Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to a digitally inclusive economy while calling for deeper Pan-African collaboration to drive fintech growth and integration across the continent.
Addressing delegates at the African FinTech Summit in Accra, the Minister highlighted Ghana’s progress in mobile money interoperability, which has provided over 90 percent of adults with access to mobile financial services.
He noted that Africa is not a passive observer in the global fintech revolution but an active pioneer, referencing the continent’s early innovations such as M-Pesa and MoMo, which transformed financial access and inclusion.
The Minister emphasized that the next phase of Africa’s fintech evolution must focus on collaboration and harmonization, particularly through the Africa Free Continental Trade Area (AfCFTA). He called for greater alignment of payment systems and digital finance policies to unlock cross-border opportunities and enhance economic integration.
Outlining his vision for Africa’s fintech ecosystem, Minister George identified three key imperatives, Inclusion, Trust, and Integration, as the foundation for sustainable growth. He urged central bank governors to prioritize the use of the Pan-African Payment System (PAPS) over traditional systems such as Swift, arguing that PAPS offers a more effective mechanism to support African trade and growth under AfCFTA.
He further stated that the government’s role in the fintech space must be that of an “active enabler and a responsible custodian”, striking a balance between innovation and oversight to ensure a secure, inclusive digital environment.
Describing the Africa FinTech Summit as a platform celebrating African ingenuity, the Minister said it reflects the continent’s growing capacity to shape its own digital and financial future. He invited the global community to look to Ghana as a model of inclusive digital innovation, where technology is driving financial access, trust, and integration.
