At ATS Nairobi 2026, Fincra CEO Wole Ayodele delivered a reality check for the fintech sector: potential means nothing without African payments infrastructure. As cross-border trade costs remain stagnant at nearly 8%, Ayodele argues that the era of “optimism-led” growth is over. The next phase belongs to “federated” systems that allow businesses to scale seamlessly across borders without rebuilding their rails.
Africa’s cross-border payment landscape is undergoing a radical shift as Onafriq integrates Conduit’s stablecoin infrastructure. By utilizing USDC for treasury settlement, the partnership bypasses the $5B annual friction of correspondent banking. This transition offers businesses same-day payouts and just-in-time liquidity, moving stablecoin payments from the fringes of retail crypto into the core of African B2B trade.
PAPSS blockchain marketplace with Bantu and Interstellar simulated stablecoins enables dollar-free local currency swaps across 19 countries. Tackles 8.45% remittance fees (20% peak) and $1B trapped airline funds.
Victor Akoma-Philips: “We created stablecoin semblance for corporate settlements.” Wamkele Mene: “We must use our currencies.” Supports $220.3B intra-African trade (12.4% YoY growth) toward AfCFTA’s $3.4T market. Afreximbank launched 2022.
