Unlocking Africa’s Trade and Fintech Potential: A Conversation with Nick Murphy

Africa is rising. Slowly, steadily, and with an undercurrent of untapped energy. But as much as that phrase has become a buzzword in development and investment circles, few people truly grasp the scale of what’s coming. In a conversation with Nick Murphy, CEO of Kutana Pay, the conversation went far beyond fintech into the heart of Africa’s economic future, and why now is a defining moment.

Why Regulators Hold the Key to Africa’s Financial Future

We began our conversation with something often overlooked in the fast-moving world of fintech: regulation. While most people think tech companies and startups are leading Africa’s financial transformation, Nick was quick to redirect the spotlight.

The regulators play a very key role in building the financial sector of the continent,” he said.

He pointed out that, yes, innovation is happening. Ghana, for instance, has started putting mechanisms in place to encourage fintech growth. But the kind of structure and sustained support seen in places like the UK and the West, incubators, funding pipelines, and clear regulatory frameworks, is still maturing in Africa.

READ ALSO: Despite’s Automobile Museum: A Misplaced Investment or a Catalyst for Economic Imagination?

This matters. Because no matter how great your technology is, if it doesn’t align with regulation, it won’t scale.

Intercontinental trade in Africa is currently just 14%. In Europe, it’s 69%.

That means African countries are trading more with the rest of the world than they are with each other, and that’s a big problem. It’s also a big opportunity.

For more insights and inspiring stories , kindly follow us on Twitter and WhatsApp for more.

If you think about it, Africa is made up of 54 countries, most with their own currencies, banking systems, and trade rules. This complexity makes cross-border trade and payments unnecessarily difficult.

Nick’s company exists to help solve part of that problem, but what he emphasized wasn’t his business. It was the broader vision: making it easier, faster, and safer to move money across African borders to empower entrepreneurs, small businesses, and unbanked populations.

2050: The New Face of Africa

The numbers Nick shared are not only compelling, they’re a wake-up call.

 • Africa’s population is expected to double by 2050.

 • Its economy is projected to grow 10x, from roughly $3 trillion today to nearly $30 trillion

And here’s the kicker: this growth won’t be passive. The population will be overwhelmingly young and entrepreneurial, starting businesses, innovating out of necessity, and solving local challenges.

These young people are going to need services,” Nick noted. “They’ll need cross-border payment platforms, safer financial tools, and systems that enable, not restrict, their progress.

READ ALSO: Entrepreneurship isn’t just about having a great product or service, it’s about being obsessed with it.

This future population will be digitally native and deeply connected, but without solid infrastructure, especially financial, it will be difficult to unlock their full potential.

Why Now Is the Right Time to Invest in Africa

As our conversation drew to a close, I found myself echoing something I often share with young entrepreneurs and global observers alike:

“If you’re thinking of somewhere to make your investments, the right time is now, and the right place is Africa.

Nick’s insights didn’t promote Kutana Pay as a company. They promoted a mindset, one that sees Africa not as a challenge to be fixed, but a continent of potential to be unlocked.

For more insights and inspiring stories , kindly follow us on Twitter and WhatsApp for more.

There’s an entire financial ecosystem still being built, and with smart regulation, regional cooperation, and bold entrepreneurship, the next few decades could see Africa emerge as one of the world’s most dynamic economic zones.

The Takeaway

This wasn’t just another interview about fintech. It was a reminder that Africa’s story is still being written, and we each have a role to play.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur on the ground, an investor looking from abroad, or a policymaker shaping frameworks, the time to act is now. Because the future of Africa’s economy won’t just impact the continent, it will reshape the world.

Watch the full interview with Nick Murphy

Subscribe to DTC OfficialGh for more deep conversations on business, technology, and transformation in Africa.