Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, has urged digital finance institutions to strengthen their operations in order to build a resilient fintech ecosystem across Africa.
Speaking at the 3i Africa Summit 2026 in Accra, Dr. Asiama said African fintech institutions must move beyond simply expanding access to financial services and focus on delivering real value and measurable impact.
He noted that although about 49 percent of adults in sub-Saharan Africa now have digital financial accounts, the continent’s attention should shift towards scalability, efficiency and the meaningful use of financial services.
Dr. Asiama explained that the next phase of digital finance would extend beyond basic payments to include digital credit, supply chain finance and cross-border financial services, with particular attention to women, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and the informal sector.
He also called for stronger system connectivity and collaboration across markets and institutions to address key challenges such as market fragmentation, high transaction costs and weak regulatory coordination across the continent.
The Governor outlined measures BoG had taken to support digital finance, including the development of a framework for virtual assets, issuance of digital credit guidelines, advancement of open banking systems and the promotion of cross-border fintech activity.
“The constraints we face are now clearer. The issue is no longer access alone. It is fragmentation. It is cost. It is uneven regulatory alignment. The challenge is no longer building systems. It is connecting them,” he stated.
“What is required is greater clarity in how we define our priorities, and stronger coordination in how we implement them,” he added.
Dr. Asiama further stressed that the decisions and partnerships emerging from forums such as the 3i Africa Summit would shape the future of finance on the continent.
“The decisions and partnerships that emerge from forums such as this will determine whether Africa merely participates in the next phase of finance, or helps to shape it,” he noted.
He also urged African countries to focus on developing indigenous fintech firms capable of competing globally.
“Africa’s digital finance ecosystem must not only grow. It must mature. Firms with strong potential must have access to the partnerships, capital and infrastructure required to scale sustainably,” he stated.
According to the Governor, achieving that objective would require not only a strong financial system driven by activity, but also discipline, transparency and competitiveness.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah