Africa’s $1.5trn Digital Payments Economy: GITEX unveils finance...

…Investors, banks, others converge in Lagos to drive financial inclusion

Motolani Oseni

Africa’s digital payments economy is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, creating a major opportunity for financial institutions, technology companies and investors as the continent accelerates the transition towards more connected and inclusive financial systems.

The opportunity will take centre stage at the FDX by GITEX Nigeria Summit, scheduled for September 3 at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, where regulators, institutional investors, enterprises and high-growth startups will converge to shape the next phase of Africa’s financial ecosystem.

The summit is designed to address structural challenges limiting financial participation and capital flows across the continent, with discussions expected to focus on digital payments, digital assets, capital markets, cross-border finance, financial infrastructure and regulatory reform.

According to the organisers, FDX by GITEX seeks to connect capital, policy and digital innovation to expand access to financial services and unlock new economic opportunities across Africa.

The summit comes as technology continues to reshape the continent’s financial landscape, with digital platforms increasingly reducing barriers to payments, banking and access to financial services.

Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said the state was committed to developing a technology-driven financial ecosystem capable of deepening inclusion and supporting economic growth.

He said aligning financial policies with modern digital infrastructure would help facilitate cross-border trade, strengthen financial inclusion and support Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.

Beyond payments, the summit will examine the role of institutional capital in financing Africa’s economic transformation, including how the continent can connect its underlying assets with growing pools of capital.

One of the headline sessions, “Access to Real World Assets and the Rewiring of Capital Markets in Africa,” will explore mechanisms for broadening investor participation and unlocking new sources of value.

Another session, “Trust by Design: Navigating the Security Paradoxes Holding Back Digital Assets and CBDCs,” will examine how regulators and financial institutions can balance innovation with security, compliance and public confidence.

Industry experts are also expected to address digital identity, borderless payments, financial inclusion and policy coordination as critical components of Africa’s emerging financial architecture.

Among the international speakers are Jean Kambuni, Deputy Director, Capital Markets, Nairobi International Financial Centre, Kenya; Erwin Anet N’guetta, Chief Digital Officer for Operational Excellence, Digital Transformation and Innovation at National Bank of Investment, Côte d’Ivoire; and Henry Amadiegwu, Chief Information Officer at Zenith Bank UK.

Amadiegwu said the intelligent deployment of artificial intelligence, automation, modern infrastructure and technological integration would be critical to building secure, resilient and compliant financial ecosystems across Africa.

He said the objective should extend beyond technological adoption to ensuring that next-generation finance creates sustainable economic value and expands access for individuals and businesses.

Global payments technology company Mastercard is among the technology firms participating in the event, showcasing solutions aimed at reducing cross-border payment friction and expanding digital payment acceptance.

Its Mastercard Move platform connects more than 200 countries and territories across 150 currencies, while solutions such as Tap on Phone, QR-on-Card and Pay by Link are designed to support digital payment acceptance.

With Africa’s digital payments economy projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, the FDX summit is expected to place greater emphasis on how technology, capital and regulation can be combined to convert the continent’s digital-finance growth into broader economic participation and investment.