Central bank launches ‘Ratbak Lahzi’ to modernise salary payments

The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) has officially launched its long-anticipated “Ratbak Lahzi” (Your Instant Salary) payment platform, marking a major step forward in the country’s digital transformation drive.

Governor Naji Mohammed Issa announced the launch at a ceremony in Tripoli, attended by senior officials including Finance Minister Khaled Al-Mabrouk Abdullah. He confirmed that salaries for nearly 950,000 public sector employees would be transferred directly to their commercial bank accounts via the new platform, with all September payments guaranteed to be available by Tuesday morning at the latest.

“This is a transformative step for Libya’s financial system,” Mr Issa said. “The new mechanism ensures that salaries are credited instantly, reducing procedural delays and enhancing transparency and efficiency in payroll operations.”

As part of the rollout, the CBL has begun sending SMS notifications to employees, informing them when their salaries have been deposited. An online verification portal has also been launched, allowing staff to check the status of their salaries and identify the receiving bank.

The governor urged all government entities to complete and submit their payroll data without delay to ensure that September salaries are fully processed via the platform. He also expressed hope that all future public sector wages will be paid exclusively through this modernised electronic system.

The “Ratbak Lahzi” initiative is a key part of the CBL’s digital transformation strategy and its efforts to strengthen electronic payment services across Libya. The platform was developed in coordination with the Ministry of Finance and leverages the Central Bank’s instant payment network to ensure salaries are distributed equitably and efficiently nationwide.

Officials say the launch reflects a broader push to modernise Libya’s financial infrastructure and streamline payment systems, improving trust and accessibility for citizens and government employees alike.

The project’s completion follows weeks of technical preparations and data integration between commercial banks, payroll departments, and the Ministry of Finance.

Authorities believe the initiative will not only simplify salary disbursement but also support transparency and stability in Libya’s banking sector.