Integrated payments and digital commerce company Interswitch Group has reiterated calls for African technology stakeholders to champion locally relevant innovations tailored to the continent’s realities and needs.
According to a statement from the firm on Wednesday, the call was made at the recently concluded 2025 Africa Soft Power Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.
The fourth edition of the two-day summit, running through May 22nd – 23rd, brought together thought leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and other African nations to address leadership, investment, and technological development challenges.
Key industry players and leaders at the Summit 2025 summarily called for greater economic self-determination and stronger artificial intelligence governance as the continent seeks to reduce dependence on foreign capital and prevent unregulated technology deployment.
Speaking at the summit, Interswitch Group, represented by Country General Manager in Kenya, Bernard Kinara, said that the company, as a fintech leader proudly rooted in Africa, remains resolutely championing technology solutions that connect and empower individuals, businesses, and communities to drive prosperity across the continent. He noted that beyond her role as a pioneering innovator in the digital payments and commerce space, Interswitch is always enthused at opportunities to advocate and advance the conversation around digital transformation geared towards enabling financial inclusion.
Speaking on a pivotal panel discussion themed ‘Inclusive Leadership & Disruptions: Shaping Growth and Navigating Global Shifts,’ he highlighted Interswitch’s impact – being the continent’s first fintech/payments unicorn – in strengthening cross-ecosystem linkages and partnerships by bringing together fintechs, banks and other financial service delivery enablers; in advancing borderless payments and cross-country value-exchange; and in driving required affirmative action on the social development front through the creation of opportunities for women and youth through corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives; such as #InterswitchSPAK, in line with the organisation’s corporate purpose – inspiring Africa to greatness through innovation, value-creation and excellence.
He also highlighted AI’s potential to democratise access through natural language coding tools that break down gender and linguistic barriers while cautioning against biases in AI systems.
The Deputy Governor of Financial System Stability at the Central Bank of Nigeria emphasised that anti-money laundering and fraud detection standards are becoming mandatory with AI support, but policy is leading these efforts.
However, it was noted that challenges revolve around weak data protection and low digital literacy, which the policy must address. The AI governance panel emphasised AI literacy for policymakers and the public, advocating tailored education approaches to ensure that AI tools solve practical problems for farmers, creatives, and civil servants. A technologist noted the paradox of rising public AI awareness alongside scepticism, reinforcing the need for transparent, trustworthy AI systems.
