The NPS vision is to put in place a modern payment system that is effective, efficient, secure and compatible with internationally recognized payment systems.

The NPS mission is to have a payment system characterised by the following features:- 

• Risks related to Payment Systems will be well understood and managed by all stakeholders. 
  
• The Payment System shall be self-regulated. 
  
• Settlement of all domestic inter-bank exchanges on the value date of the settlement instruction.
  
• Open for all parties, both domestic and foreign who wish to provide payment services.
  
• Easily accessible to both urban and rural consumers to effect both domestic and international transactions.
  
• Efficiency and lack of duplications as shared payment infrastructure will be encouraged.
• Basic NPS features well understood by all including the rural populace. 
• The Payment System will support electronic trading in both the securities and foreign exchange markets.
• The Payment System will be compliant with international standards, practices and compatible with other international payment systems.
  

The most popular payment medium is cash. It is generally acceptable everywhere as a legal tender and is suitable for small value transactions. With the expansion of the economy and development of commercial banking, computer and communication technology, other non-cash payment instruments have been introduced. The non-cash instruments may be further classified under the following: - 

• Paper-based instruments – these include payment orders, bills of exchange, promissory notes and cheques. Automated credit transfers and direct debits are included in this mode of payment.
  
• Plastic cards-these include, credit cards, debit cards / ATM cards and prepaid cards.
  
• Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs)- with the application of computers and communication technology, a number of paper-based payments have evolved into electronic forms, especially for large value transactions. EFTs are used for transferring value between banks on behalf of customers.

Stakeholders are those that have an interest in the NPS. This definition includes those that own, provide, manage or use components of the system, or take ultimate responsibility thereof. The major stakeholders are

Bank of Tanzania; as the monetary authority in Tanzania, fulfils a pivotal role in the economy and, specifically, in the NPS.

Financial Institutions: Commercial banks and registered financial institutions under the BOT act 
Other stakeholders included in the payment system are:

• Infrastructure Providers e.g. Telecommunication companies.
• Payment service providers e.g. Swift, Card Operators.
• Payment System End-Users: e.g. Individuals, corporate businesses and government.
  
• Regulatory authorities e.g. Dar es salaam Stock Exchange (DSE), Capital Markets Authority Government. 
  
• Regional Monetary Authorities and Regional Arrangements e.g. the East Africa Community. 
  
• International Monetary Authorities .;These bodies include IMF, World Bank.