Middle East & Africa

The Middle East and Africa are mutually reinforcing markets, different in scale and structure yet closely connected. The Middle East is accelerating the adoption of digital payment systems, open finance frameworks, and regulatory infrastructure. Africa's financial ecosystem is evolving rapidly, with mobile money platforms expanding access and enabling millions to participate in the formal economy for the first time.

At GFTN, we build financial corridors and pathways where ideas, capital, and technology flow between ecosystems. GFTN Middle East & Africa connects financial centres in the Gulf with innovation networks across Africa, creating practical routes for investment, policy frameworks, and infrastructure development to thrive together.

Middle East

Financial centres in the Gulf are developing digital payment infrastructure and establishing regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies. GFTN works with governments and institutions to support open finance implementation with reference models and real economy use cases for digital assets within clear regulatory guardrails. We facilitate employer-aligned talent development in data, compliance, and AI capabilities, and connect regional investors with scalable opportunities across the MEA corridor.

Africa

Africa's financial landscape is expanding through mobile-first services, a young and connected workforce, and growing investment appetite. GFTN supports central banks and governments on interoperable payment frameworks with proportionate consumer safeguards. We work with institutions on SME finance infrastructure built on shared data standards, human capital development programmes linked to national and employer priorities, and sustainability reporting approaches that fit African supply chains.

Working with GFTN Middle East & Africa

GFTN acts as a corridor linking markets, institutions, and capabilities across both regions. Through regional forums, ecosystem partnerships, and capacity-building programmes, we bring together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and innovators to collaborate on the systems and skills that will shape the region’s next decade of growth.

Our work combines insight with execution - delivering market analysis, policy guidance, and implementation support that help governments develop ecosystems and enable businesses to expand confidently. We also strengthen workforce capability through training and upskilling initiatives that build job-ready talent across finance and technology sectors.

From strengthening open finance in the Middle East to deepening digital inclusion in Africa, we support partnerships that advance resilient and inclusive financial systems across both regions.

What to Expect

Working with GFTN Middle East & Africa provides access to practical pathways that connect policy intent to market execution. We provide regional leverage that fits local context and plugs into global practice. Progress is measured through capacity building, infrastructure development, and market adoption, ensuring every partnership translates into measurable, lasting change.

Overview

Africa’s Next-Generation DPI for Payments

A standards-led initiative to design and implement Africa’s next-generation digital public infrastructure for payments. Led by the National Bank of Rwanda and the Bank of Ghana, it strengthens existing cross-border systems through shared standards, governance frameworks, and technical design.

Focus Areas

Building Trust, Interoperability, and Inclusion

Centred on three pillars: trusted digital identity, interoperable payments, and verified data exchange, the programme enhances current systems to make cross-border payments faster, lower-cost, and more reliable for people and businesses across Africa.

Impact

Driving Scalable Impact Across the Continent

Launched in February 2025 at the Inclusive FinTech Forum, the programme formalised an MoU between the National Bank of Rwanda, Bank of Ghana, PAPSS, and GFTN. It demonstrates how alignment among central banks, regional infrastructure, and global networks can deliver tangible progress in Africa’s payment landscape.

FORUM

Inclusive FinTech Forum

Date: 10-12 March 2026

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

The Inclusive FinTech Forum fosters strategies for inclusive and sustainable fintech development. Policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, and foundations convene to align on implementation, policies, and partnerships that harness technology to accelerate greater financial inclusion across Africa.

Learn more