3i Africa Summit 2026: GhIPSS Positions Ghana at the Centre of Africa’s Digital Financial Integration
Ghana is positioning itself as a leading hub for Africa’s digital financial integration, with Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS) advancing plans to strengthen cross-border payment interoperability across the continent.
Speaking at the summit, a gathering of policymakers, regulators, central bank governors, financial institutions, fintechs, investors, and development partners held in partnership with the Bank of Ghana and the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN), the Chief Executive of GhIPSS, Clara B. Arthur, noted that the future of digital finance in Africa will be driven by interoperable infrastructure that enables money to move seamlessly across borders, institutions, and platforms.
“Africa’s next phase of digital financial transformation will depend on how effectively we connect our payment systems. Interoperability is what will unlock scale, reduce friction, and deliver real economic impact across the continent,” she said. “At GhIPSS, what we are building is not just payment infrastructure, but a connected ecosystem that enables money to move instantly, securely, and without barriers across Africa.”
The summit was convened by the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, with the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, serving as guest speaker. Both highlighted the importance of innovation, collaboration, and digital infrastructure in supporting the continued growth of Africa’s financial ecosystem.
The Vice President called for deeper collaboration among fintechs, financial institutions, and ecosystem players to strengthen participation in Ghana’s digital financial infrastructure and support the development of a more inclusive and connected financial system.
She encouraged stakeholders across the financial ecosystem, particularly fintechs and innovation-driven institutions, to integrate more fully with existing digital infrastructure as part of broader efforts to expand access and efficiency in financial services.
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana reaffirmed the central bank’s commitment to fostering a secure, innovative, and interoperable financial ecosystem that supports financial inclusion, economic growth, and regional integration. He also noted that Africa continues to make steady progress in expanding access to financial services, building on existing gains across the continent.
The discussions at the summit reflected the continued growth of digital payments and financial inclusion across Africa, reinforcing the importance of interoperable systems that support seamless cross-border transactions and regional trade.
GhIPSS indicated its readiness to connect with other instant payment systems across the continent, underscoring that cross-border interoperability remains central to the future of digital finance in Africa.
Ghana’s experience demonstrates how shared infrastructure and collaboration can strengthen financial services delivery. Through platforms such as gh-link, Ghana Instant Pay, Mobile Money Interoperability, and other national payment systems, the country has built a connected ecosystem that enables seamless and instant financial transactions across banks, fintechs, and mobile money providers.
GhIPSS also announced the migration of Ghana’s payment infrastructure to the global ISO 20022 messaging standard to enhance compatibility with international financial systems and support faster, data-rich cross-border payments. In addition, plans are underway to establish an Innovation Hub to support ecosystem collaboration, encourage fintech innovation, and strengthen digital financial services delivery.
The summit reinforced Ghana’s growing leadership role in interoperable payments and highlighted the importance of collaboration, shared infrastructure, and strategic partnerships in building an integrated African digital economy.
