Africa

AfDB Secures $525,000 Grant to Strengthen Fintechs in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has signed a $525,000 grant agreement with Africa Fintech Network (AFN) for the setup of the Africa Fintech Hub, an online portal that would serve as a one-stop shop for all fintech activities in Africa.


The hub is a digital platform that would enable fintech associations across Africa to pool resources and knowledge, strengthen relationships and partnerships, as well as showcase the work of fintech on the continent, including those which are female-led or owned.


According to a statement yesterday, the agreement was signed on 4 April 2023.
The Africa Digital Financial Inclusion Facility (ADFI) would provide funding and technical assistance to the Africa Fintech Network to host and manage the African Fintech Hub.


The African Fintech Hub would be delivered through a strategic partnership between AFN and the Centre for Financial Regulation and Inclusion (Cenfri), which would provide technical support in the development of the Hub, as well as promote research, knowledge creation and other innovative initiatives.

Read:  Marriott International’s Portfolio of Luxury Brands and Quintessentially Unveil a Collection of Exclusive Luxury Experiences in the Middle East & Africa.


Director General of the African Development Bank’s Nigeria Country Department, Lamin Barrow, underscored the importance of the Bank’s support to the project, saying it would contribute to strengthening the fintech ecosystem in Africa, boost competitiveness in the digital world, whilst leveraging partnerships.


“At the African Development Bank, we recognise that we have a major role to play in helping to create a robust, efficient and sustainable fintech ecosystem across the continent. We are accelerating the delivery of our High 5 strategic priorities through our various innovative interventions.
“These have helped improve access to digital infrastructure, including Information and Communications Technology linkages to landlocked countries and broadband internet services.


“The need to leapfrog barriers and scale up inclusive digital financial solutions to accelerate economic resilience across Africa has become even more urgent,” he added.
The African Development Bank, together with its partners, launched the Africa Digital Financial Inclusion Facility to make catalytic investments in support of innovative ideas such as the Africa Fintech Hub Project aimed at expanding access and usage of digital financial solutions to meet the needs of all Africans.
President of Africa Fintech Network, Dr. Segun Aina, commended the Bank for supporting the  initiative.

Read:  AfDB to establish investment banks for African young entrepreneurs.


“We are truly excited about this partnership with the African Development Bank, and the possibilities of working in partnership with Cenfri on multiple initiatives with fintech across Africa to further our mission to drive Africa-led fintech solutions, stimulate information exchange, ideation and the support and to promote innovative technologies within the financial services sector across Africa and beyond. “


ADFI Coordinator, Sheila Okiro, said the Bank, through the partnership of the Africa Digital Financial Inclusion Facility, is delighted “to support this project to strengthen the fintech sector, furthering our work to leverage technology to contribute to closing the financial inclusion gap and creating employment across Africa.”

Read:  The Metaverse Will Open New Opportunities for Africa – and the Globe.


“Currently, ADFI-supported projects are enhancing digital financial infrastructure and regional interoperability through the development of payment systems and infrastructure in Ethiopia and the ECOWAS region. Other projects are equipping financial sector regulators with innovative technology to strengthen consumer protection in Ghana, Rwanda and Zambia.


“The Facility is also supporting projects to enhance the deployment of digital micro-insurance to smallholder farmers in Nigeria, Zambia and Kenya, as well as to build capacity for cyber resilience and help to remove barriers to access to fintech services across the continent.


“Although fintechs have great potential to contribute to digital financial inclusion across the continent, the African fintech sector significantly lags behind those in other regions such as Latin America and South-East Asia,” the statement added.

Related posts

ITFC and SESRIC launch report on economic impacts of AfCFTA on selected OIC Countries.

NigGal

Banks must partner with fintech to accelerate the digital banking transformation.

NigGal

Thomson Reuters, Adapt IT Expand Relationship to Prioritise Technological Agility in Sub-Saharan Africa

NigGal

Apply to Receive $100,000 Grant in Innovating Education in Africa 2022.

NigGal

Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Brings Together Over 1,600 Delegates for Its First Annual Summit.

NigGal

Senegal’s Crypto Profile on the Rise Thanks to Singer Akon’s Crypto City.

NigGal

Leave a Comment