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Mastercard has called on African banks and fintech companies to adopt global technology tools to strengthen and expand their digital infrastructure across the continent.
The company made the call during its inaugural Africa Edge Summit, which brought together stakeholders from across Africa’s payments ecosystem to discuss how collaboration and innovation can support the region’s digital growth.
Speaking at the summit, Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager for West Africa at Mastercard, noted the region’s strong fintech momentum. She highlighted that Nigeria alone accounted for 28 percent of all fintech companies in Africa in 2024, attracting close to $400 million in investment.
“By blending global technology capabilities with local market knowledge, we are enabling banks, fintechs, and innovators to build open, secure, and scalable payment systems,” she said. “Our partnerships with governments, financial institutions, and emerging digital players are helping to make digital payments easier and safer for millions of people. This demonstrates that financial inclusion and innovation can advance hand-in-hand.”
Also speaking, Ling Hai, President of APEMEA at Mastercard, underscored the importance of faster payments in helping small businesses manage liquidity and expand. He stressed that Africa’s digital progress depends on building payment solutions that are simple, secure, and accessible across different markets and devices.
He called for deeper collaboration between public and private sector actors to ensure that innovation benefits consumers, businesses, and communities across the continent.
The keynote address, delivered by futurist and author John Sanei, examined how emotional intelligence and adaptability will shape leadership success amid rapid advances in artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
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