Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, says Africa has entered a defining phase in its digital finance journey, insisting the continent is no longer a spectator in the global financial technology revolution but an active force driving it.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2026 3i Africa Summit 2026 in Accra, Dr Asiama said the summit marked the beginning of a new era focused on practical implementation, innovation and deeper financial integration across Africa.
“Two days ago, we opened these proceedings under a single proposition: that Africa is no longer observing the global financial revolution from the sidelines; we are shaping it,” he stated.
The summit, held under the theme “The Next Frontier: Shaping Africa’s Integrated Fintech Future,” was organised by the Bank of Ghana in collaboration with Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited and the Global Finance & Technology Network.
According to the Governor, previous editions of the summit in 2024 and 2025 focused on unlocking Africa’s fintech potential and advancing the vision of “One Africa, One Market,” while the 2026 edition concentrated on structured implementation and long-term transformation.
Dr Asiama said discussions throughout the summit highlighted the need for stronger regulation, institutional reforms, strategic partnerships and the responsible use of emerging technologies to build a resilient digital financial ecosystem across the continent.
He described the ongoing transformation as “a rebirth of Africa’s digital and financial ecosystem,” noting that Africa’s youthful population, expanding innovation space and growing digital economy present enormous opportunities for growth.
At the same time, he cautioned that the continent’s rapidly evolving fintech ecosystem must be carefully managed to avoid risks linked to weak governance, fraud, data misuse and irresponsible lending practices.
Touching on Ghana’s recent economic performance, the Governor said the country had made significant progress in restoring financial stability and investor confidence over the past year.
He pointed to the appreciation and stability of the Ghana cedi, inflation falling to 3.4 percent in April 2026, and GDP growth of 6.0 percent in 2025 as evidence of improving macroeconomic conditions.
Dr Asiama also highlighted key regulatory reforms, including amendments to the Bank of Ghana Act, the passage of the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025, and new directives targeting digital credit providers and cybersecurity protection.
“These reforms have helped strengthen resilience, consumer protection and trust within the financial ecosystem,” he said.
As part of Ghana’s next phase of digital finance development, the Governor announced plans to establish an Innovation Hub to support emerging technologies and fintech startups, while also developing a separate legal framework dedicated to fintech regulation.
He further revealed plans for a Continental FinTech Sandbox aimed at testing cross-border financial innovations and operationalising Ghana’s National FinTech Inclusion Programme.
The Governor stressed that Africa’s fintech future would depend heavily on regulatory harmonisation, licence passporting, interoperable payment systems and stronger cooperation among African central banks and governments.
He urged policymakers across the continent not to allow discussions from the summit to end as mere declarations.
“The work of harmonisation of financial systems, licence passporting and supervisory convergence must continue beyond these conversations,” he said.
Dr Asiama also called on investors to take advantage of Africa’s growing digital economy, stressing that the continent needs long-term partnerships and patient capital capable of supporting sustainable growth.
“To our investor partners, the moment to engage Africa’s opportunity is now,” he stated.
He further challenged fintech founders to prioritise governance and consumer trust alongside rapid business expansion.
“Invest in governance with the same intensity you invest in growth. Treat consumer trust as a strategic asset,” he advised.
The Governor concluded by urging stakeholders to move beyond discussions and translate the summit’s outcomes into practical action across Africa’s financial institutions, ministries and private sector boardrooms.
“The summit may be ending, but the work it has started is only just beginning,” he said
