Samatar Abdi Osman : AfCFTA, a historic opportunity for African FinTech
FinTech is emerging as a driving force for Africa’s transformation, unlocking new possibilities through the synergy between technology and regional integration. By leveraging the opportunities provided by AfCFTA, particularly...
By Samatar Abdi Osman, Commissioner General of the Djibouti Fintech Forum and Director General of CTID
The digital revolution continues to reshape the global economic landscape, and Africa is no exception. Among the most promising sectors, financial technology, or FinTech, plays a central role. By offering innovative solutions to meet the needs of individuals and businesses, it has become an essential tool for overcoming challenges related to financial inclusion, capital mobility, and payment system efficiency.
In a continent where a significant portion of the population remains unbanked, FinTech envisions a future where everyone can access tailored, inclusive, and affordable financial services. Whether through mobile payments, microfinance platforms, or cross-border money transfer solutions, these innovations are redefining Africa’s economy, accelerating its modernization and diversification.
AfCFTA: A historic opportunity for African FinTech
The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) marks a decisive turning point for the continent’s economic integration. This ambitious initiative, designed to boost intra-African trade, aims to reduce trade barriers and streamline exchanges. In this pursuit of a single market, FinTech serves as a key enabler by providing concrete solutions to harmonize payment systems, reduce cross-border transaction costs, and accelerate capital flows.
Through interoperable technologies and innovative services, AfCFTA and FinTech form a strategic alliance. Together, they not only facilitate trade between countries but also offer unprecedented economic development opportunities for local businesses. African startups, in particular, can leverage this ecosystem to explore new markets and expand regional collaborations.
Djibouti: A rising technological and financial hub
In this rapidly evolving landscape, Djibouti stands out for its ambition and strategic geographic position. Located at the crossroads of major international trade routes, the country is establishing itself as a key platform for commerce and innovation in the Horn of Africa. By investing in digital infrastructure and creating a favorable environment for startups, Djibouti aims to become a major player in African FinTech.
Connectivity, a national priority, enables Djibouti to position itself as a regional technology hub. Initiatives promoting payment system interoperability and the integration of FinTech solutions into local financial systems reinforce this vision. Djibouti is not only modernizing its domestic market but also preparing to export its expertise and innovations to other regions of the continent, fully capitalizing on the opportunities presented by AfCFTA.
Djibouti FinTech Forum: A forward-thinking vision for financial nnovation
Among CTID’s flagship achievements is the Djibouti FinTech Forum, launched in 2020. In just two editions, this event has become the essential gathering for FinTech stakeholders in Djibouti and beyond, serving as a strategic platform to explore emerging sector trends, identify the challenges of financial innovation, create growth and collaboration opportunities, and structure the local and regional FinTech ecosystem.
For its third edition, the Djibouti FinTech Forum will highlight the impact of AfCFTA on the financial and technology sectors. The goal? To energize markets, facilitate cross-border payments, and create new opportunities for African entrepreneurs.
A program focused on key FinTech challenges in Africa
The upcoming edition will spotlight several strategic themes crucial for the future of Africa’s financial sector. Discussions will explore how digital solutions facilitate cross-border payments between African countries, emphasizing the importance of payment system interoperability for harmonization under AfCFTA. Special attention will also be given to innovations that support financial inclusion, particularly for unbanked populations and small businesses.
The event will showcase public-private partnerships, examining collaborations between governments, enterprises, and startups that play a crucial role in accelerating innovation in the sector. Lastly, this year’s edition will delve into the expansion of Djiboutian FinTech firms, addressing strategies to penetrate new African markets.
A dynamic and interactive forum
Over two days, the Djibouti FinTech Forum 2025 will offer a diverse program featuring conferences, panels, roundtables, practical workshops, and demonstrations of innovative solutions. It will serve as a unique platform for exchange between startups, public institutions, investors, and technology firms, contributing to the development of a robust FinTech ecosystem in Africa.
Through this event, Djibouti reaffirms its ambition to become a strategic hub for digital finance on the continent.
