Almaviva & Fabrick to develop ECB’s Digital Euro app, EUR €153M deal
Almaviva and Fabrick have been chosen by the European Central Bank to develop the mobile application and technology backbone for access to the Digital Euro for all European Union citizens.
The two Italian companies will be responsible for providing the software and infrastructure that underpins the Digital Euro initiative. The app, designed to support digital payments, is expected to provide a uniform and secure experience, accessible across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.
Contract details
The contract, issued as a temporary joint venture following a tender process open only to European firms, will initially last for four years. It can be extended up to a total of ten years, with the framework agreement valued at approximately EUR €153 million. The first two years will focus on the development phase of the Digital Euro, along with a staggered rollout of use cases. The subsequent two years are intended to finalise the development and secure stable operations. If extended, the contract will cover the completion of all functionalities, scaling to support user growth, and the ongoing provision of support and maintenance services.
Technology and integration
Almaviva and Fabrick's role will include building an infrastructure with open and interoperable features. Software development kits (SDKs) and application programming interfaces (APIs) will be developed to facilitate seamless integration between European Payment Service Providers and the Digital Euro platform.
The official digital euro app will be identical for all participating EU countries and designed for electronic payments in physical shops, online, or between individuals.
According to project details, the software will allow a uniform access method for all users, aiming to complement the continued use of physical cash while reinforcing financial inclusion throughout the euro area. The infrastructure is also expected to improve the efficiency and resilience of the European payments landscape while strengthening monetary sovereignty and autonomy.
Project objectives
The project, managed and guaranteed by the Eurosystem, aims to enhance simplicity, security, and accessibility for digital payments. The developers noted that the architecture would promote take-up among citizens and institutions alike by enabling easy integration by financial service providers, while simultaneously supporting Europe's broader goal of technological self-reliance.
Organisers note that the move represents an additional step towards European cohesion and the development of infrastructure that can withstand cyberattacks or technical failures.
The collaboration between Almaviva and Fabrick for the Digital Euro highlights efforts to facilitate digital payment methods within the EU and provide consistent access for its citizens to monetary services supported by central bank infrastructure.
