Tether’s Strategic Investment in Kotani Pay Aims to Transform Africa’s Digital Economy

Stablecoin giant makes bold move into African fintech infrastructure.

Building Digital Highways

Tether's capital injection targets cross-border payment rails that bypass traditional banking bottlenecks. The partnership focuses on creating seamless crypto-to-cash corridors across underserved markets.

Mobile-First Revolution

Kotani Pay's infrastructure converts stablecoins into local currency through basic feature phones—no smartphones required. The system reaches populations traditional finance left behind.

Economic Empowerment Play

Remittance corridors get turbocharged while local merchants gain access to global digital commerce. Another case of crypto solving problems banks deemed 'unprofitable.'

Because sometimes the most revolutionary technology isn't creating new money—it's making existing money actually move.

Tether, a leading entity in the digital asset realm, has made a strategic investment in Kotani Pay, an infrastructure service connecting Web3 users with local payment systems across Africa. This collaboration seeks to bolster digital asset accessibility and diminish barriers to global financial engagement, according to tether.io.

Kotani Pay’s Role in African Fintech

Kotani Pay has carved a niche in the African fintech landscape by offering solutions tailored to regional market demands. The company's infrastructure supports Tether’s mission to proliferate blockchain applications, including cross-border payments and digital asset management, while providing comprehensive access to financial tools. This initiative aims to empower underserved communities to participate in the global economy through blockchain technology, enhancing efficiency in international operations for enterprises.

Addressing Challenges in Emerging Markets

The investment is poised to simplify access to digital assets and cross-border payment systems, tackling longstanding issues faced by SMEs and corporates in emerging markets. These challenges include high transaction costs, delayed settlements, and restricted access to global financial networks. With blockchain-enabled solutions, businesses and individuals previously excluded from the international financial system can now access global economies with increased stability, security, and efficiency.

Crypto Adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa

Despite being the smallest crypto economy, Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a shift in financial tool access and usage, with cryptocurrency playing a central role. From July 2024 to June 2025, on-chain crypto transaction volume in the region surpassed $205 billion, reflecting a 52% year-on-year growth propelled by retail transactions and remittances. This growth is particularly evident in key markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Ethiopia, driven by real economic needs amidst high inflation and limited banking infrastructure.

Leadership Perspectives

Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, emphasized the critical role of blockchain technology in unlocking financial freedom, highlighting Kotani Pay’s alignment with Tether’s goals in Africa. Felix Macharia, CEO and Co-founder of Kotani Pay, expressed excitement about leveraging Tether's ecosystem to advance wealth creation tools for African individuals and businesses. Both companies are committed to scaling blockchain-based financial tools that enhance efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity.

This investment marks a significant step in transforming individual and business operations across Africa, setting a new standard for blockchain technology’s potential to build a resilient and inclusive digital economy.

• tether
• kotani pay
• blockchain
• africa