Africa no longer mere spectator in fintech revolution – Dr. Asiama

Bank of Ghana Governor Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama says Africa is now actively shaping the global fintech revolution through innovation, regulation and digital transformation initiatives.

Delivering the closing keynote address at the 2026 3i Africa Summit in Accra, Dr. Asiama said the continent had moved beyond the sidelines of global financial innovation and was positioning itself as a major player in the digital economy.

“Two days ago, we opened these proceedings under a single, unifying proposition: that Africa is no longer observing the global financial revolution from the sidelines; we are, in fact, shaping it,” he stated.

The summit, themed “The Next Frontier: Shaping Africa’s Integrated Fintech Future,” brought together regulators, policymakers, fintech investors, entrepreneurs and global financial institutions to discuss the future of Africa’s digital financial ecosystem.

According to Dr. Asiama, discussions at the summit reflected growing confidence in Africa’s policy direction, innovation capacity and investment opportunities within the fintech sector.

“For us, the most important indicator is one reflected in every conversation over the past three days: a renewed confidence,” he said.

“We have seen confidence in African policy and innovation,” the Governor added.

Dr. Asiama described Africa’s fintech ecosystem as youthful, dynamic and full of opportunities capable of driving inclusive economic growth across the continent.

“A rebirth signifies renewal and growth,” he noted.

“These attributes are evident in the youthful and dynamic nature of Africa’s digital financial ecosystem, its agility, its expanding opportunities, and its immense potential,” he explained.

He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among regulators, governments and investors to ensure the continent fully benefits from emerging financial technologies.

The Governor also highlighted Ghana’s recent economic gains, including stable exchange rates, declining inflation and stronger regulatory reforms aimed at improving financial sector resilience.

He announced plans by the Bank of Ghana to establish an innovation hub, develop a separate legal framework for fintech regulation and launch a Continental FinTech Sandbox to support digital finance growth.

Dr. Asiama further urged fintech founders to engage regulators early and prioritise consumer trust and governance as they expand their businesses across Africa.