In the majority of Districts, payment processes for the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) are manual e.g. over-the-counter payments at dedicated pay points. District teams communicate a day, every two months, for cash distribution. Recipients then travel to collect their cash in-person (or using a designated representative for their household). National ID numbers, fingerprinting and checking of programme documents are used to ensure distribution goes to the correct recipient.

As of September 2022, six Districts are using e-payments for cash transfer delivery:

The below photos show the official launch of e-payments in Thyolo by Hon. Dr Patricia Annie Kaliati, Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, in May 2022:

The two Irish Aid Districts (Balaka and Ntcheu) are in the process of re-procuring services for e-payments for cash transfers.

The fourteen KfW and EU funded Districts are hoping to transition to e-payments shortly.

It is hoped by mid-end 2023 that all 28 Districts will be using e-payments to pay cash transfers, so that there are no manual payments for the SCTP going forward.