Africa Money & DeFi Summit Returns to Accra 61% Surge in Stablecoin Transfers Drives Fintech Growth

The Africa Money & DeFi Summit West Africa is set to return to Accra, Ghana, from September 24–25, 2025, for its third edition. The event will gather over 500 leaders from fintech, decentralized finance (DeFi), and Web3 ecosystems to explore innovations reshaping the continent’s financial systems. With West Africa emerging as a hub for digital finance, the summit aims to accelerate business growth, investment, and cross-industry collaboration through discussions on stablecoins, embedded finance, and AI-driven solutions.

Key topics will include the role of stablecoins in enabling payroll, cross-border transactions, and business operations, alongside regulatory frameworks to support secure digital ecosystems. Ghana’s Central Bank is expected to participate as the country moves toward finalizing digital asset regulations by September 2025. Nigeria, meanwhile, leads global stablecoin adoption with 25.9 million users (11.9% penetration), while Sub-Saharan Africa maintains the world’s highest stablecoin adoption rate at 9.3%. The summit will also address challenges in digital identity, Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, and the integration of AI into personalized financial services.

Andrew Fassnidge, Director of the summit, highlighted the rapid evolution of Africa’s financial landscape. Mobile-based stablecoin transfers have surged by 61%, and 43% of digital asset transactions now involve stablecoins, signaling growing commercial viability. Fintech innovation, including embedded finance and lending platforms, is central to this transformation, bridging gaps in financial inclusion and expanding access to digital tools for underserved populations. The event will showcase startups and scalable ventures poised to leverage blockchain and decentralized systems for sustainable economic growth.

The Investment Showcase, a key component of the summit, invites African fintech and blockchain startups to present to investors and industry leaders. With applications closing on August 13, 2025, selected ventures will gain opportunities for funding and partnerships. This initiative underscores the region’s potential to attract capital and talent in sectors such as cross-border payments, digital identity, and Web3 infrastructure. The Central Bank of Ghana’s participation signals institutional support for a regulatory environment that balances innovation with risk management.

The summit’s focus on policy and technology aligns with broader trends in Africa’s financial sector. As Nigeria and Ghana lead in stablecoin adoption and regulatory development, their experiences could influence neighboring markets. The integration of AI into fintech solutions further positions West Africa to compete globally in digital finance. However, challenges such as interoperability between mobile money systems and blockchain platforms, as well as data privacy concerns, remain critical for policymakers and developers to address.

By bringing together mobile network operators, banks, entrepreneurs, and regulators, the summit aims to foster scalable partnerships that align with Africa’s digital economy goals. Early bird tickets for the event are now available, reflecting strong interest in the region’s fintech and DeFi advancements. The event’s organizers emphasize the importance of embedding financial tools into everyday commerce, ensuring accessibility for small businesses and unbanked populations while attracting international investment in Africa’s tech-driven financial ecosystem.