Author: Maame Owusuaa Oppong
In a groundbreaking effort to enhance economic integration across the African continent, the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) has partnered with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to host an international symposium on advancing interoperability.
This event, to be held in Ghana, is aimed at fostering continent-wide financial integration and boosting intra-African trade.
The program scheduled for July 5, 2024, will focus on “Advancing Continental Interoperability for Africa’s Economic Prosperity, Scaling Up Interoperability — Using Mobile Money to Buy & Sell Across Africa.”
Addressing the press, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, the Executive Chairman of APN, underscored the importance of stakeholder collaboration in achieving interoperability.
He called upon central banks, telecommunications regulators, telecom companies, fintech firms, political leaders, and the media to support this crucial initiative.
The symposium, scheduled for July 5, 2024, will center on the theme “Advancing Continental Interoperability for Africa’s Economic Prosperity: Scaling Up Interoperability — Using Mobile Money to Buy & Sell Across Africa.”
The event aims to highlight the significance of mobile money interoperability as a key component of Africa’s payment infrastructure, with the potential to revolutionize cross-border payments and foster economic growth.
Otchere-Darko emphasized the critical role of financial services in today’s interconnected world, stating, “Our focus at Africa Prosperity Network has been to advocate for continent-wide interoperability.
This effort requires the support of the media, political will, and the buy-in of central banks, regulators, and leadership across Africa.”
He further noted the transformative impact of achieving interoperability, particularly for small and micro-scale enterprises. “If we can get interoperability working, especially in areas where millions of small and micro-scale enterprises operate, it will significantly enhance intra-African trade,” he added.
The symposium is expected to bring together key stakeholders from various sectors to discuss strategies and frameworks for implementing effective interoperability solutions across Africa, ultimately driving economic prosperity and integration on the continent.
