Africa Fintech Network (AFN)

Introduction

Africa Fintech Network (AFN) is a pan-African fintech network that connects national fintech associations, digital finance leaders and ecosystem stakeholders across the continent. It supports collaboration, knowledge exchange, policy dialogue and ecosystem development across African fintech markets. AFN is relevant to PSPs, mobile money providers, remittance companies, payment processors and fintech infrastructure firms that need regional visibility across Africa’s digital finance ecosystem.

What is Africa Fintech Network and who does it represent

Africa Fintech Network is a regional fintech network built around Africa’s national fintech associations and digital finance ecosystem stakeholders. It connects fintech associations, fintech leaders, industry organisations, strategic partners, policymakers and other participants involved in the development of financial technology across Africa.

AFN is not a single-country trade association and should not be understood as a normal company-membership body. Its core role is to coordinate fintech activity through national fintech associations, hubs, partnerships and ecosystem collaboration across African markets.

For payment operators, AFN is most relevant as a regional visibility and coordination platform. It can help PSPs, mobile money providers, remittance firms, processors, gateways and payment infrastructure companies understand pan-African fintech themes, identify active national associations and follow ecosystem conversations around digital payments, financial inclusion, mobile finance and cross-border collaboration.

Mission and advocacy focus

AFN’s mission is to bring Africa’s fintech and digital finance leaders, organisations and stakeholders together. Its work focuses on exchanging information, supporting collaboration, promoting innovation and strengthening Africa’s fintech ecosystem through national associations and regional partnerships.

The network’s objectives include supporting cross-border fintech policy discussion, encouraging African fintech solutions, promoting collaboration with global fintech communities and helping fintech initiatives across the continent become more coordinated. AFN’s public materials describe its role as enabling best practice across Africa and connecting the continent’s fintech stakeholders.

AFN’s value is strongest where fintech development depends on regional coordination rather than one-country activity. This includes financial inclusion, mobile money, cross-border payments, digital identity, open finance, regulatory dialogue, capital access and ecosystem capacity-building.

Policy domains

• Digital payments and mobile money — Relevance for PSPs, mobile money operators, wallets, payment processors, gateways and merchant payment platforms.
• Cross-border payments and remittances — Ecosystem relevance for companies tracking regional money movement, diaspora flows, settlement challenges and pan-African payment use cases.
• Financial inclusion and digital access — Support for fintech models that expand access to financial services for consumers, SMEs and underserved communities.
• National fintech association coordination — Collaboration between country-level fintech associations, hubs and ecosystem bodies across African markets.
• Regulatory dialogue and fintech policy — Cross-market discussion around fintech regulation, innovation frameworks, sandboxes, licensing approaches and public-private engagement.
• Capacity-building and knowledge exchange — Events, festivals, partnerships and resources that help fintech ecosystems share experience and improve capability.
• Technology transfer and African fintech innovation — Promotion of African-built fintech solutions and collaboration with global fintech communities.

Geographic scope and cross-border reach

AFN covers the African continent through a network model built around national fintech associations and ecosystem partners. Its public materials refer to more than 40 member countries, making it a continent-level network rather than a single-market association.

For payment operators, AFN’s regional scope is useful because many African payment opportunities are inherently cross-border or multi-market. These include mobile money interoperability, remittances, merchant digitisation, cross-border commerce, digital wallets, instant payments, open finance, agency networks and financial inclusion.

AFN can support regional understanding and ecosystem relationships, but country-specific licensing, bank sponsorship, payment infrastructure access, compliance and market entry must still be handled through the relevant national regulators, payment systems, banks, schemes and local advisers.

Why Africa Fintech Network matters for payments operators

Africa Fintech Network matters for PSPs, mobile money providers, remittance companies, payment processors, gateways, wallets, acquiring platforms, open finance providers and fintech infrastructure firms with exposure to African markets.

The network is useful because payments are central to Africa’s fintech development. Mobile money, wallet adoption, remittances, agency banking, merchant digitisation, cross-border payments, financial inclusion, digital identity and small-business finance are common themes across many African fintech ecosystems.

For PSPs, AFN can provide regional context, national association visibility, partner discovery and access to pan-African fintech conversations. It is especially relevant for teams working in strategy, partnerships, market expansion, policy, regulatory affairs, product, risk, compliance and executive leadership.

AFN is less directly relevant for technical payment system rules or licensing. Payment operators still need to work with local regulators, banks, payment systems, schemes, acquirers and legal advisers in each country where they operate.

Who runs Africa Fintech Network and who are the members

AFN operates as a pan-African fintech network with national fintech associations at the centre of its membership model. Its membership page states that the network is made up of self-regulating national fintech associations in each African country and that national associations constitute the core membership, with strategic partners also enlisted for participation.

This structure means AFN’s main member fit is not individual PSPs or fintech firms in the same way as a national trade association. Individual companies may benefit indirectly through their country’s fintech association, event participation, strategic partnerships or public ecosystem activity.

Members and participant categories

Member activity

AFN activity may include association coordination, regional partnerships, ecosystem projects, policy dialogue, knowledge-sharing, events and Africa Fintech Festival participation. National fintech associations can use the network to connect with peers across the continent and share country-level experience.

For payment companies, the practical route is often indirect: follow AFN’s public activity, attend Africa Fintech Festival, engage through a national fintech association or participate through ecosystem partnerships where relevant.

What does Africa Fintech Network publish and who does it influence

Policy and ecosystem engagement

AFN engages Africa’s fintech ecosystem through national association coordination, public communication, strategic partnerships, events and policy-oriented dialogue. Its influence is strongest as a continent-level convener rather than as a direct regulator-facing body in every African country.

The network can help surface shared fintech priorities across markets, including financial inclusion, digital payments, cross-border payments, mobile money, regulatory cooperation, fintech capacity-building and technology adoption.

For payment operators, this engagement is useful where multi-market strategy depends on understanding which national fintech associations are active, which policy themes are recurring, and where regional collaboration is forming.

Events and Africa Fintech Festival

Africa Fintech Festival is AFN’s flagship event and serves as a convergence point for fintech leaders, innovators, policymakers and ecosystem stakeholders. AFN’s website describes the festival as a platform for dialogue, collaboration and knowledge exchange.

For PSPs and payment companies, the festival is useful for regional visibility, partnership discovery, market intelligence and understanding how African fintech communities are discussing payments, mobile money, remittances, inclusion, investment and regulation.

Research, news and public resources

AFN publishes public information on its objectives, partners, events, member countries and ecosystem activity. Its materials are useful for understanding pan-African fintech themes and identifying regional fintech initiatives.

For payment operators, the most relevant resources are those connected to digital payments, mobile money, remittances, financial inclusion, cross-border fintech cooperation, policy dialogue and Africa Fintech Festival activity.

How to join Africa Fintech Network

AFN’s membership model is centred on national fintech associations. National fintech associations form the core membership of the network, while strategic partners may also participate in AFN activities.

Companies interested in AFN should first identify whether their country has a national fintech association connected to the network. Individual fintech companies, PSPs or banks may also engage through events, partnerships, public programmes or the relevant national association.

Who can join

The clearest membership fit is for national fintech associations and fintech ecosystem organisations across African countries. Strategic partners may also participate where their work supports AFN’s objectives and regional fintech development.

For PSPs and payment companies, the strongest practical route is usually through a national fintech association, Africa Fintech Festival participation, sponsorship, partnership or public ecosystem activity rather than direct association membership.

Membership tiers and fees

AFN’s public membership information focuses on national fintech associations and strategic partners rather than a simple public fee table for all companies. Organisations interested in participation can use AFN’s membership or contact channels to understand current routes, eligibility, benefits and pricing.

What members commit to

Members and partners participate in regional coordination, knowledge-sharing, ecosystem development, events, policy dialogue and collaboration across African fintech markets. The practical value is regional visibility and association-level coordination rather than direct access to payment rails, licences or regulatory approvals.

FAQ

Is Africa Fintech Network a regulator?

No. Africa Fintech Network is not a regulator, licensing authority or financial supervisor. It is a pan-African fintech network that connects national fintech associations and ecosystem stakeholders. Payment firms still need to work with the relevant regulators, banks, schemes and payment systems in each African market.

Is AFN only for national fintech associations?

National fintech associations are the core membership of AFN, but the network also works with strategic partners and broader ecosystem stakeholders. Individual payment companies may benefit through their national association, Africa Fintech Festival, sponsorship, partnerships or public ecosystem activity rather than direct company membership.

Why does AFN matter for PSPs?

AFN matters for PSPs because African fintech development is closely tied to mobile money, remittances, merchant digitisation, wallets, financial inclusion and cross-border payments. The network helps PSPs understand regional fintech themes, identify national association networks and follow ecosystem conversations across multiple African markets.

Does AFN help with market entry in Africa?

AFN can help companies understand regional fintech ecosystems and identify relevant national associations or events. It does not provide licensing, local legal advice, bank sponsorship, acquiring access or regulatory approval. PSPs entering a specific African country still need market-specific compliance, banking and operational support.

What is Africa Fintech Festival?

Africa Fintech Festival is AFN’s flagship ecosystem event. It brings together fintech leaders, innovators, policymakers, investors and digital finance stakeholders for dialogue, collaboration and knowledge exchange. For payment operators, it is useful for regional visibility, partner discovery and understanding African fintech priorities.

How is AFN different from a national fintech association?

A national fintech association usually represents fintech companies in one country. AFN connects fintech associations and stakeholders across the continent. This makes it more useful for pan-African visibility, cross-market themes and regional collaboration, while national associations remain more relevant for local regulation and market access.

What payment topics are most relevant to AFN?

The most relevant payment topics are mobile money, remittances, digital wallets, merchant digitisation, cross-border payments, financial inclusion, account-to-account payments, agency networks and fintech infrastructure. These topics sit within AFN’s broader fintech ecosystem and association-coordination role.