Stablecoins Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa, Says Ex-UN Official

News Flash 2026-01-25 02:00

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Vera Songwe, former UN under-secretary-general, highlighted the growing role of stablecoins in Africa as a tool for financial inclusion. Songwe noted that stablecoins are increasingly used to reduce remittance costs and expedite settlements, offering a cheaper and faster alternative to traditional cross-border transfers, which can cost $6 per $100 sent. This shift is particularly significant in Africa, where 650 million people lack bank accounts but can access stablecoins via smartphones. Songwe emphasized that stablecoins not only facilitate payments but also serve as a hedge against local currency depreciation, especially as inflation has exceeded 20% in several African countries post-pandemic. Regions like Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and South Africa are seeing increased stablecoin adoption due to volatile inflation and policy constraints. The trend is supported by a Chainalysis report showing Sub-Saharan Africa as a fast-growing region for crypto adoption, with on-chain value exceeding $205 billion from July 2024 to June 2025. Regulatory developments are also shaping the landscape. Ghana has legalized cryptocurrency trading, Nigeria is integrating crypto into its tax system, and South Africa is assessing the financial stability risks posed by digital assets. These moves reflect a broader effort to balance innovation with risk management as stablecoins become integral to Africa's financial ecosystem.

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