By James Booth, Head of Revenue at Verto
Africa’s fintech revolution has moved from promise to performance. Over the past decade, the continent has evolved from a mobile money pioneer to a global laboratory for financial innovation. Kenya’s mobile money services showed that technology could drive inclusion. Now, the entire continent is building on that foundation.
As we look toward 2026, the question is no longer whether fintech will thrive in Africa, but how it will evolve. Three trends will redefine the ecosystem: embedded finance, cross-border payments, and smarter, risk-aware growth.
Financial services will be seamlessly woven into non-financial platforms. Everyday apps, such as ride-hailing, e-commerce, agriculture, logistics, and utilities, will increasingly offer payments, credit, and insurance within their ecosystems.
The days when users needed separate apps or bank accounts to access financial tools are fading. For instance, a farmer buying seeds online could access microcredit at checkout, while a logistics driver might receive instant payouts and insurance, all within one platform.
This shift from standalone fintech apps to embedded functionality is already underway, driven by Africa’s mobile-first population and the demand for convenience. For fintechs, success will come from building the infrastructure that powers others – APIs, SDKs, and white-label tools that allow any platform to integrate finance. The winners will be those who become the “rails” behind Africa’s digital economy rather than just another consumer-facing app.
Regulators and banks must adapt. Finance will increasingly exist outside traditional institutions, raising new questions about oversight and consumer protection. For users, embedded finance promises easier access, fewer barriers, and a more connected experience.
Africa’s trade story is deeply tied to its payments story. Intra-African commerce has long been constrained by fragmented systems, high fees, and dependence on the US dollar for settlement. That is changing fast.
Digital platforms, regional integration, and supportive policies will also make cross-border transactions simpler and cheaper. Initiatives like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and frameworks under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are laying the groundwork for faster, frictionless trade.
Fintechs specialising in “Africa-to-Africa” flows are emerging to meet this opportunity. In East Africa, for example, a Kenyan marketplace is be able to collect payments in Ugandan shillings from a customer in Kampala or Tanzanian shillings from a buyer in Dar es Salaam, and instantly convert them to Kenyan shillings. That flexibility removes one of the biggest barriers to regional commerce: currency friction.
Solutions like Verto’s Atlas enable this kind of cross-border experience, allowing businesses to collect, hold, and convert multiple African currencies efficiently. By simplifying settlements, these innovations help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand beyond their home markets and trade across borders with confidence.
In 2026, we shall likely see regional consolidation, with a few dominant payment rails connecting multiple countries and offering interoperability. For fintechs, this presents a chance to power a new era of digital trade. For regulators, the challenge will be harmonising standards, particularly in Know Your Customer (KYC), anti-money laundering (AML), and data protection.
The early years of fintech in Africa were defined by explosive growth; more users, more transactions, more apps. The next phase will be about depth, not just scale. Fintechs will evolve into full-service ecosystems offering credit, savings, insurance, and investment tools, with a sharper focus on sustainability and profitability.
Data and artificial intelligence will play a central role. With limited traditional credit histories, fintechs are turning to alternative data, such as phone usage, and utility payments, to assess risk. As AI becomes more accessible, expect smarter, more inclusive credit models that expand access while managing risk responsibly.
This evolution will also bring stronger regulation. More African countries are introducing licensing frameworks, enhancing data protection laws, and clarifying the rules around digital assets. These efforts will build trust and ensure long-term stability.
Africa’s fintech story is entering a new chapter, one defined by embedded access, regional connectivity, and sustainable growth. 2026 will test which business models endure, which partnerships scale, and which technologies truly serve Africa’s diverse markets.
For fintech leaders, there is need to build for collaboration, design for inclusion, and operate with resilience. For regulators, it is time to harmonise frameworks that allow innovation to thrive responsibly.
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Also Read: Verto Opens Nairobi Hub to Strengthen Cross-Border Payments in East Africa