ABUJA, Nigeria — PalmPay, a multinational fintech company, has highlighted the critical need for enhanced investment in interoperable payment infrastructure to drive Africa's economic progress. The company's Managing Director for Nigeria, Chika Nwosu, shared this perspective at the Central Bank of Nigeria’s 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum (AEMF 2026), held in Abuja from July 29-30, 2026.

The forum convened policymakers, regulators, development institutions, and private sector leaders to discuss deepening economic integration across the continent through regional collaboration, digital innovation, and coordinated financial systems.

Nwosu presented findings from a research paper titled “Deepening Regional Economic Integration Through Cross-Border Payments, Fintech, Infrastructure, and Policy Coordination.” He argued that Africa's focus should shift from merely achieving financial inclusion to enabling financial integration.

“The opportunity is no longer just connecting more people to financial services. It is connecting African markets through financial services,” Nwosu stated. He elaborated that true regional integration involves simplifying cross-border transactions for businesses, enabling them to pay suppliers and receive payments with greater confidence.

PalmPay also stressed the importance of reliability in Africa's digital transformation journey. As payment ecosystems become more interconnected, strengthening cybersecurity is essential for sustained growth and building trust in digital finance. The company committed to enhancing a secure digital financial ecosystem through ongoing investment in consumer education, industry partnerships, and its security infrastructure.

These discussions resonated with broader themes at the forum. Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Olayemi Cardoso urged African nations to transition from being technology consumers to creators of continent-specific solutions. In a LinkedIn post, Cardoso also underscored the importance of unlocking women's full economic potential, stating, “Africa cannot fly with one wing.”

PalmPay's efforts align with this inclusive finance objective. In 2025, the company provided digital banking tools and capacity-building support to over 3,000 women entrepreneurs in Kano and Kaduna. It continues to broaden access to digital financial services for SMEs and other underserved populations, which remains a core priority.

During a fireside chat, WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala advised African leaders to prioritize implementation, bolster regional integration, and cultivate an environment conducive to domestic investment, noting that sustainable development hinges on local investor confidence.

PalmPay views this as a reflection of its belief that Africa's future economic transformation will be shaped by the systems it builds, not just the agreements it signs. The company intends to continue strengthening Nigeria’s payment infrastructure and collaborating with regulators, financial institutions, and ecosystem partners to foster a more connected, secure, and inclusive digital economy.

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Hong Kong, PalmPay Group offers digital financial services, including payments, savings, insurance, credit, and payment acceptance tools, to emerging markets in Africa and Asia. The company also facilitates device financing to overcome smartphone ownership barriers, often providing individuals with their first phone and financial account simultaneously.