Rwanda’s Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva has called on African countries to take control of the financial infrastructure powering the continent’s digital economy, warning that Africa cannot build strong systems on platforms it does not control.
He made the remarks on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, during the Inclusive FinTech Forum 2026 (#IFF2026) taking place in Kigali, from March 10 to March 12, 2026, bringing together global investors, policymakers, fintech innovators and regulators to discuss the future of financial inclusion and digital finance.
Addressing the forum, Nsengiyumva warned that Africa must build its own financial infrastructure if it wants genuine economic independence in the digital era.
“Africa cannot and should not attempt to build financial sovereignty on rails it does not control,” the Prime Minister said, stressing that control over digital infrastructure and financial data is now a strategic priority for the continent.
“The opportunity for Africa to become a cradle of global business and innovation is real. The foundation of this transformation will be robust and inclusive financial systems capable of mobilising capital towards the continent’s most pressing priorities,” Nsengiyumva said during the opening ceremony of the forum.
He pointed to several continental initiatives that should form the backbone of Africa’s financial ecosystem, including the African Continental Free Trade Area digital trade framework and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which enables African countries to settle cross-border payments directly in local currencies rather than relying on foreign clearing systems.
According to the Prime Minister, implementing these frameworks will help reduce the cost of cross-border trade, improve financial inclusion and strengthen Africa’s digital sovereignty as fintech continues to grow across the continent.
His message also reflects a broader policy line Rwanda has promoted for years under Paul Kagame who has repeatedly argued that Africa must control its digital infrastructure and data if it wants to benefit fully from technological change.
Speaking at a continental digital identity meeting in 2018, Kagame emphasized that Africa’s digital systems must be owned and governed by Africans, stressing that data should be stored in secure systems that the continent controls to protect citizens and strengthen trust in digital transactions.
More recently, during the Global AI Summit on Africa in Kigali in April 2025, Kagame again highlighted the need for Africa to build strong digital infrastructure and invest in its own technological capacity, warning that the continent cannot afford to remain dependent on external technology systems while the global digital economy rapidly evolves.
Rwanda has positioned itself as one of the leading advocates for digital transformation and financial innovation on the continent, hosting global forums and promoting initiatives aimed at strengthening Africa’s fintech ecosystem.
By hosting the Inclusive FinTech Forum, Kigali continues to position itself as a hub for financial technology dialogue and investment, while advancing the broader goal of building African-owned financial systems capable of supporting the continent’s economic growth.
About the Author
