Ghana Pushes for Continental Collaboration to Strengthen Africa’s Fintech Ecosystem

Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, has called for stronger Pan-African collaboration to accelerate the growth of the continent’s fintech sector. Speaking at the African FinTech Summit in Accra, the Minister underscored Ghana’s unwavering commitment to building a digitally inclusive economy and leveraging technology to drive financial empowerment. He highlighted the country’s notable progress in mobile money interoperability, which has provided financial access to over 90% of Ghana’s adult population and positioned the nation as a regional leader in digital financial services.

Minister George emphasized that Africa is not merely following global fintech trends but is actively pioneering innovation. He referenced the continent’s early success with mobile money platforms such as M-Pesa and MoMo as proof of Africa’s ability to lead global digital transformation. The Minister urged African nations to work collectively, particularly by harnessing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, to harmonize payment systems and promote seamless cross-border transactions.

Outlining his vision for Africa’s fintech landscape, Minister George identified three key priorities — Inclusion, Trust, and Integration. He encouraged central banks across the continent to adopt the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) as an alternative to the traditional Swift network, which would enhance intra-African trade and financial independence.

He further stressed that governments should act as enablers and custodians of progress rather than impediments through excessive regulation. Minister George praised the Africa FinTech Summit as a celebration of African creativity and resilience, inviting global partners to look to Ghana as a model for inclusive and innovative digital development.