3i Africa Policy Forum: Dr Asiama Advocates Scalable Fintech and Regulatory Harmonisation
Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Johnson Asiama, has called for intensified efforts in achieving a harmonised and innovation-driven financial ecosystem across the African continent.
Speaking at the 2nd edition of the 3i Africa Policy Forum in Accra, which is themed “One Africa, One Market: Driving Innovation, Investment and Impact for a Connected Future”, Dr Asiama emphasised the need for greater coordination among African economies to transform the continent into a digitally unified economic bloc.
“The theme for the forum calls on policymakers to envision Africa not as a patchwork of disconnected economies, but as a single dynamic economic bloc powered by innovation, enabled by investment, and committed to inclusive and sustainable development,” he stated.
According to him, realising this vision requires strong collaboration between the public and private sectors, underpinned by forward-looking policies and a willingness to adopt transformative technologies. He noted that while significant progress has been made, the ultimate objective must shift from dialogue to implementation.
Citing ongoing advancements in fintech, digital assets, and cross-border payment solutions, Dr Asiama pointed to their growing role in deepening financial inclusion and boosting intra-African trade.
“Fintech is bridging access gaps, particularly for underserved and remote communities. Cross-border digital payments are gaining traction, promising to ease trade friction and accelerate regional commerce,” he noted.
He also highlighted national initiatives such as regulatory sandboxes, digital public infrastructure frameworks, and innovation hubs as critical in fostering safe and responsible innovation. However, he stressed that these isolated efforts are not enough, advocating instead for continent-wide regulatory harmonisation and interoperability.
“To fully realise the vision of one Africa, one market, we must scale our efforts through continental coordination. This means harmonising regulatory frameworks, fostering interoperability across financial infrastructures, and building trust and transparency across jurisdictions,” Dr Asiama said.
The BoG Governor further outlined key priorities for the Forum, including attracting sustainable investment in digital finance, unlocking cross-border payments through regulatory alignment, empowering SMEs, and operationalising digital trade protocols.
Speaking further at the Forum, Dr Asiama announced Ghana’s participation in the Next-Gen Digital Payment Infrastructure Project (DPI), a collaboration between the BoG, the National Bank of Rwanda, and Singapore’s Global Financial Technology Network. The initiative seeks to modernise cross-border payments using a central bank-led model co-developed with fintechs and financial institutions.
“Our work with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), our fintech passporting arrangement with Rwanda’s central bank, and now the DPI initiative all reflect our conviction that regional integration is achievable through trust-based partnerships,” he added.
Dr Asiama concluded his remarks by urging stakeholders to be “ambitious, pragmatic, and united” in building a connected African financial ecosystem by 2030.
“This forum represents a unique opportunity to move from intention to execution. Let us focus not only on what is possible, but on what is essential,” he charged.
The 3i Africa Policy Forum brings together leaders in policy, finance, technology, and regulation to shape the future of Africa’s digital financial landscape.
