The Canada-Africa Fintech Summit has entered a new phase of global relevance following a landmark breakfast briefing held in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, on April 8, 2025. The high-level event gathered African ambassadors, Canadian institutional leaders, and strategic private sector partners in what observers have described as a historic and visionary gathering.
Hosted ahead of the highly anticipated summit scheduled for August 6–7, the briefing served as a platform for strategic alignment, diplomatic engagement, and cross-border mobilization. The summit is an initiative of Canada Africa Fintech Summit Inc., a not-for-profit organisation committed to showcasing and accelerating the fintech ecosystem across Canada and Africa.
A major highlight of the event was the announcement by Ambassador Abba Zanna-Kawu, Chargé d’Affaires at the Nigerian Embassy in Canada, confirming the participation of Nigeria’s Vice President in the forthcoming summit. The move signals Nigeria’s strategic interest in advancing fintech collaborations with Canada, with more confirmations expected from other African nations.
Also present was Ambassador Prosper Higiro, Rwandan High Commissioner to Canada and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, alongside Professor Tony Bailetti of Carleton University, a prominent figure in Canadian innovation.
“This is a world-class event in a class of its own,” stated Cornelius Babalola, Chairman and CEO of Affinity Global, a co-organiser of the summit. Africa Fintech Network, also a co-organiser and active in over 40 African countries, was represented by its President, Segun Aina, widely referred to as the “Grandmaster of African fintech.”
The event featured strategic conversations on unlocking cross-border fintech opportunities, advancing regulatory frameworks, fostering digital infrastructure, and promoting financial inclusion and youth employment. It also served as a bridge for establishing critical partnerships among governments, investors, banks, and tech innovators from both regions.
Organisers noted that the briefing underscored Canada’s growing role as a gateway for Africa’s fintech innovation and its potential to drive inclusive economic growth. The discussions and diplomatic unity on display further positioned the upcoming Canada-Africa Fintech Summit as a vital milestone for both continents.
With momentum now building, the summit is expected to attract high-level delegations including political leaders, heads of financial institutions, corporate giants, and fintech stakeholders from across Canada and Africa. The Ottawa briefing has now set the stage for what could be a defining moment in global fintech diplomacy.
