Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus has awarded a contract for the management of government electronic payment services to VivaBank Single-Member Banking Company S.A., concluding a tender process that lasted nearly four years and involved several legal appeals.
Procurement process
The tender for electronic transaction processing services for the government was launched on January 7, 2022. According to Philenews, the Tenders Review Authority noted the unusually long duration of the procurement procedure.
The process was subject to a series of appeals before the authority, some of which were upheld while others were rejected.
Latest appeal dismissed
The latest appeal related to the procurement was dismissed on July 15, 2026, clearing the way for the contract award to proceed.
The Tenders Review Authority’s decision rejected the legal challenge against the award to VivaBank.
Government payment services
JCC Payment Systems Ltd had managed the government’s electronic payment service since 2010. The platform enabled citizens and businesses to make online and card payments for government services.
Payments processed through the service included direct taxes, outstanding obligations to the state, vehicle licence renewals, social insurance contributions, traffic fines, fixed penalties and other government fees.
JCC was also used for municipal payments, including sewerage charges, water bills and immovable property charges.