The Africa Prosperity Network (APN) has called on African governments, regulators, central banks, fintech firms and private sector actors to urgently accelerate implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol and establish continent-wide mobile money interoperability to unlock Africa’s digital economic potential.
According to the organisation, while African leaders continue to make strong declarations about digital transformation and artificial intelligence, the continent’s greatest challenge now lies in implementation rather than policy recognition.
In a statement signed by Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network, APN welcomed the commitments made at the recent Africa Forward Summit on digital transformation, inclusive innovation and alignment with African Union frameworks.
However, the organisation stressed that Africa has already spent years acknowledging the importance of the digital economy and must now shift toward coordinated and measurable action.
AfCFTA digital trade protocol implementation
The Africa Prosperity Network identified accelerated implementation of the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol as one of the continent’s most urgent priorities.
Although the protocol was adopted in 2024, APN noted that many African countries are yet to operationalise its provisions, limiting progress toward seamless digital trade integration across the continent.
The organisation urged African governments and stakeholders to immediately develop practical implementation roadmaps supported by pilot programmes and cross-border initiatives.
According to APN, areas requiring immediate attention include cross-border e-commerce systems, mutual recognition of digital identities, and harmonised data governance frameworks.
The organisation argued that without coordinated implementation, Africa risks slowing the momentum toward building a digitally integrated continental market capable of supporting businesses, innovation and economic transformation.
Mobile money interoperability
A major focus of the statement was the urgent need for mobile money interoperability across Africa.
APN described mobile money as Africa’s most successful digital financial innovation but warned that fragmented payment systems continue to create barriers to cross-border trade, remittances, SME expansion and investment flows.
The organisation noted that despite Africa’s leadership in digital finance, Africans still face unnecessary challenges when attempting to transfer money seamlessly across borders using mobile wallets.
It stressed that achieving continent-wide interoperability would significantly improve the movement of goods, services, people and capital across African economies.
Africa dominates global mobile money transactions
The Africa Prosperity Network highlighted the rapid expansion of mobile money across the continent, citing major global transaction figures to support its argument for urgent integration.
According to APN, global mobile money transactions exceeded US$2 trillion in 2025, doubling from the first trillion-dollar milestone within just four years.
Africa alone accounted for approximately 66 per cent of the total global mobile money transaction value, processing an estimated US$1.43 trillion in transactions in 2025.
The statement further disclosed that about 1.2 billion mobile money accounts are currently registered across the continent, representing more than half of all mobile money accounts globally.
APN said the figures demonstrate that Africa already possesses one of the world’s most advanced digital financial ecosystems.
However, it argued that the lack of integration between national payment systems continues to undermine the full economic benefits of the sector.
Digital borderlessness key to continental integration
The organisation stressed that making Africa digitally borderless could become one of the fastest routes toward deeper continental integration.
According to APN, enabling Africa’s estimated 1.5 billion people to trade freely across borders using mobile money wallets would dramatically expand intra-African trade, logistics, transport, investment and entrepreneurship.
It added that improved digital integration would also strengthen critical sectors such as e-health, e-commerce and digital services while creating employment opportunities for Africa’s rapidly growing youth population.
“Indeed, one of the fastest ways of making Africa borderless is making Africa digitally borderless,” the statement said.
APN argued that removing payment barriers would help unlock broader economic participation for women, young entrepreneurs and underserved communities across the continent.
APN pledges support for implementation
The Africa Prosperity Network said it remains committed to supporting implementation efforts, dialogue and private sector collaboration to ensure the Digital Trade Protocol achieves practical impact.
The organisation indicated that it would continue engaging governments, regulators, businesses and development partners to accelerate implementation tracking and deepen private sector participation.
According to APN, successful execution of the protocol would deliver tangible benefits to businesses and strengthen economic integration under the AfCFTA framework.
Call for public support
APN also called on African businesses and citizens to support its broader campaign for faster continental economic integration.
The organisation disclosed that more than 120,000 Africans have already signed its petition advocating accelerated economic integration across the continent.
It urged more Africans to support the initiative, stressing that deeper digital and economic integration remains critical to Africa’s long-term prosperity and global competitiveness.
