In a keynote address at the 3i Africa Summit 2026, Bank of Ghana First Deputy Governor Dr Zakari Mumuni positioned inclusive instant payment systems as essential economic infrastructure for Africa rather than an optional add-on to financial inclusion. He argued that real-time, low-cost, interoperable payment networks are needed to turn expanded access through mobile money, agency banking, fintech and digital wallets into seamless day-to-day usability across platforms, sectors and borders. The speech said fragmented, costly and insufficiently interconnected payment systems continue to limit the efficient flow of value, despite progress in digital finance. It set out a reform agenda centred on coordinated execution by regulators, payment system operators, financial institutions and fintechs, alongside streamlined and harmonised electronic know your customer frameworks, aligned licensing regimes and deeper cross-border cooperation. Dr Mumuni also noted that Ghana has deployed multiple instant payment platforms and is working to strengthen inter-scheme interoperability, with the goal of making payment systems accessible, affordable and trusted across all user groups.
Bank of Ghana 2026-05-06
Bank of Ghana deputy governor calls for harmonised eKYC and cross border interoperability to make instant payments inclusive
The Bank of Ghana First Deputy Governor used a keynote at the 3i Africa Summit 2026 to argue that inclusive instant payment systems are core economic infrastructure for Africa, requiring real-time, low-cost, interoperable networks to translate digital access into everyday use. He highlighted persistent fragmentation and high costs and outlined a reform agenda focused on coordinated execution among regulators and industry, streamlined and harmonised electronic know your customer frameworks, aligned licensing regimes and stronger cross-border cooperation, noting Ghana’s efforts to enhance instant payment platforms and inter-scheme interoperability.