In a move that underscores the growing role of blockchain technology in Africa’s financial transformation, Tether, the world’s largest digital asset company, has invested in Kotani Pay, a leading African Crypto Asset Service Provider.

The partnership, which was announced on October 21, 2025, seeks to strengthen Africa’s digital payment infrastructure and widen access to cross-border financial services. The development is expected to bridge the gap between Africa’s informal financial systems and the broader global economy.

Kotani Pay, which connects Web3 users to local payment channels, has steadily built a reputation for providing accessible blockchain-based solutions tailored to African markets. Through this collaboration, both companies aim to simplify access to digital assets and global liquidity, allowing individuals and small businesses to transact more efficiently across borders.

For many Africans, financial exclusion remains a daily reality. High transaction fees, currency instability, and limited access to formal banking have long hindered participation in the global economy. The partnership between Tether and Kotani Pay aims to ease these challenges by enabling faster, cheaper, and more reliable transactions powered by blockchain technology.

“At Tether, we believe that blockchain technology plays a critical role in unlocking financial freedom,” Paolo Ardoino, Tether’s Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement on Thursday. “Kotani Pay’s vision and strong regional presence make it the right fit to drive our shared goals in Africa. Together, we aim to provide businesses and individuals with access to digital assets for their global operations, reduce friction in cross-border transactions, and build a more inclusive financial future.”

For Kotani Pay, the investment offers an opportunity to scale its reach and deepen its impact in local communities. “We have been fortunate to witness and build on the rising usage of blockchain technology on the continent,” said Felix Macharia, Kotani Pay’s Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. “This strategic investment from Tether better positions us to continue our work as a bridge to the on-chain economy, connecting millions of Africans to the global financial system.”

Recent data from Chainalysis indicates that Sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the smallest crypto economies globally, yet it demonstrates some of the most dynamic usage patterns. Between July 2024 and June 2025, on-chain crypto transaction volumes in the region reached US$205 billion—a 52 per cent increase from the previous year. Countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Ethiopia are driving this surge, reflecting a growing reliance on crypto for remittances and everyday financial activity.

As blockchain adoption expands, partnerships like that between Tether and Kotani Pay point to a future where financial access is less dependent on geography or traditional infrastructure. By connecting African users to the digital economy, the collaboration hopes to make cross-border trade and payments part of everyday life for millions.

Both companies say their shared goal is to build resilient systems that promote inclusion and empower local innovation—turning technology into a tool for economic participation rather than exclusion.