pedrojoao950/PalancaPay

PalancaPay is a privacy-respecting, open-source micro-payment system for informal businesses in Angola, built using GNU Taler. Designed for unbanked and under-connected communities, it enables fast, offline-capable digital transactions in the local currency (AOA), promoting inclusion, transparency, and data sovereignty. # PalancaPay **Privacy-Preserving Digital Micro-Payments for Informal Businesses in Angola** PalancaPay is an open-source initiative based on GNU Taler that provides secure, offline-capable micro-payments tailored for Angola’s informal economy. The project promotes financial inclusion, data sovereignty, and transparency using free software principles. ## Project Overview - **Technology**: GNU Taler, Android, REST APIs - **Target Users**: Informal vendors, unbanked youth, women-led cooperatives - **Languages**: English, Portuguese (future versions: Kimbundu, Umbundu) - **License**: AGPLv3 (code), CC BY-SA (docs) ## Components - Mobile wallet app (PalancaPay) - Localized GNU Taler backend (AOA currency) - Vendor interface (QR/NFC-based) - Community proxy server (offline sync) - Documentation and open datasets ## Roadmap (6 months) 1. **Month 1**: Requirements gathering, backend setup 2. **Month 2**: Backend localization and app prototype 3. **Month 3**: Proxy server and vendor interface 4. **Month 4**: Community engagement and pilot launch 5. **Month 5**: Usability testing and iteration 6. **Month 6**: Reporting, publishing, and dissemination ## Repository Structure - `/app/`: Android client source code - `/backend/`: GNU Taler config and modules - `/docs/`: Technical documentation and user manuals - `/data/`: Anonymized pilot results and impact metrics ## Contact - Lead: Pedro António Joaquim João - Institution: Higher Polytechnic Institute of Cuanza Sul (ISPCS) – Angola - Email: pedro.joao@ispcs.ao - Website: ispcs.ao --- ## 📄 Repository Description **PalancaPay** is a privacy-respecting, open-source micro-payment system for informal businesses in Angola, built using GNU Taler. Designed for unbanked and under-connected communities, it enables fast, offline-capable digital transactions in the local currency (AOA), promoting inclusion, transparency, and data sovereignty. 🦄 **First GNU Taler deployment in Lusophone Africa** 🔐 **Payer privacy by …