BitcoinKE

Flutterwave’s latest engineering update offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the company is building what it calls Africa’s largest stablecoin infrastructure – a blockchain-based payments backbone designed to place digital value directly into the hands of businesses and consumers across the continent.

At its core, the project is about taking stablecoins – USDT, USDC, and others – beyond speculation and into everyday value movement: low-cost transfers, reliable conversions, and predictable settlement behaviour across fiat and digital rails. The team has already validated live end-to-end flows for inbound and outbound stablecoin transfers and conversions between NGN, USD and major token standards.

The effort is far more than a product sprint – it reflects a deep pivot in Flutterwave’s technology stack toward blockchain-native infrastructure that is predictable, explainable, and intentionally designed to behave exactly as users expect, even in edge cases.

STABLECOINS | Leading African Fintech, Flutterwave, Selects TurnKey to Power Verifiable Stablecoin Wallets Across Africa

Engineering Meets Real-World Value

What distinguishes this initiative from earlier blockchain experiments is the focus on operational realism:

Robust bookkeeping for transparent value movement

Stablecoin flows that behave consistently in diverse network conditions

Support for millions of users from launch day

This isn’t about proving that blockchain works in theory – it’s about deploying it at scale in a payments ecosystem that already moves billions of dollars annually.

ICYMI: Last week, Africa’s largest start-up and payments giant @theflutterwave – valued at $3bn – showcased their $USDC merchant settlement solution built on #Hedera with support from @The_Hashgraph Association’s #Hashgraph Enterprise Program.@BitcoinKE:https://t.co/FsNoYQHCpS

— Hedera (@hedera) October 9, 2023

Why Flutterwave’s Acquisition of Mono Matters

A key element in this puzzle is Flutterwave’s January 2026 acquisition of Nigerian open-banking API provider Mono, a move that has largely flown under the radar outside finance circles.

FINTECH AFRICA | Flutterwave Acquires Nigerian Open Banking Startup, Mono – A Strategic Leap Toward Tokenized Financial Infrastructure

Mono, often dubbed ‘Africa’s Plaid,’ brings capabilities that go far beyond account connectivity:

Bank account linking and identity verification at scale

Direct bank transfer capabilities

Data-driven risk scoring and richer customer profiles

By integrating these functions into its core stack, Flutterwave isn’t just adding open-banking, it’s deepening its infrastructure layer to power customer onboarding, compliance, and fiat-to-stablecoin workflows under one roof. That matters because stablecoin rails depend on seamless interaction with traditional banking systems. Without reliable bank connectivity and risk controls, tokenised value can’t flow safely into and out of fiat systems.

Put simply: Mono’s capabilities help bridge the world of regulated financial data with blockchain-native value settlement. That’s essential when you’re talking about holding and moving customer funds at scale.

 

From Partnerships to Product Activation

This engineering push also complements Flutterwave’s ongoing blockchain strategy. In late 2025, the company announced a multi-year partnership with Polygon Labs to make Polygon’s layer-2 blockchain the default network for stablecoin payment rails – supporting low-cost, near-instant settlements across more than 30 African markets.

PRESS RELEASE | Flutterwave Collaborates with Polygon as an Infrastructure Partner for Stablecoin Payments Across Africa

Together, these moves signal that Flutterwave isn’t experimenting with crypto on the side – it is architecting a hybrid payments stack where:

Open banking ensures trusted bank connectivity

Blockchain rails enable instant, low-fee settlement

Stablecoins serve as the bridge between fiat and tokenised value

 

If Flutterwave delivers on this engineering vision:

Businesses will be able to settle cross-border transactions faster and more affordably

Consumers could enjoy more predictable and transparent payment flows

Developers and partners will have a data-rich, blockchain-enabled stack to build on

It’s a bold bet moves beyond payments gateways and into financial infrastructure and it looks like Flutterwave is betting on this to work.

FINTECH AFRICA | ‘Stablecoin Adoption Has the Potential to 10x the Volumes We’re Currently Doing,’ Says CEO, Flutterwave

 

 

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The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Forum on VAT remains a key platform for countries and stakeholders from around the world to engage on value-added tax (VAT) issues.

The Sixth Meeting of the Forum, held in Paris, convened governments, regional bodies, and international organisations to share experiences and further dialogue on shifting VAT policy and administrative challenges.

ATAF was actively involved in the meeting, presenting African technical insights on two complex and emerging areas of VAT policy to ensure that the region’s realities and administrative contexts are reflected in global discussions.

Mr Emeka Nwankwo, Head of Member Services at ATAF, delivered a presentation on the VAT treatment of crypto assets in Africa. He noted that crypto assets continue to be a frontier issue for tax administrations globally given their rapid evolution and the ongoing state of study. From an African standpoint, he underlined the need to move beyond conceptual theory and towards practical, implementable approaches that take into account administrative capacity and compliance realities.

REGULATION | Crypto Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) Tax Rules Go Live From January 2026 – Uganda and South Africa Among Implementing Nations

Drawing on ATAF’s work with its members, Mr Nwankwo highlighted key considerations such as the importance of:

Set a clear VAT model for token exchange (e.g., exempt vs taxable) aligned to neutrality and administrative capacity

Publish classification guidance covering token dealing, intermediation fees, custody/wallet services, mining, and crypto used as consideration

Clarify valuation methods and evidence requirements to strengthen compliance and auditability

Prioritise compliance on taxable services and fees, and leverage VASP/AML data for risk analytics

Coordinate regionally to reduce arbitrage and improve consistency in terminology and audit approaches

He also emphasized the benefits of regional coordination to reduce arbitrage risks and promote consistency in terminology, audit strategies, and enforcement.

REGULATION | Nigeria Starts Implementing CARF Requirements by Tying Crypto Transactions to Tax and National IDs

In another session, Ms Itumeleng Kgosietsile, Chairperson of ATAF’s Indirect Tax Technical Committee and Acting Director for Technical Services at the Botswana Unified Revenue Service, spoke on the VAT treatment of internationally traded services. Drawing on African country experiences, she explained that successful VAT regimes for cross-border services supplied by non-resident providers are most effective when introduced through a phased, consultative approach.

REGULATION | The Kenya Revenue Authority Nets ~$8.5 Million from Digital Tax in 21 Months – Includes Crypto Taxation

Ms Kgosietsile stressed the importance of structured stakeholder engagement, clear legislative and administrative design, sufficient lead time for readiness and compliance, and the provision of practical guidance that supports both businesses and tax authorities. These elements, she noted, are essential to achieving revenue goals while avoiding undue compliance burdens or uncertainty.

TAXATION | South Africa Revenue Service (SARS) Looking to Double Staff to Enforce Crypto Asset Transaction Disclosures

She also pointed to ATAF’s ongoing collaborative work with the OECD and the World Bank Group on a regional toolkit to help African jurisdictions design and implement compliance regimes for non-resident suppliers that align with regional needs and administrative capacity.

ATAF’s engagement at the Sixth Meeting of the OECD Global Forum on VAT highlights its role as a conduit between global tax policy processes and country-level implementation across Africa. By bringing African perspectives to international fora and translating global developments into actionable guidance, ATAF continues to support its members in navigating the intersections of VAT policy, compliance risk management, digitalisation, and virtual assets.

WATCH | ‘There Are Crypto Exchanges Already Paying Taxes’ – A Chat with the Digital Economy Tax Office, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)

 

 

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The Republic of South Africa has officially acceded to the Establishment Agreement of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Africa’s leading Multilateral Financial Institution, marking the formal entry of one of Africa’s largest economies into the Bank’s membership, heralding deeper financial sovereignty.

The accession follows the South African Parliament’s historic approval of the accession in 2025, cementing a strategic partnership between Africa’s leading multilateral Bank and the continent’s industrial powerhouse. South Africa becomes the 54th state to accede to the Bank’s Establishment Agreement, which constitutes a historic milestone as the two partners seek to unlock trade opportunities within a global financial architecture that is rapidly fragmenting due to protectionist policies and shifting trade blocks.

To operationalise this partnership, Afreximbank will launch major financial interventions in the Country. This includes a new $8 billion Country Programme designed to deepen the South African economy. These programmes are tailored to expand the Bank’s developmental impact; enhance industrial development and regional supply chains and significantly boost intra-African trade and investment flows. This support is strategically aligned with South Africa’s economic ambitions.

As the continent’s highest regional contributor to intra-African trade, accounting for $42.1 billion (19.1%) of the continent’s total trade in 2024, South Africa is uniquely positioned to leverage Afreximbank’s trade infrastructure, expertise and pan African reach to extend its export relationships across the continent.

Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank hailed South Africa’s membership as a ‘decisive step’ noting:

“This affirmation of the membership of South Africa in Afreximbank marks a decisive step towards uniting around the continent’s economic interests, the interests of our mother continent. South Africa’s membership of the Bank, while providing Afreximbank a full continental coverage, brings the country into the heart of Afreximbank’s vision and its aspirations to promote the change so much desired in the structure of Africa’s trade.

“I am therefore pleased that together with the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), under the leadership of Hon. Minister Parks Tau, we have put together what we consider an important package of US$8 billion for South Africa. The country programme is aligned with South Africa’s national development plan 2030 and national industrial and trade priorities, and targets key strategic areas.”

LIST | AfreximBank Announces 8 Innovative Startups for its Inaugural Accelerator Program Cohort

Dr Elombi added that Afreximbank’s current pipeline of projects in South Africa, at different stages of review, exceeds $6 billion, spanning healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, energy, industrial and mining sectors.

 

Commenting on South Africa’s accession to Afreximbank, President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa said:

“Today we mark a major milestone in our quest to realise what I would call the economic integration of our continent. South Africa’s accession to the African Export-Import Bank affirms our commitment to African industrial development and to deepening trade, investment and development across our continent.

Once finalised, the South African-Afreximbank Country programme will be operationalised with a finance package that will initially support a range of strategic projects across the trade and industrial cluster. And one of those areas that we are going to focus on with immediate effect is to give muscle to our Transformation Fund, to support black businesses who, by the way, were held back by the apartheid system from being active participants in the economy of our country.”

President Ramaphosa added,

“For more than 30 years, Afreximbank has demonstrated its own ability, its resilience, its innovative capability but it has more than that demonstrated that it has impact. This partnership will strengthen in more ways than one South Africa’s ability to support South African exporters, industrial projects and regional value chains while advancing our continent’s progress.”

 

Following the announcement, both South Africa and Afreximbank have resolved to jointly pursue trade and economic development programmes, key among them the South Africa-Africa Trade and Investment Promotion Programme (SATIPP), the Afreximbank Guarantee Programme, the financing of Industrial Parks and Special Economic Zones – not to mention export trading company financing – Project and Asset Based Finance, conventional trade finance, Afreximbank Project Preparation, and financing devised to support the creative and cultural industries, as well as a broad range of advisory services.

AfreximBank Calls Off Credit Rating Relationship With Fitch Ratings, Citing Fundamental Differences in Assessment Approach

 

 

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Spot cryptocurrency trading activity on major exchanges has fallen sharply, dropping from roughly $2 trillion in October 2025 to about $1 trillion by the end of January 2026, signaling a significant slowdown as liquidity dries up and investor engagement weakens.

Bitcoin (BTC) has also seen a notable decline, trading around 37.5% below its October 2025 peak, a drop that has been accompanied by reduced market participation and a contraction in overall volume.

2.2.2026 pic.twitter.com/tGypZqIDxD

— BitKE (@BitcoinKE) February 2, 2026

CryptoQuant analyst, Darkfost, described the situation bluntly, saying “spot demand is drying up,” and attributing much of the pullback to the October 10 2025 liquidation event that rattled markets. Since then, spot volumes on major exchanges have roughly halved.

MILESTONE | Crypto Markets Record the Largest Single-Day Liquidation Event in History

For example, in October Binance recorded around $200 billion in Bitcoin trading volume, whereas recent figures show this has declined to around $104 billion, underscoring the broader downturn in activity.

“This contraction in volumes has brought the market back to levels among the lowest observed since 2024, suggesting a clear disengagement from investors in the crypto market and, consequently, weaker demand,” analysts commented.

 

Market liquidity pressures are also evident in stablecoin flows, with notable outflows from exchanges (over $4 billion) and an approximate $10 billion decline in stablecoin market capitalisation, further straining trading conditions.

Strong inflows generally indicate a willingness to gain exposure to the market, while outflows instead suggest capital preservation and a reduction in risk.

Justin d’Anethan, Head of Research at Arctic Digital, said the biggest short-term risks for Bitcoin are macro-driven, particularly uncertainty around Federal Reserve policy under Kevin Warsh, whose hawkish stance could mean slower or fewer rate cuts, a stronger dollar, and higher real yields, all of which typically weigh on risk assets like crypto.

 

Despite the current gloom, d’Anethan offered a contrarian view: he doesn’t believe the narrative of Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation and currency debasement is over, and noted that renewed ETF inflows, clearer pro-crypto regulation, or softer economic data prompting easier policy could ignite a meaningful rally.

“It might be a bitter medicine, but the recent move feels ultimately necessary and healthy to clear out leverage, tone down speculation, and force investors to reconsider valuations,” he said.

 

Alphractal Founder and CEO, Joao Wedson, added that the market hasn’t yet reached a true price bottom. For that to happen, he noted, short-term holders (STH) must be underwater, which is currently the case, but long-term holders (LTH) must also begin to carry losses, a condition not yet met.

Wedson explained that bear markets typically end only after the realised price of STH falls below that of LTH, and that a break below the key support level near $74,000 could push Bitcoin into a proper bear market.

MARKET ANALYSIS | ‘There is No Retail Interest in Crypto Right Now,’ Say Analysts

 

 

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African Export-Import Bank (AfreximBank) has announced the selection of eight finalists for the inaugural cohort of its Afreximbank Accelerator Program. The three-month programme, set to begin in March 2026, is aimed at supporting high-potential African startups developing solutions to strengthen intra-African trade.

The finalists emerged from a highly competitive pool of more than 1,600 applications, reflecting the depth and diversity of entrepreneurial talent across the continent. The selection process involved in-depth business reviews, interviews, and pitch presentations, evaluated by Afreximbank trade experts alongside external specialists from the venture capital and innovation ecosystem.

Here is the list of startups:

FinCart

OnePort 365

Timon

Zowasel

Gebeya

Fluna

Capsa

Daba Finance

The chosen startups align closely with Afreximbank’s mandate to deliver tangible progress in intra-African and Global Africa trade. Spanning sectors such as agriculture, e-commerce, market access, financial technology, supply chain solutions, and manufacturing, the finalists are positioned to tackle key trade bottlenecks affecting both continental and diaspora markets, while supporting Africa’s industrialisation ambitions.

AfCFTA | The Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) Kicks Off in Algeria as Leaders Call for Acceleration in Intra-African Trade

Applications were received from across Africa, the diaspora, and CARICOM, underscoring the programme’s wide geographic reach and Afreximbank’s commitment to continental integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). By focusing on startups from Seed to Series A stages and applying a structured three-stage evaluation process that blends expert judgment, practical business analysis, and strategic innovation criteria, the accelerator seeks to scale high-impact ventures while nurturing a sustainable, trade-driven development ecosystem.

Finalists in the Afreximbank Accelerator Program will benefit from a comprehensive support package, including:

Equity investment: Subject to selection criteria, up to US$250,000 in equity financing through Afreximbank’s impact investment subsidiary, the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), to support rapid scaling and operational expansion.

Mentorship: Guidance from experienced professionals and industry leaders, including investors, trade specialists, and thought leaders dedicated to advancing Africa’s economic integration under the AfCFTA.

Market access: Entry into Afreximbank’s pan-African trade ecosystem, encompassing trade facilitation initiatives, regulatory support pathways, and access to the Bank’s extensive network of public- and private-sector partners and multilateral institutions.

Throughout the programme, participants will take part in virtual learning sessions, practical workshops, and in-person engagements hosted in regional hubs such as Abuja and Nairobi, as well as at Afreximbank’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. The programme will conclude with a flagship Demo Day, where startups will present their solutions to a global audience of investors, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.

 

Mr. Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank at Afreximbank commented:

“The Afreximbank Accelerator Programme reflects our belief in the power of innovation to transform intra-African trade and also underscores the important role that Global Africa’s innovation plays in realising the promise of the AfCFTA.

This inaugural cohort represents the future of African enterprise, and we are proud to invest in them from vision to scale to nurture solutions needed to unlock trade across Africa, the diaspora, and the Caribbean.”

 

The Afreximbank Accelerator Program reinforces the Bank’s commitment to promoting homegrown, scalable solutions that address critical trade challenges and help realise Africa’s economic potential under the AfCFTA framework.

AfreximBank Calls Off Credit Rating Relationship With Fitch Ratings, Citing Fundamental Differences in Assessment Approach

 

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___________________________________________

Zaru Network has officially launched ZAR Universal (ZARU), a new institutional-grade stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the South African Rand (ZAR) in partnership with Luno, a leading South African crypto exchange.

Designed to modernise payments and financial infrastructure, ZARU enables both retail and institutional participants to transact at internet speed while strengthening the local financial system.

Traditionally, payments, cross-border trade, and remittances using the Rand have been constrained by limited banking hours and high fees. By operating on blockchain technology, ZARU offers a trusted, Rand-backed digital currency capable of instant, 24/7 settlement, connecting South African markets directly with the global digital economy.

Every ZARU issued is fully backed by high-quality, liquid Rand-denominated assets, including cash, bank deposits (Standard Bank South Africa), and South African government bonds, independently audited each month by Moore Johannesburg for transparency and stability. These assets remain within the South African financial system to help drive global demand for Rand-denominated holdings.

Introducing $ZARU

The South African Rand just went global.

Today marks the official launch of ZAR Universal $ZARU – a new institutional-grade, Rand-backed stablecoin, built to bring faster, cheaper and always-on payments to the internet economy.

What makes $ZARU… https://t.co/RAjRe8ChCW

— EasyEquities (@EasyEquities) February 3, 2026

The underlying assets are managed by Sanlam Specialised Asset Management (Pty) Ltd under a formal asset liability management agreement.

“We are excited to provide asset liability management services through Sanlam Specialised Asset Management given its potential to significantly contribute to financial inclusion,” said Jacques Le Roux, CEO of Sanlam Financial Markets.

“We’re connecting traditional financial markets to the world of blockchain to enable cheaper, faster payments.” 

 

The initiative is a collaborative effort between some of South Africa’s most respected financial institutions,

Luno

Sanlam

EasyEquities, and

Lesaka

combining established financial infrastructure with blockchain innovation to unlock real-world utility and accelerate adoption of a Rand-backed digital asset.

 

“We are delighted to collaborate with trusted institutions to launch a Rand-backed stablecoin with meaningful real-world applications,” said James Lanigan, CEO of Luno.

“ZARU is a crucial milestone for South Africa’s digital economy. It’s designed to make everyday payments and money transfers faster and cheaper, while fully supported by secure reserves that help strengthen the local financial system.” 

LIST | South African Crypto Exchange, Luno, Crowned 2025 ‘Crypto Exchange of the Year’ by MyBroadband

“Our mission has always been to make investing easy and accessible,” added Charles Savage, CEO of EasyEquities.

“We’re providing South Africans with a fast, trusted, and low-cost way to seamlessly participate in the future of finance while keeping the Rand at the center.”

 

“We are delighted to support the evolution of South Africa’s payments infrastructure through this partnership,” said Ali Mazanderani, Executive Chairman of Lesaka.

“We believe ZARU is exceptionally well positioned to accelerate the speed and reduce the cost of Rand payments, benefitting consumers, businesses and society as a whole.”

 

From today, ZARU is available exclusively to qualified institutional investors via the trading desks of Luno and EasyEquities. The platforms plan a phased rollout to broaden access to retail users in the near future.

First Rand Stablecoin, ZARP, Goes Live on the OVEX Exchange in South Africa

 

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Tether, the world’s leading stablecoin issuer, has announced the expansion of USDT and Tether Gold support within MiniPay, Opera’s self-custodial stablecoin wallet built on the Celo blockchain. The integration is aimed at increasing financial access in emerging markets by enabling users to send, receive, and hold digital dollars and tokenized gold with ease and security.

USDT, with a market capitalization well over $180 billion, remains the most widely used and trusted digital dollar globally. Its direct integration into MiniPay allows users to transact with stable value and without needing to manage complex blockchain interfaces.

2025 RECAP | Tether (USD₮) Reports Over 500 Million Users and Over $10 Billion in Profit for 2025

According to Opera’s latest operational data, MiniPay has grown into one of the largest self-custodial stablecoin wallets worldwide, with

over 12.6 million activated wallets

more than 350 million transactions, and

an estimated 3.64 million on-chain users on the Celo blockchain.

In Q4 2025 alone, on-chain usage grew by 50%, highlighting accelerating demand across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

As of December 2025, MiniPay reported 7 million phone-verified USDT wallets and saw roughly 300,000 unique USDT buyers in that month, up about 33 % month-over-month. Stablecoin transfers and peer-to-peer payments processed via MiniPay continued to scale, reinforcing dollar-denominated wallet activity in mobile-centric markets.

Recall that in November 2025, MiniPay became the first stablecoin wallet on the Celo blockchain to enable instant spending of USD₮ (Tether) across Latin America’s dominant real-time payment rails – PIX in Brazil and Mercado Pago in Argentina.

The rollout, powered by Noah, introduces MiniPay’s new “Pay like a local” feature, allowing any user – resident or traveler – to pay directly from their USD₮ balance to PIX or Mercado Pago, with merchants receiving funds in local currency in seconds. No local bank account. No residency. No cash-out step. No card failures.

PRESS RELEASE | MiniPay Unlocks Instant USD₮ Spending across Latin America’s Biggest Payment Rails

MiniPay’s African footprint – But No Specific Regional Breakdown Disclosed

MiniPay’s rapid growth has been particularly noteworthy in the Global South. Independent reporting from the Africa Tech Summit 2025 highlighted that MiniPay had surpassed approximately 5 million activations in emerging markets by early 2025. However, when asked for a breakdown of its Africa-specific user base, MiniPay declined to disclose the number of users in Africa alone, raising further speculation about the disclosures.

AFRICA TECH SUMMIT 2025 | MiniPay Wins Web3 Award as it Surpasses 5 Million Activations in the Global South

Earlier milestones indicate strong adoption across African markets.

 

In February 2024, Opera and industry reporting noted MiniPay had crossed 1 million users across Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana within five months of its launch in late 2023. At that time, MiniPay also declined to specify exact counts by country.

“Tether’s mission has always been to provide simple, reliable access to stable value for people who need it most,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether.

“By supporting USDT and XAU₮0 in MiniPay, we’re helping create tools that make digital assets genuinely useful, whether for sending money, saving in dollars, or protecting value in gold. Financial inclusion is not just about technology; it’s about building systems that work for everyday life.” 

 

“Integrating USDT directly into MiniPay turns smartphone reach into real financial access,” said Jørgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera.

“Millions of users are now holding, sending, and saving in digital dollars seamlessly, often for the first time. MiniPay brings stable, on-chain money to the people who need it most.” 

Opera’s MiniPay Reportedly Hits 1 Million African Users in 5 Months

In addition to USDT, MiniPay also supports tokenized gold through Tether Gold (via XAU₮0), offering users an accessible, inflation-resistant savings option alongside stablecoins.

 

_______________

Notes to Readers:

XAU₮0 is a bridged version of Tether Gold (XAU₮). It is not issued by Tether.

MiniPay remains a non-custodial wallet that enables direct on-chain P2P stablecoin transfers, with third-party integrations facilitating additional services such as on-ramp/off-ramp and cash­-to­-crypto conversions. 

How Opera’s MiniPay is Serving as a Distribution Channel for African Blockchain Startups

 

 

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___________________________________________

With just a few days to go before the Africa Tech Summit 2026 scheduled for February 11-12, 2026, BitKE spoke to the London Stock Exchange (LSE), one of the key sponsors of the summit.

Ajayi Abi, the lead for Africa & Middle East Primary Markets at the London Stock Exchange, sat down with the Managing Editor at BitKE to discuss the support the LSE is offering to African issuers. With around 110 African companies, the LSE is now one of the largest aggregation of African companies outside of the continent.

Abi breaks down what it actually takes for an African company to get listed on the LSE.

 

Use code: BitcoinKE10 to get 10% off tickets.

Link: https://www.africatechsummit.com/nairobi/register/

 

Here is the exclusive Q&A.

 

BitKE: Abi, for those who may not know you, could you briefly introduce yourself and your role?

 

Abi: Certainly. I lead the Africa & Middle East Primary Markets team at the London Stock Exchange. My work centers on supporting issuers such as companies, founders, and governments as they consider accessing international capital through London – through our various market pathways.

I have spent my career at the intersection of issuers, asset owners, investors, and policymakers, and I am passionate about helping businesses from the region, particularly on how they tell their stories, and connect with capital and opportunities on a global stage.

 

 

BitKE: How would you describe the London Stock Exchange’s experience working with African companies?

 

Abi: The experience has been consistently positive. We have a long history of supporting African companies and have around 110 companies from the continent listed on our markets, with a combined total market capitalization of around $180billion.

The London Stock Exchange is home to the largest aggregation of African companies outside of Africa. Since 2015, African governments and corporates have raised more than $150bn (equity and debt) on our markets Our African issuers bring strong growth stories, resilient business models and deep market relevance. Investors in London have long understood sectors like financial services, natural resources, telecoms and infrastructure, where African companies often lead.

We are also proud of the work we are doing to support tech and tech-enabled companies across the funding continuum.

We also see meaningful interest in dual listings, which allow companies to maintain their home‑market presence while accessing global pools of institutional capital with our International Secondary Listing Segment. The engagement is increasingly sophisticated, and companies are approaching the process with clear strategy and long‑term ambition.

 

 

BitKE: What does it actually take for an African company to list in London? Are there any unique requirements?

 

Abi: The core requirements are the same for any international issuer: strong governance, high‑quality audited financials, an effective board, and transparent reporting.

For African companies, the nuances tend to be practical rather than regulatory. For example, bridging local reporting practices with the UK’s disclosure standards, managing currency considerations, or educating global investors on the operating environment.

These are not obstacles – they’re simply part of preparing a company for global visibility. With the right advisers, companies can navigate this seamlessly.

 

Use code: BitcoinKE10 to get 10% off tickets.

Link: https://www.africatechsummit.com/nairobi/register/

 

 

BitKE: You work closely with African issuers. What trends or patterns are you observing?

 

Abi: Across the board, companies are becoming much more intentional about timing, investor education and the mechanics of going public. In Africa, three trends stand out:

Large‑cap national champions – particularly in the banking, energy and infrastructure sectors – are exploring cross‑border listings to broaden their investor base

Tech‑enabled and fintech platforms are increasingly considering London, especially where governance, cost efficiency and regulatory alignments matter. There is also the opportunity to utilise our innovative Private Securities Markets, which connects private and public markets by enabling private companies to access intermittent liquidity for existing shareholders and evolve their shareholder base through public markets infrastructure.

Privatization pipelines and carve-outs are gaining attention as conversations grow around global capital access and unlocking value from existing assets.

 

 

BitKE: There’s huge interest globally in digital assets and emerging tech. How is London engaging with these companies? And do you have African examples?

 

Abi: London works extensively with emerging tech – fintech, cyber, healthtech, digital infrastructure and software-led businesses.

The regulatory environment here is principles‑based and transparent, which gives growing companies looking to access capital through public markets with strong credibility with investors.

From Africa specifically, we see dynamic engagement from fintech and mobile‑money platforms, digital‑payments infrastructure companies, and tech‑enabled businesses from Cape Town to Cairo. Companies often start by exploring eligibility and valuation frameworks far ahead of a transaction.

We encourage early dialogue – it leads to stronger outcomes.

 

London Stock Exchange to Start Clearing Crypto Trades in Q4 2023

 

BitKE: What concerns do digital‑asset or emerging‑tech companies raise when considering a listing?

 

Abi: Companies from across the globe and across sectors would typically want to learn more about how being as a listed company would work for them and what the process of becoming a public company entails, for example:

• Regulatory clarity – how their model fits into UK listing rules.

• Disclosure expectations – how to remain transparent without revealing sensitive data.

• Investor appetite for pre‑profit models – London is receptive, but investors want clarity on unit economics and a path to profitability.

• Valuation benchmarking – how London compares with other markets.

• Board readiness – ensuring the governance structure matches public‑market expectations.

All of these can be addressed through preparation and early engagement.

 

 

BitKE: Finally, what’s your message to African companies exploring global capital markets?

 

Abi: The message is simple: London is open, international and reform‑driven.

For African companies with strong fundamentals, good governance and global ambition, London offers depth, visibility and a highly engaged investor base.

 

 

Use code: BitcoinKE10 to get 10% off tickets.

Link: https://www.africatechsummit.com/nairobi/register/

 

Q&A | Empowering African Builders to Address African Challenges on Their Own Terms – A Chat with Sustainability and Innovation Lead, Cardano Foundation

 

 

 

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Nigeria has been ranked sixth globally among countries contributing to real GDP growth in 2026, according to the most recent projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

IMF data shows that Nigeria is projected to contribute 1.5% of total global real GDP growth in 2026. This places Africa’s largest economy ahead of several advanced and emerging countries, including Germany, Brazil, and Indonesia – a notable marker of its expanding economic influence on the world stage.

China is forecast to remain the leading global growth driver, with a 26.6% share, followed by

India with 17.0%, and

The United States in third place at 9.9%.

Within the IMF’s top ten list for 2026, other projected contributors include

Indonesia (3.8%)

Türkiye (2.2%)

Saudi Arabia (1.7%)

Vietnam (1.6%)

Brazil (1.5%) and

Germany (0.9%),

with China and India together expected to account for over 43% of global expansion.

The data also highlights the continued dominance of the Asia-Pacific region, which is projected to contribute nearly half of total global growth, a trend reflecting broader shifts in economic momentum.

Nigeria’s ranking underscores its growing role among emerging market economies, even as it continues to confront domestic and international economic headwinds.

ECONOMY | Nigerian Economy Grows By Over 3% Annually in Q2 2024

 

This shift reflects a broader transformation in Africa’s economic landscape, driven by reforms such as currency adjustments, the removal of fuel subsidies, and efforts to stabilise public finances. These have supported stronger domestic demand despite ongoing structural challenges.

In previous outlooks, South Africa, long Africa’s largest economy by nominal GDP, had ranked ahead of Nigeria in terms of contribution to global growth. However, power shortages, logistical bottlenecks, weak private investment and high unemployment have constrained South Africa’s growth prospects, reducing its relative share of global expansion.

The IMF projects that Nigeria’s real GDP will expand by 4.4% in 2026, compared with South Africa’s more modest forecast of 1.4% over the same period, helping to explain the shift in their relative contributions to global growth.

Despite these gains, key domestic indicators, including inflation, exchange-rate stability, real wages and employment, remain under pressure, and the IMF notes that its projections are conditional and subject to revision.

REPORT | Nigeria is One of Developing Countries Accounting for the Majority of Actual On-Chain Activity, Says a16z’s ‘State of Crypto 2025’ Report

 

 

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South Africa’s struggling state power utility, Eskom, is reportedly exploring ways to link its vast electricity infrastructure with the world of Bitcoin – not by magically minting wealth, but as part of a broader strategy to find new revenue streams and manage grid pressures.

At the heart of the conversation are two persistent challenges:

Eskom’s deteriorating financials and

A grid that, despite periods of relative calm, remains fragile after decades of underinvestment, plant breakdowns and rolling load shedding.

BITCOIN | Phoenix Group Reports Q1 2025 Results with $31 Million Revenue, Partly From Ethiopian Bitcoin Mining Operations

From Power Supply to Crypto Speculation

According to industry reports, Eskom’s leadership has acknowledged interest in Bitcoin mining and other energy-intensive technologies, including artificial intelligence data centres, as potential future revenue sources. These ideas have been floated at conferences and in investor presentations as Eskom looks beyond traditional tariffs.

Proponents argue that Bitcoin mining could, in theory, serve as a flexible load sink consuming surplus generation during low demand periods and potentially helping balance the grid through controllable demand. But this is still highly speculative with no confirmed plans, timelines, or regulatory approvals.

What Eskom is actually doing at this stage appears limited to early technical and commercial exploration.

BITCOIN IN ETHIOPIA |

EEP (Ethiopia Electric Power) revenue from Bitcoin mining for the last year estimated to be $220 Million.

The internal distribution of electricity reveals how Ethiopia’s economic priorities are shifting. #Bitcoin #Ethiopia $BTC pic.twitter.com/u0QZ15iPTK

— BitKE (@BitcoinKE) August 9, 2025

Why Bitcoin Isn’t a Grid Fix (Yet)

South Africa’s electricity system isn’t operating from a position of surplus. Despite some improvements in generation availability, Eskom still faces:

Structural grid instability, with load shedding remaining a spectre even in quieter months due to unplanned outages and aging infrastructure.

A generation mix dominated by coal and constrained transmission capacity, making real flexibility a challenge.

Diesel-powered peaker plants and open-cycle gas turbines used to prevent supply shortfalls during peak demand, a costly necessity rather than an optional extra.

In this context, Bitcoin mining might theoretically offer a controllable, interruptible load that could help with load balancing but it’s not a proven solution to grid stability, nor is it a guaranteed new earnings engine. The idea remains in the realm of speculation and exploratory discussion, rather than concrete utility policy.

Any discussion of Eskom and Bitcoin can’t be separated from the wider South African energy crisis. The country has battled rolling blackouts for nearly two decades, and while load shedding has eased at times, the underlying pressures on generation and transmission persist. Structural deficiencies, maintenance backlogs and financial constraints still shape how Eskom operates and what it can realistically take on.

Precedent Across Africa

This isn’t unique to South Africa. Many utilities globally are exploring creative ways to monetise excess capacity or stabilise grids with flexible loads and emerging technologies.

In 2022, it was reported that Kenya’s largest state energy company, KenGen, was looking at setting up an energy park to allow bitcoin mining companies to set up operations and take advantage of the competitively-priced geothermal steam.

KenGen, Kenya’s Largest State Energy Company, to Supply Clean Energy for Bitcoin Mining

In 2024, it was reported that the Kenya government had entered into an agreement with Bitcoin mining company, Marathon Digital, to capitalize on the nation’s under-utilized energy resources.

BITCOIN | Marathon Digital to Invest $80 Million to Tap Kenya’s Green Energy Resources for Bitcoin Mining

In 2024, Ethiopia became a focus for Chinese bitcoin miners attracted by cheap energy linked to the country’s and Africa’s largest dam, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). As of January 2025, bitcoin miners in Ethiopia accounted for 2.25% of the total bitcoin mining hashrate.

LIST | A Look At the 10 Key Milestones Behind Ethiopia’s Rise As a Bitcoin Mining Haven in 2024

However, for now, Eskom’s flirtation with Bitcoin remains preliminary commentary, not a throttled-up industrial strategy.

BITCOIN | Ethiopia Government Generates $55 Million from Bitcoin Mining Operations Over the Past 10 Months

 

 

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Tether International, the company behind the USDT stablecoin, has released its Q4 2025 attestation, prepared by BDO – a top-five global independent accounting firm – confirming the accuracy of its Financial Figures and Reserves Report (FFRR) and offering a clear view of the assets backing USD₮ as of December 31 2025.

The report highlights a landmark year for Tether, defined by extraordinary issuance, balance-sheet expansion, and profitability, reflecting the global scale at which USD₮ operates. In 2025, Tether delivered net profits exceeding $10 billion, with excess reserves of $6.3 billion, underscoring its position as one of the most profitable and financially resilient privately held companies.

MILESTONE | USDT Issuer, Tether, Sees ~10% Growth in Profits in H1 2025

Through disciplined reserve management and strategic deployment of capital across U.S. Treasuries, digital assets, and proprietary investment vehicles, Tether sustained this strong performance while advancing growth across its digital dollar ecosystem, which now serves more than 530 million users worldwide.

During the year, Tether issued nearly $50 billion in new USD₮, the second-largest annual issuance in its history, with roughly $30 billion of that issued in the second half of 2025 amid rising global demand for dollar liquidity in emerging markets, payments, and digital-asset trading.

MILESTONE | Stablecoins Cross $300 Billion in Market Cap for the First Time

As a result, total USD₮ in circulation exceeded $186 billion, reaching an all-time high, while total reserve assets climbed to nearly $193 billion, also a record, with reserves continuing to exceed liabilities.

Tether’s exposure to U.S. Treasuries also reached unprecedented levels in 2025, reflecting a continued emphasis on highly liquid, low-risk assets:

Direct U.S. Treasury holdings exceeded $122 billion, the highest ever held by the company

Total direct and indirect Treasury exposure surpassed $141 billion, including overnight reverse repurchase agreements

EXPERT OPINION | If Stablecoins Just 5x from Today – Tether ($USDT) and Circle ($USDC) Become the #1 Buyers of U.S. Debt Worldwide

This places Tether among the largest holders of U.S. government debt globally, highlighting its expanding role as a key conduit for global dollar demand.

As of December 31 2025, Tether reported:

Total assets of approximately $192.9 billion

Total liabilities of approximately $186.5 billion, of which $186.45 billion relate to digital tokens issued

Tether’s proprietary investments in sectors such as AI, energy, media, fintech, precious metals, agriculture, and communications, managed through the Tether Global Investment Fund SICAF S.A, are not included in the reserves backing USD₮. These initiatives, funded from excess capital and profits, are fully separated from USD₮ reserves and now exceed $20 billion.

 

“What matters about 2025 is not just the scale of growth, but the structure behind it,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether.

“USD₮ expanded because global demand for dollars is increasingly moving outside traditional banking rails. USD₮, with its network effect and parabolic growth, has become the most widely adopted monetary social network in history. Our strong risk-management framework, asset allocation, and liquidity decisions are designed to ensure USD₮ remains reliable and usable at global scale, even under extreme demand.”

STABLECOINS | ‘We Have 400 Million Users in Emerging Markets – We’re Basically Pushing Dollar Hegemony, Selling U.S Debt Outside the U.S,’ Says Tether CEO

With record issuance, reserves exceeding liabilities by billions, historic Treasury exposure, and robust risk management, Tether enters 2026 with one of the strongest balance sheets of any global company. As worldwide demand for digital dollars, inflation hedges, and programmable financial instruments accelerates, Tether remains positioned as a foundational pillar of global digital liquidity.

2025 RECAP | Leading Stablecoin Company, Tether, Among the Top 5 Largest Bitcoin Holders in 2025

 

 

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The existing model of globalization is reaching its limits and is being replaced by a new, more decentralized global order built around multiple centers of economic and political power, according to Maksim Oreshkin, deputy head of Russia’s presidential administration.

Speaking at a forum in Moscow, Oreshkin said the system that underpinned global economic integration for decades was based on centralized decision-making, concentrated financial infrastructure, and the dominance of a small group of countries. That model, he argued, no longer reflects the realities of the modern world.

Instead, the global economy is moving toward a multipolar structure, in which development, production, and growth are distributed across different regions rather than coordinated from a single center. This shift is being driven by structural changes in global trade, technology, and finance, as well as by rising demand from countries seeking greater economic sovereignty.

The Multipolar World, the Age of Illusion is Over

Oreshkin noted that restrictions, sanctions, and the politicization of traditional financial mechanisms have accelerated this transition. As centralized systems become less reliable or accessible, countries and businesses are increasingly forced to explore alternative, more decentralized approaches to cooperation, payments, and economic coordination leveraging blockchain, artificial intelligence, and platform-based solutions.

GLOBAL | Over 60% of Low-Income Countries, Nearly Half of the Global Population, Dealing With Sanctions, Financial Penalties from the U.S.

According to Oreshkin, the new phase of globalization will not mean isolation or fragmentation, but rather a reconfiguration of global ties. Economic links will persist, but they will be built on new platforms, regional networks, and diversified supply chains, reducing dependence on any single hub or authority.

He added that emerging economies are playing a growing role in shaping this transformation, as they develop their own industrial capacity, technological ecosystems, and financial infrastructure. This redistribution of economic activity, Oreshkin said, is laying the foundation for a more balanced global system.

A growing body of international commentary supports the idea that globalization is evolving rather than disappearing. China’s foreign ministry, for example, has framed the future of globalization as “equal, orderly, and universally beneficial,” where no single country monopolises decision-making and each nation can pursue its own development pathway.

Canadian Prime Minister openly talks about the Western ‘fiction’ of international rules-based world order |

“We knew that the story about the rules-based order was partially false…

That the strongest would exempt themselves when convenient.

That the trade rules were… pic.twitter.com/E3RmGpPZ6V

— BitKE (@BitcoinKE) January 21, 2026

Academic research also traces the shift toward a multipolar order in both politics and economics, noting that historical patterns of world order evolve through phases of concentrated power toward more distributed influence as states pursue competitive advantage and autonomy.

The shift toward a multipolar and decentralized world order reflects deeper changes in how countries interact economically and politically. While the old globalization model was defined by uniform rules and centralized institutions, the new one will be shaped by plurality, regional integration, and distributed systems of cooperation.

OPINION | Why Russia’s Claims About America’s Crypto Reset Plan Actually Make Sense

 

 

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Written by Malika Bouyad

Online press conferences – or OPCs – have become routine across Africa. Governments, multinationals, DFIs, and listed companies use them to deliver speed, access and reach across markets.

What has changed is not their prevalence but their function.

Today, an OPC is less a platform for information-sharing than a live test of institutional confidence – conducted in public, under pressure, and judged less on what is said than on how an organisation behaves when control loosens.

 

What journalists are Really Watching

Journalists don’t join OPCs simply to hear prepared remarks. They attend to observe how an organisation responds when questioning escalates.

They notice hesitation. They track how follow-ups are handled or deferred. They assess whether responses feel coordinated or internally negotiated.

These signals shape how reporting unfolds long after the session ends. Organisations that appear coherent and assured are treated differently from those that appear cautious, fragmented or defensive.

This scrutiny is particularly pronounced in multi-market African contexts, where regulatory pressure, political sensitivity and uneven access to information intersect. A question that appears technical may carry implications across jurisdictions. A pause intended to be responsible can be read as evasion.

Once the OPC begins, there’s no private margin for error.

 

Why OPCs expose more than messaging

Most OPC failures are not technical. The platform works. The speakers arrive. The agenda is followed. What falters is decision confidence.

OPCs surface assumptions organisations often make about access, responsibility and escalation – assumptions that may hold internally but unravel in live environments.

Who’s authorised to answer follow-up questions if new information emerges? Who decides whether a line of questioning should be closed or pursued? Who has the mandate to intervene if legal, reputational and operational priorities collide?

Too often, these decisions are assumed rather than designed, and the gap becomes visible quickly.

 

OPCs sit on the critical path of reputation

OPCs are not neutral containers. They’re live by default; attended by journalists publishing in real time; recorded, clipped and redistributed immediately; and accessed across borders, time zones and editorial contexts. This means design choices become reputational choices.

An OPC that appears controlled but inflexible raises different concerns from one that appears responsive but disorganised. In both cases, journalists draw conclusions not only about the issue at hand, but about the institution behind it.

This is why, in practice, OPCs demand far more than technical execution. They require governance, media judgement, and active stewardship of how information moves across markets.

 

Five judgements that separate stable OPCs from fragile ones

This isn’t about tools or formats. It’s about governance under pressure.

1.) Access must be designed, not assumed Open access is not inherently inclusive. Controlled registration protects the integrity of the briefing without limiting legitimate media participation.

2.) Responsibility must be explicit An OPC is not one task. Moderation, access control, technical oversight and decision authority must be clearly owned. When roles blur, response slows precisely when speed matters.

3.) Preparation is about failure, not polish Dry runs expose handover gaps, translation delays, escalation blind spots and decision bottlenecks. In pan-regional OPCs, preparation is risk mitigation.

4.) Escalation must be agreed before it’s needed Live environments do not allow for internal debate. Effective OPCs define in advance who can intervene, pause proceedings or redirect if the briefing is compromised.

5.) Distribution is part of the event An OPC disconnected from press release publishing, newsroom access and post-event assets fragments interpretation and weakens impact.

OPINION | Why Western Media is Dying and Why the Global South Should Take Note

Beyond Rehearsals: Why design drills matter

Among the organisations we consult with, the most effective OPCs are marked by a shift away from traditional rehearsals and towards design drills.

Rehearsals focus on logistics: speakers, timing, slides and links. Design drills focus on decision authority. In practice, this means stress-testing realistic scenarios where information is incomplete, questions escalate unexpectedly, or legal, reputational and operational priorities collide. The aim is to identify where authority is unclear – before that uncertainty plays out in public.

This approach builds institutional confidence, not just presentational polish.

 

Pan-African OPCs in practice

Our work creates the unmatched opportunity to assemble key journalists from across the continent in one setting. Spanning the full lifecycle of a virtual media event, our team develops the brief, secures panellists, manages registrations, coordinates media outreach across markets, and runs the live technical environment – including moderation, Q&A management, and recording.

The differentiator is how these elements are orchestrated to protect credibility under scrutiny.

In Somalia, for example, we supported TikTok’s #SaferTogether digital safety campaign by mapping a high-risk media landscape, working with the Somalia Journalists Association, managing live Q&A, and supporting post-event coverage – resulting in strong qualitative engagement and sustained media dialogue.

In West Africa, a bilingual for Nestlé Maggi combined English and French media participation, same-day execution, and integrated post-event distribution to drive both visibility and measurable commercial outcomes across multiple markets.

In Guinea, our activity formed part of a broader launch strategy for Mercy Ships’ dental education initiative, combining live and on-ground media engagement to position the programme as a regional healthcare milestone.

Across these contexts, the common factor is discipline: how access is controlled, how authority is exercised, and how narratives are guided once the session ends.

 

What strong organisations are doing differently in 2026

OPCs will continue to grow because they solve a real operational problem: speed, access and scale across markets. But the organisations getting real value from them are treating OPCs less like isolated events and more like repeatable systems.

They design the briefing for the way journalism actually works – anticipating what will be quoted, clipped, shared and reframed across markets before the first question is asked.

They also plan for what happens after the session ends: coordinated press release publishing, newsroom-ready assets, rapid turnaround of quotes and cut-downs, and distribution pathways that reduce fragmentation and prevent parallel narratives from forming.

This is the shift that matters.

An OPC that runs smoothly in the room but produces confusion in the replay is not a briefing. It is a missed opportunity.

 

GLOBAL | Billionaires Have Tightened Grip on Global Media by Owning Over Half of World’s Media, Says Oxfam

 

 

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Gold has experienced a powerful rally adding an astonishing $1.5 trillion to its market capitalization in just one day. The precious metal broke through $5,500 per troy ounce, pushing its total market cap to around $34 trillion with the one-day gain nearly matching Bitcoin’s roughly $1.75 trillion market cap, according to Infinite Market Cap data.

Silver also posted strong gains, rallying 21.5% over the past week and reaching a market cap of about $6.6 trillion, further extending its lead over Nvidia, the largest publicly traded company.

This multi-month precious metals rally has been driven by what many investors call the ‘debasement trade,’ contrasting sharply with Bitcoin’s relatively weak performance. Bitcoin has struggled to gain traction since early October, when a crypto market crash wiped out more than $19 billion in positions.

MILESTONE | Crypto Markets Record the Largest Single-Day Liquidation Event in History

Gold’s latest milestone is simply the most recent sign of the strong momentum the precious metal has maintained since 2025. Over the course of that year, gold prices climbed by 64%, marking the metal’s biggest annual gain since 1979.

So far, 2026 appears to be continuing that trend. Within the month alone, gold has broken several records, surpassing its 2025 all-time high on January 6, 2026, when prices reached $4,497.20 per ounce.

Over a five-year period, gold has also outperformed Bitcoin, rising approximately 185.3% compared with Bitcoin’s 164% gain during the same timeframe.

MARKET ANALYSIS | Over 1/4 of Total Circulating Bitcoin Supply is Sitting on Unrealized Loss

A recent Coinbase survey found that 71% of 75 institutional investors believe Bitcoin is undervalued when priced between $85,000 and $95,000, and around 80% said they would either hold or buy more crypto if the market fell another 10%, signaling long-term confidence in digital assets.

Investor sentiment shows a divergence as well: while the Crypto Fear & Greed Index sits in the “fear” zone, a gold sentiment index from JM Bullion registered in the “extreme greed” territory, highlighting the contrasting outlooks between the two assets.

2025 RECAP | The African Stock Market Outperformed Bitcoin and Crypto for the First Time in 2025, Says MyStocks Africa

 

 

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Payment processing provider, Ozow, has announced the official integration of cryptocurrency as a primary payment solution on its platform. This move allows merchants to tap into the growing digital economy by enabling customers to pay for goods and services directly from their crypto wallets.

Ozow has officially launched Crypto Payments!

Merchants can now accept payments from crypto wallets, including Bitcoin Lightning and exchanges like Luno, VALR, and Binance via a single Ozow integration.

Powered by @MoneyBadgerPay

Find out more: https://t.co/Sm2OF4MiLV pic.twitter.com/pe1gtyhF23

— Ozow (@OzowPay) January 28, 2026

Powered by MoneyBadger, South Africa’s Bitcoin-centric payments technology provider, this new offering allows customers to pay directly from their crypto wallets, including Bitcoin Lightning and major exchange wallets such as Luno, VALR and Binance, with instant settlement in South African Rand.

FUNDING | South African Bitcoin & Crypto Payments Solutions Provider, MoneyBadger, Raises $400,000 in Pre-Seed Funding

By adding crypto to its existing suite of

Pay by Bank, Card

Vouchers

Payouts and Refunds, and

PayShap solutions,

Ozow provides a single, unified integration for merchants to access every major way to pay in South Africa.

The shift toward crypto as a transactional currency is accelerating in South Africa.

Recent market data highlights a significant appetite for real-world crypto utility:

There are currently over 6 million registered crypto exchange users in South Africa looking for avenues to spend their digital assets.

A recent co-marketing case study between Luno and Pick n Pay, which integrated with MoneyBadger in 2022, demonstrated a threefold increase in customers using crypto for everyday purchases when presented with clear value and a frictionless experience.

Crypto payments are no longer restricted to niche tech circles; they are being driven by diverse segments, including global travellers avoiding high exchange fees, remote workers receiving salaries in digital assets, and a future-forward generation of Gen Z and Millennial consumers.

EXPERT ANALYSIS | ‘Online Retail Will Reach 10% of All Retail in 2026,’ Say Payment and Logistics Experts in South Africa

“Our mission has always been to simplify the way South Africans pay and get paid, and the introduction of crypto is a natural extension of that commitment to financial enablement. It is also just the start of our journey into digital assets,” said Rachel Cowan, interim CEO of Ozow.

“By bridging the gap between digital assets and everyday utility, we are providing consumers with greater choice and flexibility in how they interact with the digital economy. For our merchants, this is about more than just a new payment method; it is about providing them with a frictionless gateway to a global, tech-forward market, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of the evolving financial landscape while maintaining the simplicity and security they expect from our ecosystem,” said Cowan.

 

For merchants, the integration offers a high-value customer segment without the traditional hurdles of digital asset management. 

Ozow and MoneyBadger handle the complexity of the transaction, ensuring zero volatility risk by instantly converting crypto to South African Rand. Ozow merchants can instantly enable crypto payments without any additional integration required.

Furthermore, crypto processing is often more cost-effective than traditional credit card fees, allowing businesses to preserve higher margins while offering a modern brand identity that aligns with global fintech trends.

MILESTONE | South African Retailer, Pick n Pay, Surpasses Over One Million Rand (~$55,000) a Month in Crypto Payments

“Like Ozow, digital token payments represent advantages to merchants like reduced fraud rates and access to a growing market of tech-savvy consumers that are already saving and spending digital currencies like Bitcoin,” according to MoneyBadger CEO, Carel van Wyk. 

“By working with Ozow, we are making it safe and simple for business owners to offer greater choice in payment options to their customers and stay ahead of the curve.”

 

For consumers, the process is as simple as scanning a QR code or selecting the Crypto option at an online checkout. Transactions are secured by biometric authentication and TLS encryption, providing a level of security that often surpasses traditional physical payment methods.

“This integration signals a major step toward the mainstream adoption of digital assets in the retail and e-commerce sectors,” said Cowan.

PRESS RELEASE | Scan to Pay Enables Direct Crypto Payments Through MoneyBadger Integration to Over 650,000 Merchants in South Africa

 

__________

About Ozow

Ozow is a leading South African fintech company transforming the way consumers and businesses transact through innovative, seamless, and secure payment solutions. Founded in 2014, Ozow specialises in real-time digital payments, offering a range of products including Pay by Bank, Card Payments, PayShap Request, Instant Refunds, Payouts, and Cash Vouchers.

Trusted by South Africa’s biggest brands, Ozow enables millions of South Africans to transact effortlessly, helping merchants unlock growth, reduce friction at checkout, and improve financial accessibility.

Ozow is a licensed System Operator and Third-Party Payment Provider with the Payments Association of South Africa (PASA) and is fully compliant with industry regulations. 

For more information, visit www.ozow.com 

South Africa’s Crypto-Friendly Payment Platform, Ozow, Raises $48 Million Led by China’s Tencent

 

 

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Mukuru, a leading next-generation financial services platform, has been certified as a Top Employer 2026 in both South Africa and Zimbabwe.

This achievement places Mukuru among Africa’s most progressive workplaces and demonstrates that local companies can meet global standards in employee practices while advancing financial inclusion in their markets. It also highlights how a strong culture and empowered teams are key to achieving sustainable growth led by technology.

This is Mukuru’s third consecutive Top Employer certification in South Africa and its second in Zimbabwe, making it the first financial services and technology company in Zimbabwe to receive this honour. The Top Employers Institute evaluates organisations based on their people strategy, culture, talent development, diversity, well-being, and leadership. The certification comes after a detailed assessment against international standards.

FINCLUSION | How South Africa’s Oldest Fintech, Mukuru, Leverages Data to Drive Financial Inclusion

Mukuru’s recognition reflects positive results within its workforce, such as lower turnover, quicker hiring, stronger performance, and improved well-being indicators. Its recruitment approach relies on structured data and behavioural insights, earning global recognition and featuring Mukuru’s practices on the Top Employers Institute’s knowledge hub.

 

“These accolades confirm the daily experience of our people,” said Andy Jury, CEO of Mukuru.

“In fast-changing markets, success relies on teams that feel supported and empowered. Culture is part of strategy; it drives impact at scale.”

 

“Being a Top Employer reflects how people experience leadership, growth, and belonging every day,” added Savina Harrilall, Chief People Officer.

“Our teams in South Africa and Zimbabwe have created a culture that is both high-performing and human, and this recognition reflects their contribution.”

 

The dual-country certification highlights Mukuru’s ability to use global standards in a relevant way for local markets. This is essential for organisations working across diverse African countries. It also strengthens Mukuru’s employer brand with employees, partners, and stakeholders, reinforcing its long-term commitment to building inclusive workplaces that promote growth and innovation.

Mukuru’s employer excellence comes at a time of expanding product and market innovation across its platforms. In November 2025, Mukuru announced a strategic partnership with VALR, Africa’s largest crypto exchange by trade volume, to introduce a USDC (USD-backed stablecoin) wallet to millions of users across the continent. Through this collaboration, accessible via Mukuru’s WhatsApp platform, customers can purchase, hold, and sell USDC, offering a regulated digital savings and value-preservation option in economies facing currency volatility — a move that complements the company’s mission to broaden financial access and inclusion.

PRESS RELEASE | VALR and Mukuru Partner to Advance USDC Stablecoin Savings in Africa

Andy Jury noted that the VALR partnership “is a clear step forward in our strategy to enable Africa’s emerging consumers to send, store, and spend value seamlessly,” reflecting Mukuru’s evolution beyond traditional remittances into broader financial services.

As Mukuru expands across the continent, investing in people and innovative financial solutions remains central to its strategy. This focus ensures resilience, performance, and significant impact for customers, employees, and the wider fintech ecosystem.

REGULATION | South African Remittance Fintech, Mukuru, Granted Deposit License in Zimbabwe, Targets Rural Population

 

 

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After nearly two decades of limited service, global payments giant, PayPal, has re-entered Nigeria’s digital economy, not with a flashy standalone launch, but through a strategic partnership with local fintech, Paga, that finally unlocks inbound international payments for Nigerians.

Under the integration announced in January 2026, Nigerians can now link their PayPal accounts directly to Paga wallets, receive payments from PayPal’s global network in over 200 markets, and withdraw funds locally in Naira for spending, transfers, and other day-to-day needs.

Businesses and creators can also connect their PayPal merchant profiles to Paga for global receipts and faster local settlement.

FINTECH AFRICA | PayPal Plans Wallet-to-Wallet Payments in Africa With PayPal World Using Local Payment Systems

Connecting the Crypto Angle

PayPal’s earlier years in Nigeria were marked by strict restrictions that allowed outbound payments but not inbound balance reception, a limitation that kept Nigerian freelancers, SMEs, and global sellers on the sidelines of critical earnings. This re-entry closes that gap.

Paga’s role is strategic: its deep local rails, regulatory compliance, digital wallet reach, and settlement network give PayPal a ready-built infrastructure to scale cross-border inflows in a way that wasn’t feasible two decades ago.

 

While today’s headlines focus on payments, a parallel shift on the crypto front underscores PayPal’s evolving playbook:

 

1.) PYUSD Stablecoin – Digital Dollars for the Mainstream

PayPal launched its own U.S. dollar–backed stablecoin PYUSD in 2023, a bridge between traditional payments and on-chain value. It’s fully integrated into PayPal and Venmo, backed 1:1 by USD reserves and regulated by the New York State Department of Financial Services.

Unlike niche tokens, PYUSD is designed first for payments, not speculation, making it a core part of PayPal’s vision for digital commerce and cross-border value movement.

LAUNCH | PayPal Launches Dollar-Backed Stablecoin, PayPal USD (PYUSD), on the Ethereum Blockchain

2.) Doubling Down on Growth

Throughout 2025, PYUSD’s market cap surpassed $1 billion, doubling from earlier in the year, a milestone that reflects renewed usage and strategic integrations rather than purely incentive-driven demand.

PayPal has also expanded PYUSD’s reach, bringing it to multiple blockchains via cross-chain solutions and partnerships, a move that aims to reduce friction and cost in global settlements especially relevant for remittances and commerce in markets like Africa.

MILESTONE | PayPal’s PYUSD Stablecoin Surpasses $1 Billion Market Capitalization – Doubling Since Start of 2025

3.) Payments + Crypto, a Two-Track Approach

PayPal’s broader strategy is clear:

Payments at scale: Enable billions of users and millions of merchants to transact globally.

Crypto rails for liquidity: Use PYUSD and other token integrations to improve the speed and cost of value flows beyond legacy banking corridors.

This dual engine positions PayPal to compete not just with traditional remittance players, but with emerging blockchain-powered finance stacks in Africa where crypto, stablecoins, and fintech partnerships are already reshaping how people send, receive, and store value.

PayPal Pushes Crypto, Stablecoin Payments into the Mainstream, Cutting Costs and Expanding Global Commerce

For Nigeria, the implications are multi-layered:

Freelancers and SMEs now have a direct route to access global payers without complex workarounds.

Cross-border commerce becomes more frictionless, potentially boosting exports of digital services.

Stablecoin readiness: As digital assets like PYUSD mature, Nigerian users and platforms could leverage stablecoins for cheaper remittances, hedging currency risk, and programmable use cases in DeFi or payments.

Ecosystem signal: A major player like PayPal partnering with a local fintech underscores Africa’s rising financial sophistication and regulatory viability.

 

PayPal’s move into Nigeria via Paga is more than a payments relic returning home, it’s a statement of intent. It reveals how legacy platforms are blending traditional rails with crypto-native tools to remain relevant in markets where consumers and businesses increasingly expect fast, borderless, and digital money movement.

For Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, this moment is both validation and invitation: build, integrate, and innovate around payments, crypto, and the digital economy because the global players are coming with deeper stacks than ever before.

FINTECH AFRICA | Why Use PayPal in the Age of Crypto? Frustrated Users Propose African Alternatives

 

 

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Nigeria’s government has sharply increased revenue from digital payments, and regulators are now extending that tax regime to cryptocurrency withdrawals, a clear signal that Africa’s largest crypto market is firmly on the fiscal radar.

According to official data, collections from the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), a fee applied to qualifying digital transfers, rose to about $276 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up from roughly $133 million over the same period in 2024.

That represents more than a 100% year-on-year increase.

The levy, now reclassified as stamp duty under Nigeria’s 2025 Tax Act, has become a predictable revenue stream for the federal government, which projects annual collections could exceed $321 million from 2026 onward.

TAXATION | How Kenya Collects More Taxes than Nigeria

Expanding the Tax Net to Crypto

Previously limited to bank and fintech transactions, the stamp duty regime has now been extended to crypto-to-fiat withdrawals, effectively closing a gap that allowed digital asset activity to operate outside direct transaction-level taxation.

Several Nigerian crypto platforms, including Quidax, Palremit, and JuicyWay, have notified users that a $0.04 stamp duty will apply to eligible Naira withdrawals beginning in early 2026.

FUNDING | Nigerian Fintech, JuicyWay, Raises $3 Million to Provide FX Exchange Using Stablecoins

Some platforms are also bundling the levy with additional service charges and VAT, pushing total withdrawal costs slightly higher for users.

Quidax has emphasized that the stamp duty is a government-mandated tax, not a platform fee.

REGULATION | KuCoin to Charge 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) on Crypto Transactions in Nigeria Following ‘An Important Regulatory Update’

While a four-cent charge per withdrawal may appear insignificant, its implications are broader:

High-frequency traders and P2P merchants operating on thin margins may adjust their behavior or move off centralized platforms.

Long-term users view the fee as marginal compared to volatility or on-chain transaction costs.

A few platforms, such as Tirra (formerly Azawire), are temporarily absorbing the tax to remain competitive — a move that pressures already narrow margins.

 

Crypto is Now Fully Inside Nigeria’s Tax Framework

The withdrawal levy is part of a broader regulatory push. Under the 2025 Tax Act:

Crypto profits are subject to personal income tax

TAXATION | Crypto Profits Will Be Subject to Personal Income Tax, Reveals Chairman of Nigeria Tax Reforms Committee

Accounts may be linked to national identity and tax IDs

REGULATION | Nigeria Starts Implementing CARF Requirements by Tying Crypto Transactions to Tax and National IDs

Non-compliant service providers face enforcement penalties

REGULATION | SEC Nigeria Raises Minimum Capital Requirements, Sets Higher Bar for Crypto, Fintech, and Capital Market Operators

With Nigeria recording over $92 billion in crypto transaction volume between July 2024 and June 2025, authorities are increasingly treating digital assets as a mainstream revenue base, not a fringe activity.

Nigeria’s approach mirrors a wider African trend: as fintech and crypto mature, governments are moving to formalize, tax, and integrate digital finance into national revenue systems.

For crypto platforms and users, compliance strategy is quickly becoming as important as product or pricing.

REGULATION | Nigeria Starts Implementing CARF Requirements by Tying Crypto Transactions to Tax and National IDs

 

 

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The Capital Markets Authority of Kenya (CMA Kenya) is advancing plans to reduce risks tied to trading in virtual assets by creating a dedicated fund to compensate investors if a licensed virtual-asset dealer fails to fulfil its obligations, underscoring the Kenyan government’s efforts to build the country into a digital finance hub.

CMA Chief Executive Wycliffe Shamiah told The EastAfrican that talks are underway on a compensation mechanism for people who buy and sell virtual assets, separate from the current Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) used for equity investors.

 

Shamiah explained that the existing ICF covers investors when brokers or investment banks go under, but with the growing number of players acting like brokers, especially in the virtual-assets space, there is a need for broader protection.

“A number of discussions are ongoing,” he said, noting that support for virtual-asset companies in case of failure might need a different arrangement than the current ICF.

 

A virtual or digital asset refers to digitally stored content or resources that have value and can be owned, traded or managed, including cryptocurrencies and digital tokens secured on blockchain technology.

In 2025, President William Ruto signed the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Act 2025 into law establishing a legal framework for regulating cryptocurrencies.

EDITORIAL | Kenya Passes Landmark Crypto Law – Binance and Coinbase Expected to Lead Licensed Entrants

The CMA says compensation mechanisms for equity investors and virtual-asset investors will be separate, because the markets involve different players and products. Details on how the new compensation fund would work, including its funding sources, are still being discussed.

Shamiah noted that while both equity and virtual-asset markets fall under CMA regulation, the two are distinct, and mixing them under one fund may not be appropriate.

Currently, stock investors who lose money due to the failure of a licensed broker are compensated from the ICF, with a maximum payout of KES 200,000 (about $1,550) per investor.

The ICF is funded by interest earned on funds held between subscription closing dates and refunds, transaction levies on share and bond trading through the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), and penalties on operators who break CMA rules.

Shamiah said the compensation limit for equity investors was increased to KES 200,000 from KES 50,000, although there have not been significant market shocks recently. Discussions are also underway on widening the ICF’s coverage.

In November 2025, the CMA revealed it is in talks with major virtual-asset firms, including those dealing in Bitcoin, about listing shares on the NSE as part of efforts to deepen the market.

About four to five virtual-asset companies, mainly from the U.S and UK, have shown strong interest in selling shares to Kenyan investors through the bourse.

Such listings would allow investors to gain exposure to virtual-asset companies in a model similar to exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which let investors trade assets like gold indirectly by owning shares in gold-dealing firms.

‘We Have Received About 5 Virtual Asset Companies Largely from the US and UK Looking to List,’ Says Kenya Capital Markets Regulator

 

 

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