Recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, this episode features Jamie Steell, Chief Operating Officer at pawaPay.

pawaPay is a key player in Africa’s payments ecosystem, building infrastructure designed to handle the complexity and fragmentation of payment systems across the continent.

In this conversation, Jamie breaks down what it really takes to scale payments in Africa -from navigating fragmented mobile money networks to building automated systems that can handle failures in real time.

The discussion also explores trust in payment systems, the role of mobile money as Africa’s financial backbone, and why consolidation across providers is likely the next phase of growth.

Hosted by Nixon Kanali, Founder & Tech Editor at TechTrends Media.

For more insights and upcoming events, visit africatechsummit.com.

Recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, this episode features Wale Afolabi, Co-Founder and CTO of PESA.

PESA is building infrastructure to simplify cross-border payments—helping individuals and businesses move money instantly across markets including the UK, EU, US, UAE, and Nigeria, with expansion across Africa underway.

In this conversation, Wale breaks down the realities behind cross-border payments—from fragmented regulations and liquidity challenges to the importance of local partnerships and reliable payment rails.

The discussion also explores how digital payments are enabling African SMEs to trade globally, and what’s coming next, including the rise of stablecoins and instant payments across the continent.

Hosted by Nixon Kanali, Founder & Tech Editor at TechTrends Media

For more insights and upcoming events, visit africatechsummit.com.

The Digital Revolution: Enhancing Cross-Border Payments in Africa – Panel at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi 2025 featuring insights and views from Eric Wainaina – General Manager, Africa at Conduit, Yemi Lawani – Director of Business Development at Circle Iheakachi Nwabueze – Head of Global Marketing and Growth at Grey Dr. Collins Igwe – CFO at Budpay and moderated by Paschal Okeke – Head of Operations & Expansion at CrissCross.

Panelists discuss the current state of cross-border payments on the continent, the technological advancements in financial services powered by blockchain and digital currencies and highlight the anticipated growth of the African payment market, projected to reach $40 billion with 70% being digital.

The session touches on key challenges in the industry, including high transaction costs, regulatory fragmentation, compliance complexities, inefficient banking infrastructures and differing regulatory frameworks across countries present additional hurdles for cross-border transactions.

Listen to a live panel on "The Truth About Venture Capital; Unveiling Today’s Trend & Reality" recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi. Visit our website for more details and future events: www.africatechsummit.com.

With

Jason Njoku – Founder at NjokuZilla

Andreata Muforo – Partner at TLcom Capital

Selma Farouk – Investment Analyst at DPI VC

Maxime Bayen – Operating Partner at Catalyst Fund

Eric Osiakwan – Founder and Managing Partner at Chanzo Capital

Highlights include

🌍 Diverse Ecosystem: African investment opportunities span various sectors, with fintech and climate technology being front-runners.

📉 Current Trends: A noticeable decline in startup funding was observed, yet there’s optimism about recovery as macroeconomic conditions stabilize.

💰 Local Knowledge: The significance of local investors was emphasized for navigating Africa’s unique market complexities.

🚀 Growth Challenges: Founders need to adopt capital efficiency strategies and focus on sustainable growth amidst economic volatility.

Listen to a live panel on "Africa's FinTech Frontier: Payments & Growth Opportunities" recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi. Visit our website for more details and future events: www.africatechsummit.com.

Featuring

Didi Uwemakpan - VP at Moniepoint

Adesoji Solanke - Head of FinTech & Banks, Investment Banking Origination at Absa

Shay Hamilton - CEO at Tola

Saruni Maina - Associate VP at Flutterwave

and moderated by Nkiru Uwaje - COO at Mansa Finance

Highlights from the session include:

🌍 Growth of Fintech: The African fintech industry is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increased mobile penetration and digital payment adoption.

💳 Mobile Money Integration: The rise of mobile money services is transforming payment systems, facilitating real-time transactions and increasing financial inclusion.

🔒 Challenges in Security: The advancement of technology also brings challenges, particularly in fraud protection and identity management for fintech companies.

Listen to a live panel on "Building Web3 Across The Continent " recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi. Visit our website for more details and future events: www.africatechsummit.com.

Featuring

Chris Duffus - CEO at Fonbnk

Stephen Browne - Co-Founder at Sorted Wallet

Mouloukou Sanoh - Co-Founder & CEO at Mansa Finance

and moderated by Jessica Hope - CEO at Wimbart

Highlights from the session include:

🌍 Web3 as a Catalyst for Change: The panel emphasized that Web3 technologies could significantly reshape financial infrastructure in Africa, offering new methods for transactions and financial services.

📉 Financial Inclusion Challenges: A staggering 75% of adults in Southern Africa lack access to formal financial services, highlighting the pressing need for innovative solutions.

💰 Stablecoins’ Role: Stablecoins are viewed as a potential game-changer for financial transactions, providing stability and ease of use in volatile economies.

Listen to a live panel on "Stablecoins in Africa: Stability & Innovation Powering Digital Payments" recorded live at Africa Tech Summit Nairobi. Visit our website for more details and future events: www.africatechsummit.com.

Victoria Calmon - Head of Marketing and Communications at Mento Labs

Daniel Kimotho - Ecosystem and Strategic Partnerships at Celo Foundation

Sebastien Piolat - Business Development Director for Web3 at Opera

and moderated by Duncan Muchangi - Head of Business Development at Fonbnk.

The panelists explore challenges and opportunities in the adoption of stablecoins across the continent, financial literacy, accessibility, and the current reliance on mobile money systems. Sharing insights into prevalent use cases for stablecoins — like savings, payments, and remittances— and highlight the role of emerging technologies in bridging gaps within traditional financial systems. The discussion covers the importance of partnerships and the ecosystem required for stablecoin growth, as well as exciting projections for the future where traditional banking systems may evolve into a more decentralized financial landscape.

Listen to a live panel on "Insights From The Frontline" recorded live at Africa Tech Summit London. Visit our website for more details and future events: www.africatechsummit.com.

Featuring:

Chika Nwobi – Founder & CEO at Decagon

Mike Quinn – Co-Founder & CEO at Boost

Uzoma Dozie – Chief Sparkler at Sparkle

Moderated by Jessica Hope – Founder & CEO at Wimbart

The session digs in to the founders stories, sharing their challenges and strategies for startups in the African tech ecosystem amidst macroeconomic difficulties. Panelists discussed the importance of building businesses with solid fundamentals, focusing on profitability, and managing risks such as currency devaluation and inflation. They also emphasized the need for startups to stay lean, adapt quickly, and maintain strong relationships with investors to secure funding during tough economic times.