PalmPay Calls for Stronger Cross-Border Payment Infrastructure at CBN Forum in Abuja
PalmPay Group joined Nigeria’s Central Bank at a major forum in Abuja to push for better cross-border payment infrastructure across Africa. The fintech company took part in the 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum, known as AEMF 2026, held on July 29 and 30.
At the event, Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria, explained why Africa needs stronger, more connected payment systems. He said this kind of infrastructure will help drive the continent’s next stage of economic growth.
Why Cross-Border Payment Infrastructure Matters Now
The forum brought together policymakers, regulators, development institutions, and business leaders. Together, they discussed how better regional teamwork, digital innovation, and coordinated financial systems could bring African economies closer together.
Nwosu spoke during a session on a research paper called “Deepening Regional Economic Integration Through Cross-Border Payments, Fintech, Infrastructure, and Policy Coordination.” He argued that Africa must now shift its focus. Getting more people access to financial services is no longer enough on its own.
“The opportunity is no longer just connecting more people to financial services,” Nwosu said. “It is connecting African markets through financial services.” He added that true regional integration means businesses should be able to pay suppliers, receive payments, and expand across borders with confidence.
Building Safer Digital Payment Infrastructure
PalmPay stressed that reliability must sit at the heart of Africa’s digital shift. As payment networks link up more tightly across the region, cybersecurity becomes more important than ever. Strong security will help sustain growth and build public trust in digital finance.
The company restated its commitment to a safer financial ecosystem. It plans to keep investing in consumer education, industry partnerships, and its own security systems to protect users.
CBN Governor Pushes for African-Led Solutions
PalmPay’s message matched broader themes at the forum. Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Olayemi Cardoso called on Africa to stop merely using outside technology. Instead, he said the continent should start creating its own solutions for its own problems.
In a LinkedIn post shared by the CBN, Cardoso also spoke about unlocking women’s full role in the economy. He said, “Africa cannot fly with one wing.” This message lines up closely with PalmPay’s own push for inclusive finance.
PalmPay’s Track Record With Women Entrepreneurs
In 2025, PalmPay supported more than 3,000 women entrepreneurs in Kano and Kaduna. The company gave them digital banking tools and training opportunities to grow their businesses. PalmPay also continued expanding access to digital financial services for small and medium-sized businesses and other underserved communities. Reaching these groups remains a core priority for the company.
Okonjo-Iweala Urges Focus on Local Investment
During a fireside chat, WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also spoke up. She urged African leaders to focus on actually carrying out their plans, not just announcing them. She called for stronger regional integration and better conditions to attract local investment. Sustainable development, she said, starts with confidence from investors at home.
For PalmPay, these ideas reflect a shared belief. Africa’s next economic transformation will depend on more than signed agreements. It will depend on the systems that get built and actually work.
What Comes Next for PalmPay
PalmPay said it will keep strengthening Nigeria’s payment infrastructure going forward. The company plans to work closely with regulators, financial institutions, and other ecosystem partners. Together, they aim to build a more connected, secure, and inclusive digital economy across the region.
