Governments can no longer afford to ignore digital transformation, particularly when it comes to social programs. The numbers tell a compelling story: worldwide investment in digital transformation is expected to reach nearly $4 trillion by 2027, with spending reaching $1.85 trillion in 2023. However, despite this unprecedented investment, 1.4 billion adults worldwide do not have access to formal financial services, and 75% of the poor do not have access to a bank account. 35% of adults in low-income nations opened their first bank account in order to qualify for government assistance. By digitizing these payments, governments could save up to 1.1% of GDP annually, which would enable them to reach more citizens more quickly. One Central Asian government* faced this exact challenge head-on. The stakes couldn’t have been higher when they decided to implement an ambitious national social assistance program. *We are unable to reveal the country’s name because of NDA restrictions. However, we believe that any government or institution attempting to modernize the infrastructure for social payments on a large scale can benefit from the information in this case study. The purpose? Here’s the story of how SDK.finance became the cornerstone of this transformative initiative, setting a new standard for government-issued payment solutions in the region.
Building a lifeline for billions is the challenge. The concept was bold: Establish a comprehensive social assistance system that would provide those most in need with a financial lifeline. Nine distinct categories of beneficiaries were the goal of the program, including: Individuals with disabilities who require individualized care Families with low incomes struggling to meet basic needs pensioners who rely on regular income
Unemployed individuals seeking temporary assistance
Parents and guardians receiving child support
Patients who require financial assistance related to healthcare Students taking advantage of educational grants Households needing housing subsidies
Citizens facing emergencies requiring immediate help
This was not an easy task. The government needed a method of payment that could: Securely manage sensitive financial transactions Serve millions of citizens simultaneously
seamlessly integrate with existing banking systems and databases Real-time transaction processing Furthermore, the solution had to comply with PCI DSS Level 1 compliance, the most stringent global security standard, to guarantee that each transaction was fully safeguarded. Why SDK.finance? Three advantages that change the game The government chose SDK.finance after conducting thorough research for months. Three factors tipped the scales in their favour:
1. Uncompromising security: PCI DSS level 1 certification
Security is the foundation of any national payment system, and SDK.finance delivered on this front admirably. Our PCI DSS Level 1 Service Provider certification – the gold standard in payment data protection – gave government officials confidence that the platform could handle the immense responsibility of safeguarding millions of citizens’ financial information.
This is more than a badge. To keep up with PCI DSS Level 1, thorough audits, constant monitoring, and adherence to the industry’s strictest protocols are necessary. For a government dealing with sensitive social program funds, anything less was simply not an option.
2. License for source code: a new definition of independence and control
The source code license of SDK.finance was what really set it apart. Few providers in the market offer this level of access and flexibility. For the government, this meant:
Full control: Their technical teams could adapt, customize, and evolve the platform as national priorities changed.
No vendor Lock-in: Unlike SaaS models, which tie organizations to ongoing contracts and external dependencies, the source code license ensured independence.
Future-proofing: With direct access to the codebase, the system could be maintained and updated internally, helping them stay compliant with local and international regulations.
Savings in the long run: Despite the higher initial cost, the elimination of recurring licensing fees and scaling expenses promised substantial savings in the long run. This level of autonomy was a strategic win in a world where digital sovereignty is becoming a top priority.
3. Proven scalability and technical excellence
SDK.finance’s track record demonstrated its ability to perform under extreme pressure, which was needed by the government. The platform was designed for environments with high demand because it has a modular architecture, an API-first design, and the capacity to process more than 2,700 transactions per second. The solution: a functioning national payment ecosystem Leveraging SDK.finance’s source code license, the government’s technical team built a comprehensive solution tailored to their specific national requirements. The entire system was developed and launched in just six months, a timeframe that would have been impossible with traditional vendor-dependent models. This strategy provided advantages in speed-to-market that were unprecedented. Without having to wait for modifications from external vendors, the government developers were able to customize core functionalities, seamlessly integrate with national infrastructure, and implement country-specific compliance requirements thanks to access to the source code. In addition to expediting deployment, this self-reliant development strategy ensured that the system met precise government specifications from day one.
How Social Payment Cards Work?
Secure card issuance
Citizens received their social benefit cards at government service centres, with built-in KYC (Know Your Customer) checks ensuring each card was securely issued and activated.
Multi-benefit distribution
The platform handled each of the nine categories of social benefits with ease. Whether it was a pension payment, child support allowance, or emergency relief, funds were distributed seamlessly through a unified system.
Universal payment capabilities
Cardholders could make in-store and online purchases, as well as pay for public services, with their benefits. Thanks to tight integration with the national payment infrastructure, acceptance was widespread across merchants.
new features for government surveillance Multi-bank integration for flexible fund settlement
for the transparent tracking of public funds, thorough audit trails Access controls based on roles to protect sensitive data a layer of APIs for seamless system integration Auto-scaling capabilities to manage surges in demand
Real-time transaction processing meant beneficiaries didn’t have to wait for access to critical funds, an essential feature in times of crisis.
The impact: a new era of social service delivery
The outcomes were revolutionary: For citizens
Immediate access to social funds via secure, government-issued cards
benefits of being able to spend easily in stores and online Transparency in statements and mobile apps Faster, less bureaucratic access to support programs
Greater financial inclusion for groups that are underserved For the government
Lower administrative costs through automation
robust reporting tools and full visibility into fund distribution Real-time monitoring for improved program oversight
Infrastructure that is ready to scale and support future projects Elevated public trust in government services
Setting a standard for the region This Central Asian government not only modernized its social assistance program by collaborating with SDK.finance, but it also established a new standard for digital service delivery in the region. The initiative now serves as a model for other nations that want to build payment infrastructures that combine sovereignty, scalability, and security. Are you ready to revamp your financial services? This program’s success demonstrates what governments can accomplish with the right partner. SDK.finance brings together:
high-level security for businesses total control through source code licensing
the technical know-how to manage deployments on a national scale. SDK.finance provides the foundation for secure, scalable, and adaptable solutions that can be used for any purpose, including the creation of new citizen services, revamping your nation’s financial infrastructure, or planning a benefit program. Want to explore how SDK.finance can help your organization? Get in touch with our experts today.
The actual implementation of SDK.finance’s platform for a national social benefit card program serves as the basis for this case study. It highlights how advanced technology and strategic vision can work hand in hand to deliver life-changing results.
