** Payment driver

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| SATS | CBS | Real-time | Active |
| MyCash | Digicel | Mobile wallet | Active |
| Samoa Payments | Private | Gateway | Active |
| Card networks | Visa/MC | Cards | Growing |

### SATS Platform
- Samoa Automated Transfer System
- Real-time interbank settlement
- Replaced manual cheque clearing
- IFC/World Bank support
- Australia/NZ government funding

### Financial Inclusion
- 50% without bank accounts
- Limited formal services
- Digital solution needed
- Infrastructure developing

---

## QR code standards

### MyCash QR

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Provider** | Digicel |
| **Feature** | QR Pay |
| **Status** | #1 wallet |
| **Type** | Mobile money |

### MyCash QR Features
- Fast, reliable, safe
- Merchant payments
- Transaction history
- Withdraw funds
- Top-up phone

### Samoa Payments QR

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Provider** | Samoa Payments |
| **Feature** | QuickPay QR |
| **Type** | Credit card |
| **Use** | Face-to-face |

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | QR | Features |
|-----|----------|-------|----------|
| MyCash | Digicel | Yes | Full wallet |
| Bank Apps | Banks | Limited | Banking |
| Samoa Payments | Gateway | Yes | Merchant |

### MyCash Features
- Country's #1 wallet
- QR Pay function
- P2P transfers
- Bill payments
- Seamless withdrawals

### Samoa Payments Tools
- BuyNow Links
- Online invoicing
- Fundraiser pages
- QR Codes
- Credit card accept

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [MyCash QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/WS/mycash-qr) | Mobile | Digicel | #1 wallet | [`mycash`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/mycash) |
| [QuickPay QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/WS/quickpay-qr) | Gateway | Merchants | Active | [`quickpay-qr`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/quickpay-qr) |
| [SATS](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/WS/sats) | Real-time | CBS | Active | [`sats`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/sats) |

## Sources

- [IFC - Samoa Digital Payment](https://www.ifc.org/en/pressroom/2023/samoa-s-new-digital-payment-system-to-boost-financial-inclusion)
- [Digicel Pacific - MyCash](https://www.digicelpacific.com/mobile/ws/promotions/my-cash)
- [Samoa Payments](https://samoapayments.com/)
- [Novalnet - Samoa](https://www.novalnet.com/payment-countries/samoa/)

## Full country report

[WS-samoa.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/WS)