BoG Governor Champions United Digital Financial Market Across Africa
By: Ernest Afram
Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, has called for continental coordination to accelerate Africa’s digital financial integration, urging policymakers to move beyond national initiatives and embrace a shared vision of “One Africa, One Market.”
Delivering opening remarks at the 3i Africa Policy Forum in Accra, Dr Asiama said Africa must transition from fragmented economies to a united digital financial ecosystem powered by innovation, investment, and inclusivity.
“This theme speaks to more than just aspiration, it defines a strategic imperative, It calls us to envision Africa not as a patchwork of disconnected economies, but as a single, dynamic economic bloc.” He said.
The policy forum, a follow-up to the 3i Africa Summit held in 2024, brought together central bank governors, policymakers, fintech leaders, and development partners to discuss actionable strategies for scaling fintech, cross-border payments, and digital assets in alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Highlighting recent progress across the continent, Dr Asiama noted that fintech is expanding financial access, especially in underserved communities, while digital payments are easing trade and boosting regional commerce. However, he cautioned that national-level efforts alone are insufficient to realize the broader vision.
“To fully realize the vision of One Africa, One Market, we must scale our efforts through continental coordination,” he said. This includes harmonizing regulatory frameworks, building trust across jurisdictions, and fostering interoperability in digital infrastructure.
The Governor announced several key collaborations to drive this agenda, including Ghana’s bilateral fintech passporting project with the National Bank of Rwanda and a new partnership with the Global Financial Technology Network (Singapore) on the Next-Gen Digital Payment Infrastructure Project (DPI). The initiative aims to modernize Africa’s cross-border payments ecosystem through central bank-led innovation, scalable pilots, and regional interoperability.
Dr Asiama reaffirmed the Bank of Ghana’s commitment to digital financial inclusion, citing ongoing work with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and regional innovation frameworks.
As Africa works toward building a unified financial ecosystem by 2030, Dr Asiama urged participants to be both ambitious and practical. “Let this forum be a turning point where vision meets action, where policy enables innovation, and where Africa steps confidently into its role as a digital financial powerhouse” he said.
