GITEX Africa 2026 highlights push for trust in fintech growth

Tuesday 07 April 2026 - 10:35

By: Dakir Madiha

GITEX Africa 2026 highlights push for trust in fintech growth

Africa’s financial technology sector is expanding rapidly, with projected revenues set to rise from $30 billion in 2025 to $65 billion by 2030. The central challenge has shifted from adopting fintech to building reliable systems through cooperation between banks and technology firms.

At GITEX Africa 2026 in Marrakech, industry leaders are focusing on how financial institutions can digitize while maintaining public trust. The event is expected to highlight partnerships between banks and fintech companies as a key driver for handling both domestic demand and cross-border financial flows.

Financial inclusion remains uneven across the continent. A 2025 Afrobarometer survey shows that only 37 percent of adults in Africa hold traditional bank accounts. The gap is stark between countries. Mauritius reports near-universal banking access at 99 percent, while Morocco remains significantly lower at 12 percent. Limited infrastructure, weak connectivity in rural areas, and high transaction costs continue to restrict access to formal banking services.

In contrast, digital finance adoption is accelerating. Around 60 percent of African adults now use mobile money accounts, reflecting the role of technology in expanding financial access. Sub-Saharan Africa leads this trend, with daily mobile money transactions reaching $2.5 billion in 2025.

Morocco is moving to close the gap through targeted initiatives. The government launched its “Stay Cashless” program to boost digital payments, driven in part by rising tourism demand ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The country is also strengthening its financial ecosystem through Casablanca Finance City, which supports fintech development across Africa. Its Africa Innovation Lab mentors startups, while collaboration with Bank Al-Maghrib has led to the creation of the Morocco Fintech Center.

Discussions at GITEX also reflect the growing importance of Africa’s diaspora, estimated at 170 million people who send about $200 billion home each year. Much of these transfers still occur outside formal financial systems, increasing the need for efficient digital payment solutions.

Cross-border payment systems are gaining attention through initiatives such as Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, developed under the African Continental Free Trade Area. These frameworks aim to enable faster and more integrated transactions across African markets.

Regulation and trust remain central concerns. A study by Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum found that two-thirds of central banks support stronger collaboration with private sector actors in designing digital payment systems. At the same time, 94 percent of respondents identified regulatory standards as a core responsibility, while 82 percent cited cybersecurity and 71 percent emphasized consumer data protection.

These concerns underline a major obstacle to cashless adoption: public confidence. Panels at GITEX will bring together regulators and industry leaders to address governance, security, and accountability in digital finance systems.

Morocco is also exploring sovereign digital currency. Bank Al-Maghrib is developing a central bank digital currency, often referred to as the digital dirham. The project aims to complement cash and existing digital systems, offering faster and more transparent transactions while expanding financial access, especially in underserved regions.

If implemented, the initiative could position Morocco among the early adopters of sovereign digital currencies in Africa, following Nigeria, which introduced the eNaira in 2021.

As fintech growth accelerates across the continent, the focus is shifting toward governance, security, and collaboration. The ability to build trusted systems will shape the next phase of Africa’s digital financial expansion.