Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Executive Chairman and Founder of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), delivered a compelling call for political commitment among African leaders to achieve financial interoperability across the continent during his keynote address at the Continental Mobile Interoperability Symposium in Accra.
Otchere-Darko emphasized that while technological capabilities exist for seamless cross-border transactions, the key challenge is overcoming regulatory disparities and fostering collaborative efforts among stakeholders.
“Imagine the economic impact of a Ghanaian tailor selling clothes via Instagram to consumers in Zimbabwe, with payments made in local currencies directly to a Ghanaian e-wallet,” Otchere-Darko illustrated, underscoring the potential economic benefits of enhanced interoperability.
He stressed the necessity for unified policies and coordinated efforts among governments, financial institutions, telecommunications operators, and technology companies to dismantle existing silos and unlock Africa’s economic potential.
“The Symposium aims to expedite the realization of cross-border payment interoperability, aligning with broader initiatives for financial digitization and inclusion,” remarked Otchere-Darko, acknowledging the pivotal role of stakeholders in driving this agenda forward.
The event, themed “Scaling up interoperability, Using Mobile Money to Buy and Sell,” drew participation from key figures, including Dr Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG); Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communication and Digitalisation; and other industry leaders committed to advancing financial integration across Africa.