The Bank of Ghana has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Bank of Rwanda and the Global Financial Technology Network in Singapore to launch the Next-Gen Digital Payment Infrastructure Project (DPI).
This groundbreaking initiative seeks to modernize Africa’s cross-border payment systems through a central bank-led and innovation-enabled framework.
The announcement was made by Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiamah, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, during the opening ceremony of the 3i Africa Policy Forum held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.
The event, themed “One Africa, One Market: Driving Innovation, Investment, and Impact for a Connected Future,” convened leaders in policy, regulation, finance, and technology to deliberate on accelerating Africa’s digital transformation.
In his keynote address, Dr. Asiamah emphasized the need to envision Africa as a unified, dynamic economic bloc fueled by innovation and long-term investment. He noted that realizing this vision demands bold, coordinated efforts across both public and private sectors.
Highlighting the progress made in digital transformation on the continent, he pointed to the growth of financial technologies, digital assets, and cross-border payment systems. These developments, he said, have significantly enhanced financial inclusion and expanded intra-African trade, especially in underserved and remote communities.
Despite these advances, Dr. Asiamah cautioned that national-level efforts alone will not be sufficient to achieve the broader goal of One Africa, One Market. He called for harmonized regulatory frameworks across the continent and the establishment of mutual trust and transparency among jurisdictions.
The forum will delve into how Africa can attract long-term investment into its fintech and digital finance sectors. It will also address how regulatory alignment can unlock the full potential of cross-border payments and how small and medium-sized enterprises can serve as key drivers of regional trade and innovation.
According to Dr. Asiamah, the forum is not merely a platform for discussion but a venue for tangible results. He reaffirmed the Bank of Ghana’s commitment to digital financial integration, citing existing initiatives such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the bilateral fintech passporting collaboration with the National Bank of Rwanda.
He urged participants to be ambitious and pragmatic while remaining united in purpose, stressing that the ultimate goal is to build a fully interconnected African financial ecosystem by 2030. Dr. Asiamah called on attendees to ensure the forum becomes a defining moment where vision translates into action, policy supports innovation, and Africa positions itself as a global leader in digital finance.
The 3i Africa Policy Forum is expected to generate meaningful partnerships, insightful dialogue, and concrete strategies that will shape Africa’s digital financial future. Participants will work collectively to convert the ideas and energy of the summit into clear and executable outcomes.
