FirstBank proudly sponsored the Canada-Africa Fintech Summit (CAFS 2025), held from August 5-8 at the Sheraton Centre in Downtown Toronto.
The summit brought together fintech leaders, regulators, startups, and investors from Africa and Canada to explore scalable digital solutions, encourage investment, and promote inclusive economic development.
FirstBank’s sponsorship of CAFS 2025 highlights its commitment to fostering cross-border collaboration, financial inclusion, and forward-thinking innovation in the global fintech landscape.
Olayinka Ijabiyi, Ag. Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, stated, “Our support of CAFS 2025 reflects our belief that collaboration between African and Canadian fintech ecosystems can lead to transformative innovations.”
During the summit, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive for E-Business & Retail Products at FirstBank, emphasized the significance of digital collaboration in Africa’s financial ecosystem.
He noted that regulatory clarity is essential for building public trust and attracting private investment in fintech.
Rachel Adeshina, Chief Technology Officer at FirstBank, shared insights on harnessing AI to enhance credit access for the underbanked, highlighting that FirstBank has disbursed over ₦1 trillion in digital loans through an AI-driven model.
Adeshina emphasized the importance of scalability through collaboration, stating, “In a fragmented continent like Africa, digital scale will come from interoperability.
Connecting the 54 markets is the next big challenge, and fintechs are ideally positioned to lead that initiative.”
The summit formed part of Canada’s broader Africa Strategy, aimed at fostering economic partnerships, digital cooperation, and innovation exchange.
FirstBank’s participation in CAFS 2025 demonstrates its commitment to driving inclusive fintech innovation and promoting economic growth in Africa.
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