Stablecoins: Powering the Next Generation of Finance for Africa

Synopsis: 

Small and medium enterprises across Africa face critical financial infrastructure challenges that limit their growth potential. Cross-border transactions are expensive and slow, often taking days to settle while incurring huge fees. Local currency volatility erodes business capital and makes international trade planning nearly impossible. Traditional banking systems exclude many SMEs from accessing global markets and capital, creating barriers to expansion and competitiveness in the digital economy.

The session charted a bold vision for the future of SME finance, showcasing how stablecoins could become the cornerstone of financial innovation and inclusion across Africa. It explored forward-looking use cases - from seamless cross-border payments and real-time settlements to access to global capital and protection against local currency volatility—that positioned stablecoins as essential tools for SME growth and competitiveness in an increasingly connected marketplace.

Speakers:
Ashley Scott, Senior Director, Global Policy and Government Affairs, Circle
Lyle Horsley, Head of Fintech, South African Reserve Bank
Rob Downes, Head of Digital Assets, CIB Africa, Absa Group
Shelley Anderson, Program Director, Alliance for Innovative Regulation

Moderator:
Yaliwe Mlambo, President, Stellar Southern Africa