Accra, May 14, GNA – Ms Adeline Aryee, Director, Financial Institutions Group, Fidelity Bank, has urged stronger efforts at building African-owned digital infrastructure and payment systems.
Speaking at the 3i Africa Summit 2026, she explained that digital public infrastructure had become a national asset that should be intentionally developed to support economic sovereignty and value retention within Africa.
“Back in the days, when you talked about infrastructure, it was about roads and bridges. Today, it is about digital public infrastructure,” she noted.
Ms Aryee highlighted Ghana’s progress in financial inclusion and digital payments, describing it as a model that could be replicated across the continent.
She questioned the reliance on external payment platforms despite the availability of domestic infrastructure, warning that excessive dependence on foreign systems placed unnecessary pressure on African currencies and economies.
“Global tech is good, and we appreciate what global giants have done, but Africa needs to wake up. It is time to create our own rails and retain value on the continent,” she stated.
The discussions focused on fintech growth, innovation ecosystems, and digital market expansion.
Dr Prince Osei Hyeaman-Addai, Head of Mobile Financial Services, emphasised the importance of building digital solutions around real market needs rather than assumptions.
Drawing from Fidelity Bank’s experience in digital financial services and mobile money partnerships, he noted that successful innovation required deep understanding of customer behaviour, trust, and local realities.
Mr Hyeaman-Addai highlighted the importance of trust, structure, and credibility in attracting investment into African fintech ecosystems.
He reaffirmed Fidelity Bank’s collaboration with fintech players such as IT Consortium and others institutions enabled wallet-to-bank integrations and digital financial solutions in Ghana.
The summit, which brought together policymakers, financial institutions, fintech leaders, regulators, and ecosystem players focused on accelerating innovation and inclusive growth across the continent.
GNA
Edited by Beatrice Asamani Savage