Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiamah, the Governor of the Bank of GhanaDr. Johnson Pandit Asiamah, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, has asserted that Africa can only realise the vision of a single continental market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) if countries align their financial laws and regulatory systems.
He said while gains have been made in fintech and cross-border digital payments, those efforts would fall short without coordinated action to harmonise regulatory frameworks across the continent.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 3i Africa Policy Forum in Accra on Wednesday, May 14, Dr. Asiamah stressed that a connected African market can be achieved only through deliberate continental cooperation.
“These gains are being reinforced by modern regulatory approaches — pilot programs, innovation offices, and digital public infrastructure frameworks, all designed to promote inclusive finance, enhance SME participation, and unleash the creativity of Africa’s youth and entrepreneurs,” he said.
He added, “But as promising as these national initiatives are, they are not enough. 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. Asiamah cautioned that the task of integration is not one that any country or institution can undertake alone.
“No single institution, no matter how well-resourced, can drive this transformation alone,” he said.
The Forum, held under the theme, “One Africa, One Market: Driving Innovation, Investment, and Impact for a Connected Future”, brought together policymakers, regulators, and tech innovators from across the continent.
It is expected to focus on unlocking investor capital, promoting responsible digital asset adoption, and supporting the operationalisation of the Digital Trade Protocol to accelerate Africa’s digital financial integration.
