The Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, is calling on African policymakers and industry leaders to step forward and actively shape the future of global finance instead of remaining on the sidelines.
Speaking at the 3i Africa Summit in Accra, he said the continent has reached a decisive moment—one where deliberate action and stronger coordination will determine its role in the rapidly evolving global financial system.
“The question before us is straightforward: will Africa simply adopt the next phase of finance, or will Africa help to shape it?” he posed.
Dr Asiama pointed to Africa’s growing success in financial inclusion, driven largely by the rise of digital financial services such as mobile money and branchless banking. These innovations, he noted, have created a solid platform for further progress.
He revealed that nearly half of adults in Sub-Saharan Africa now have access to digital financial accounts, reflecting steady gains in expanding access to financial services across the region.
But he cautioned that access alone is no longer enough. The priority now, he stressed, is to ensure that financial inclusion delivers real economic value.
“Access must translate into scale, and access must translate into value,” he emphasised.
Looking ahead, the BoG Governor said the next phase of digital finance in Africa will depend on how well countries connect their systems, align policies, and build trust across borders.
“The challenge is no longer building systems—it is connecting them,” he noted.
He also highlighted the need for strong partnerships, sustained investment, and coordinated policies to drive the continent’s financial transformation.
“Our goal must be to ensure that these pillars are not only articulated, but effectively applied through strong partnerships and sustained investment,” he said.
Dr Asiama further stressed that Africa’s digital financial ecosystem must mature, guided by discipline, transparency, and competitiveness.
“A strong financial system is not defined by activity alone. It is defined by discipline, transparency and competitiveness,” he explained.
He concluded that while Africa has made meaningful progress, it now has a rare opportunity to influence the direction of global finance—if it is willing to lead.
“Africa has reached a point where participation is no longer the ambition—leadership is,” he declared.