Digital PayExpo 2026 targets pan-African payment revolution in AI era

Africa’s growing ambition to build a seamless digital economy will take centre stage in Lagos next month as industry leaders, regulators, fintech operators, and global payment companies gather for Digital PayExpo 2026.

The conference, scheduled for June 17 and 18 in Lagos, is expected to spotlight how artificial intelligence and cross-border payment systems can accelerate Africa’s journey toward a unified digital market.

Organisers said the event, themed “Seamless Digital: Fostering Pan-African Market Expansion in the AI Era,” comes at a time when African countries are under pressure to modernise payment infrastructure, deepen financial inclusion, and remove barriers slowing regional trade and digital commerce.

More than 3,000 participants are expected at the conference, including senior banking executives, fintech founders, telecom operators, policymakers, payment infrastructure providers, and global technology companies.

Industry analysts say the summit reflects the increasing importance of digital payments to Africa’s economic future, especially as businesses and governments seek faster, safer, and more interoperable systems that can support cross-border transactions under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The conference will feature some of the continent’s leading voices in payment regulation, financial technology, and digital infrastructure.

Among the headline speakers is Rakiya Yusuf, director of payment systems supervision at the Central Bank of Nigeria, who has played a major role in Nigeria’s payment system reforms and regulatory modernization.

Also expected is Folasade Femi-Lawal, country manager and area business head for West Africa at Mastercard, who is expected to speak on digital payment expansion and Africa’s evolving financial ecosystem.

Other speakers include Clara B. Arthur, managing director of GhIPSS, whose organisation has helped strengthen Ghana’s interoperable payment framework.

Wacera Maina, chief operations officer at Kenwitch, will also share insights into East Africa’s payment infrastructure transformation and regional payment integration efforts.

The event will further feature Akeem Lawal, chief executive officer of Interswitch Group, one of Africa’s leading fintech firms, alongside Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, executive director at Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, commonly known as NIBSS.

Discussions at the conference are expected to focus on AI-powered financial services, digital identity systems, cybersecurity, trust frameworks, SME financing, and infrastructure required to support seamless payment systems across Africa.

Stakeholders are also expected to examine how artificial intelligence can improve fraud detection, customer experience, financial access, and transaction efficiency within the continent’s rapidly growing digital economy.

Experts believe one of the major issues likely to dominate discussions will be the challenge of interoperability between African payment systems, which remains a key obstacle to smooth regional trade and financial integration.

Despite rapid fintech growth across the continent, many African businesses still face high transaction costs, settlement delays, fragmented regulations, and infrastructure gaps when conducting cross-border payments.

Digital PayExpo 2026 is therefore being positioned not just as a conference, but as a strategic platform for partnerships, investment opportunities, and policy conversations aimed at building a more connected African digital economy.

With participation expected from banks, fintech companies, telcos, regulators, and international payment networks, the event is expected to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders working to shape the future of Africa’s digital finance ecosystem.