The Bank of Ghana has called for a decisive shift in Africa’s digital finance agenda from expanding access to delivering real economic value at the opening of the second edition of the 3i Africa Summit.
Speaking at the summit, the Governor of the central bank, Dr. Johnson Asiama, emphasized that while Africa has made significant gains in financial inclusion, the continent must now focus on scaling innovation and deepening impact through stronger partnerships and coordinated investment.
The summit, hosted in partnership with the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems and the Global Finance and Technology Network of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, brings together regulators, fintech innovators, investors and policymakers to shape the future of digital finance across the continent.
According to the Governor, digital finance is no longer a peripheral part of financial sector development but a central driver of how economies grow, compete and connect. He noted that decisions made at platforms such as the summit will determine whether Africa simply participates in the evolving global financial system or actively shapes it.
Citing a recent report by the World Bank, he revealed that about 49 percent of adults in Sub-Saharan Africa now have access to digital financial accounts an indication of strong progress driven largely by mobile money and branchless banking models.
However, he stressed that the next phase of development must go beyond payments to include embedded finance, supply chain finance, cross-border services and digital credit systems tailored to women, small businesses and the informal sector.
“The challenge is no longer building systems it is connecting them,” he said, highlighting fragmentation, high costs and uneven regulatory frameworks as key barriers to progress.
The Governor underscored the need for balanced regulation that both safeguards financial stability and enables innovation. He outlined measures being pursued by the central bank, including developing regulatory frameworks for virtual assets, issuing guidelines for digital credit, advancing open banking systems and promoting cross-border payment interoperability.
He also pointed to the importance of strong digital identity systems and robust Know-Your-Customer (KYC) frameworks to build trust and improve credit quality within the financial ecosystem.
Beyond regulation, he called for greater support for indigenous fintech firms, noting that Africa’s digital finance ecosystem must not only grow but mature through access to capital, infrastructure and strategic partnerships.
“The value of this summit will not be measured by the conversations we have, but by the outcomes we achieve,” he said, urging stakeholders to prioritize coordination, transparency and disciplined execution.
The Governor concluded with a challenge to the continent: to move beyond participation and embrace leadership in shaping the future of global finance.
The 3i Africa Summit is expected to drive policy alignment, strengthen regional cooperation and accelerate the development of inclusive, innovative and scalable financial systems across Africa.
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