Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, has called for greater collaboration and trust-based partnerships to accelerate fintech innovation and digital finance initiatives that support Africa’s economic integration.
Speaking at the 3i Africa Policy Forum in Accra, on the theme “One Africa, One Market: Driving Innovation, Investment, and Impact for a Connected Future,” Dr. Asiama stressed the growing role of fintech in expanding financial access, particularly for underserved communities, and in facilitating seamless cross-border payments to boost regional trade.
He noted that the forum serves as a platform to translate past summit insights into actionable strategies aimed at scaling fintech solutions, digital assets, and payment systems aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda.
Key issues discussed at the forum included mobilizing sustainable investment for fintech, harmonizing regulatory frameworks for cross-border payments, operationalizing the Digital Trade Protocol, and advancing the responsible use of stablecoins and digital assets. The forum also highlighted the importance of empowering SMEs and unlocking investor capital through strategic de-risking.
Dr. Asiama cited the progress made in developing regulatory sandboxes, innovation hubs, and digital public infrastructure as signs of growing support for inclusive finance and entrepreneurship across the continent.
He highlighted the Bank of Ghana’s partnership with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the bilateral fintech passporting initiative with the National Bank of Rwanda as concrete examples of regional cooperation.
“We are also proud to announce our collaboration with the National Bank of Rwanda and Singapore’s Global Financial Technology Network on the Next-Gen Digital Payment Infrastructure (DPI) project,” he said.
The initiative aims to modernize Africa’s cross-border payments through central bank-led innovation in partnership with fintechs and financial institutions.
The DPI project will roll out scalable pilots across the continent, laying the groundwork for interoperability and a unified digital economy in Africa.
In a keynote address, Mr. Vitaliy Kramarenko, Deputy Director of the African Department at the IMF, echoed the call for innovation and partnerships, urging policymakers to prioritize digital infrastructure, fintech development, and regional trade facilitation.
He acknowledged the continent’s strides in mobile financial access but stressed the need for stronger supporting infrastructure and policy frameworks to manage risks and ensure resilience.
“While mobile penetration has grown rapidly, traditional financial access remains limited. However, Africa leads in mobile money usage, providing a strong foundation for further digital financial inclusion,” he noted.
Mr. Kramarenko urged governments to invest in core payment infrastructure and create enabling environments for public-private collaboration to fully realize the benefits of the digital transformation.
