Interswitch Group, a leading African integrated payments and digital commerce company, has reiterated its commitment to championing locally driven innovation and strengthening Africa’s economic self-determination.
Speaking at the 4th edition of the Africa Soft Power (ASP) Summit, held from May 22–23 in Nairobi, Kenya, Interswitch joined key stakeholders and policymakers in advocating for a stronger African voice in shaping the continent’s technology and economic agenda. The summit convened leaders from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and beyond, focusing on inclusive leadership, investment, infrastructure, and technological advancement.
Representing Interswitch at the summit, Bernard Kinara, Country General Manager, Kenya, spoke during a panel session titled “Inclusive Leadership & Disruptions: Shaping Growth and Navigating Global Shifts.” Kinara emphasized the company’s role in building digital solutions that connect and empower people and businesses across Africa. As Africa’s first fintech unicorn, Interswitch has played a pivotal role in enabling cross-border payments, fostering ecosystem partnerships, and promoting financial inclusion through initiatives such as #InterswitchSPAK.
“Interswitch remains rooted in Africa’s realities and passionate about enabling homegrown, impactful solutions that drive prosperity and inclusion,” Kinara stated.
The panel also discussed the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), with Kinara highlighting how natural language tools can democratize access, especially for women and marginalized groups. However, he cautioned against algorithmic bias and underscored the need for ethical AI governance.
Broader summit discussions addressed themes around AI sovereignty, responsible deployment, and digital inclusion. Delegates warned of Africa’s continued dependency on foreign capital and called for frameworks to support local ownership and policy autonomy in the tech sector.
Philip Ikeazor, Director General of Financial System Stability at the Central Bank of Nigeria, stressed that AI must support—not lead—compliance standards, particularly in fraud detection and anti-money laundering efforts. However, concerns were raised over Africa’s data protection weaknesses and digital literacy gaps, with experts advocating for policy reforms and public education tailored to local contexts.
The summit also applauded regulatory strides by African governments, including recent tech policy actions by Nigeria and Uganda, as examples of increasing digital sovereignty.
Hosted annually, the Africa Soft Power Summit brings together the continent’s innovators, creatives, and decision-makers to explore avenues for sustainable development and global competitiveness. The 2025 edition spotlighted the urgency for Africans to take charge of their digital and economic futures.
Founded in 2002, Interswitch has consistently been at the forefront of digitizing Africa’s payments landscape. Through its payment infrastructure and flagship products like Verve—Africa’s first EMV-standard domestic payment card—Interswitch continues to enable seamless digital transactions and financial prosperity across the continent.