Category: Fintech

Fintech Africa

Africa Blockchain Report 2025: Blockchain’s Multifaceted Role in Economic Development

In Africa Blockchain Report 2025, Rob Downes of Absa CIB explores the diverse and transformative role of blockchain technology across Africa’s economic sectors. From powering cross-border trade and supply chains to enabling financial inclusion and sustainable agriculture, blockchain is being integrated with AI and embedded finance to reshape infrastructure, transparency, and trust. As Africa prepares for its first G20 summit, the report underscores blockchain’s relevance in inclusive digital development and its potential to revolutionize financial systems, regulation, and economic growth across the continent.

Digital Dynamism in the Finance Sector: Moving at the right speed and the right economics

In Digital Dynamism in the Finance Sector, Tawanda Chatikobo of Absa Regional Operations explores how African financial institutions must evolve to meet rising digital expectations. With mobile-first consumers, growing fintech ecosystems, and platforms like super apps reshaping user behavior, banks face a dual imperative: deliver world-class digital experiences while maintaining cost-efficiency. The article examines how embedded finance, open banking, and ecosystem partnerships can drive inclusion, innovation, and customer-centricity across Africa’s financial landscape.

How Fintech is Bridging the Financial Inclusion Gap for Africa’s Smallholder Farmers

Smallholder farmers in Africa face growing climate threats yet remain largely excluded from traditional financial systems due to lack of credit histories, collateral, and infrastructure. This article explores how fintech innovations — from mobile lending and digital wallets to AI-powered credit scoring and blockchain — are transforming financial access for rural farmers. By leveraging alternative data and user-friendly platforms, fintech is helping build climate resilience, boost agricultural productivity, and close a $117 billion financing gap. The piece also emphasizes the importance of cross-sector collaboration to drive scalable, inclusive, and sustainable financial solutions.

How Money Moves Across Borders – and Why Securing It Matters

Money moves across borders in Africa every day, often amounting to billions in cross-border payments, remittances, and government transfers. This vast flow of funds is processed through an increasingly strained infrastructure that faces evolving threats and complex regulatory environments. The shift from deterministic to adaptive authentication has become central to securing transactions, especially in regions like Africa where mobile penetration is high and infrastructure can be fragmented. Additionally, most African cross-border payments still rely on external systems, introducing inefficiencies and costs. To improve security and efficiency, there’s a need for region-specific initiatives, enhanced governance frameworks, and innovative technologies like distributed ledger systems and AI. The future of secure cross-border payments in Africa lies in integrating security into the core financial architecture, ensuring better interoperability, and establishing shared standards across borders.

Kaspersky Unveils GriffithRAT: Advanced Malware Targeting Fintech and Online Trading Platforms

Kaspersky has discovered GriffithRAT, a sophisticated malware targeting fintech firms, online trading platforms, and betting companies across the UAE, Egypt, Turkiye, and South Africa. Spread via Skype and Telegram, GriffithRAT disguises itself as financial analysis documents to steal sensitive data such as login credentials, keystrokes, and webcam feeds. Linked to cyber mercenaries, this malware is part of a growing trend of targeted, commercial cyberattacks aimed at corporate espionage and data theft.

Digital empowerment takes root in Zimbabwe with EFTCorp and EmpowerBank Limited

Digital financial inclusion is gaining momentum in Zimbabwe through a strategic partnership between EFTCorp and EmpowerBank Limited, a youth-focused microfinance institution. Together, they are building a robust digital ecosystem that supports underserved communities—particularly young people and women—by providing accessible banking infrastructure, youth microloans, financial literacy programs, and entrepreneurship support. EmpowerBank’s grassroots development initiatives are complemented by EFTCorp’s cutting-edge digital payment technologies, enabling mobile-first, scalable, and secure financial services. This public-private collaboration exemplifies how digital transformation can foster economic empowerment and sustainable development from the ground up.