Treasury Priorities for Multinational Corporations - Middle East and Africa

Treasury Priorities for Multinational Corporations | 35 Treasury technologies drivers 16% 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% Instant Payments On demand account and payment information delivered via API Real time liquidity Other 15% 9% 8% 1% processing, automate treasury operations, improve invoice matching and reporting, and crucially, bolster fraud detection and prevention capabilities. Ultimately, this unified interest reflects a strategic mandate to transition towards financial management that is not just smarter and more efficient, but fundamentally resilient and protected through AI innovation. Drivers for adopting treasury technologies The adoption of instant payments is forcing a fundamental evolution in corporate treasury, shifting it from a cost center to a strategic value creator. This transition is driven by the need for system upgrades to handle real-time transaction pressures and unlocks new opportunities through data. Core Drivers and Strategic Shifts As the results shows, the move to instant payments creates a “critical imperative for rapid transaction processing.” This necessitates a strategic shift towards: • Real-Time, API-Driven Technology: Legacy batch-processing systems cannot handle 24/7 payment flows. This pressure drives investment in modern, API-driven treasury systems that provide real-time liquidity visibility and automated data exchange between banks and a company’s ERP. • Data-Rich Transactions: Modern payment standards like ISO 20022 are crucial. They allow payments to carry structured data, such as invoice numbers and remittance details, directly within the transaction. Unlocking Value fromData: This enhanced data capability transforms treasury’s role by enabling: • Value Chain Optimization: Sending data- rich payments to suppliers allows for automated reconciliation, reducing errors and strengthening partner relationships. This creates a more efficient and transparent ecosystem for both customers and suppliers. • Data Monetization: Treasury can leverage real-time data to create measurable economic benefits. This is achieved not by selling raw data, but by using insights to improve processes and offer new services. In short, instant payments are the trigger for a necessary technological and strategic upgrade. This evolution allows treasury to enhance operational efficiency, optimize the entire value chain, and generate new revenue streams, solidifying its position as a key strategic partner in the business.