Governor of the Bank of Ghana�, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, has called on African countries to move beyond participation and take leadership in shaping the future of digital finance on the continent.
Speaking at the second edition of the 3i Africa Summit 2026 held at the Destiny Arena on Wednesday, May 6, Dr. Asiama said Africa had reached a defining moment where digital finance must evolve from expanding access to creating real economic value and strengthening financial inclusion.
The summit, hosted by the Bank of Ghana� in partnership with Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS)� and Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)� of the Monetary Authority of Singapore�, brought together central bank governors, policymakers, investors, fintech leaders and innovators from across Africa and beyond.
Dr. Asiama noted that the 3i Africa Summit had made a significant impact on the global financial landscape since its maiden edition in 2024, stressing that the continent was now entering a new phase where innovation, investment and impact must translate into scalable opportunities.
“Digital finance is no longer at the margins of financial sector development. It is central to how value is created, how trust is built, how markets are connected, and how economies compete,” he stated.
According to the Governor, Africa has already made considerable progress in financial inclusion, citing a recent World Bank report indicating that about 49 percent of adults in Sub-Saharan Africa now have access to digital financial accounts. He explained that the continent was not starting from scratch, but from a position of momentum driven largely by mobile money and branchless banking models.
He, however, stressed that the next phase of digital finance would go beyond payments to include digital credit, merchant payments, embedded finance, supply chain finance and cross-border financial services tailored to women, young people, MSMEs and the informal sector.
Dr. Asiama identified fragmentation, high operational costs and uneven regulatory alignment as some of the key challenges slowing progress across the continent. He said the focus must now shift from simply building systems to effectively connecting them.
He emphasised the need for regulations that both protect consumers and encourage responsible innovation. According to him, regulation and growth should reinforce each other rather than operate as opposing forces.
Highlighting initiatives by the Bank of Ghana�, Dr. Asiama said the central bank was advancing regulatory frameworks for virtual assets, digital credit and open banking while also supporting cross-border fintech activities.
He further stressed the importance of stronger digital identity and Know Your Customer (KYC) systems to reduce fraud risks and improve trust in digital financial services.
The Governor also called for greater support for indigenous African fintech firms, stating that strong local companies must have access to partnerships, capital and infrastructure to scale sustainably.
Dr. Asiama urged regulators, industry players and development partners to focus on practical outcomes from the summit, including stronger regulatory coordination, improved market alignment and faster progress toward inclusive and innovative financial systems across Africa.
“Africa has reached a point where participation is no longer the ambition. Leadership is,” he said.
