Fintech executive and digital transformation advocate Dr. Folasade Femi-Lawal has highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in reshaping the future of digital payments, noting that transactions are increasingly being initiated by intelligent systems rather than humans alone.
Speaking on recent developments in the payments ecosystem, Femi-Lawal pointed to Mastercard Agent Pay, a solution piloted in early 2026 that enables AI agents to securely initiate and complete transactions on behalf of users.
According to her, the significance of the innovation lies in the infrastructure supporting it. The platform incorporates mechanisms for agent verification, transaction authentication, and risk-management controls designed to ensure trust and security in autonomous payment processes.
Femi-Lawal noted that the technology presents new opportunities for merchants and financial institutions by enabling routine commercial activities—such as bookings, purchasing, and inventory replenishment—to be executed autonomously.
She added that the development reflects a broader shift toward an AI-driven economy, where organisations are increasingly expected to adopt systems capable of supporting automated decision-making and transactions at scale.
While automation remains a key feature of the technology, Femi-Lawal stressed that the greater challenge lies in building trust and accountability into autonomous financial interactions.
She concluded by urging organisations to assess their readiness for the evolving digital landscape, noting that the critical question is no longer whether autonomous commerce will emerge, but how prepared businesses are to embrace it.