Sello Lentsoane, NNA News | Accra, Ghana

As African economies continue to expand their digital infrastructure, leaders across the continent are increasingly calling for stronger regional integration to reduce dependence on external financial systems and strengthen economic sovereignty.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 3i Africa Summit in Accra, Ghanaian Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang said digital integration has become central to Africa’s economic future.

“Valued economic sovereignty now also depends on integration, particularly digital integration, because this is where value is created, exchanged, and controlled,” she said.

Her remarks come as African countries continue investing in mobile money systems, financial technology and digital identity platforms in an effort to improve trade and financial inclusion across borders.

According to Opoku-Agyemang, the continent has already shown its ability to adapt through innovation in financial technology.

“Mobile money, digital identity, and financial technology have showcased what is possible,” she said.

However, she noted that many African economies still operate through fragmented systems, with a large number of transactions routed through financial infrastructure outside the continent, increasing both costs and delays.

People visit an innovation exhibition center during the opening of the 2026 3i Africa Summit in Accra, Ghana, May 6, 2026. (Photo by Seth, NNA News) 

The vice president said the next phase of development will require stronger coordination in digital payments, infrastructure, regulation and identity systems to support regional trade and economic cooperation.

“This calls for investments in broadband cloud infrastructure,” she said. “Cloud infrastructure and digital systems must also come with regulatory and policy alignments.”

Across Africa, governments and businesses are increasingly looking at digital systems as tools for economic growth, trade facilitation and financial inclusion, particularly as the continent seeks to strengthen intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

At the summit, Opoku-Agyemang announced that Ghana will work with Zambia, Rwanda and other African countries to pilot a continental digital trade corridor focused on mobile money interoperability, mutual recognition of digital identity and electronic invoicing.

The initiative is expected to support cross-border trade while improving the efficiency of digital transactions between participating countries.

The summit brought together policymakers, financial institutions and technology stakeholders to discuss digital transformation and financial integration across the continent.