Cross-border payments between Africa and the United States are undergoing a fundamental transformation — and the commercial stakes could not be higher. High fees, lengthy delays, fragmented systems, and regulatory uncertainty have long acted as a hidden tax on U.S.-Africa trade, remittances, and investment. For businesses on both sides of the Atlantic, the cost of moving money has too often been the cost of doing business. 

That is changing fast. Stablecoins, fintech platforms, and innovations within traditional banking are enabling faster transactions, lower costs, and more direct access to dollar-based payments — removing friction that has historically limited the volume and velocity of U.S.-Africa commercial flows. As these solutions gain traction across markets, they are creating new opportunities for importers, exporters, diaspora communities, and investors to transact with speed, transparency, and confidence. 

This session moves beyond the promise to focus on what is already working and how it can scale. Speakers will share real use cases, highlight emerging public-private and cross-border partnerships, and examine the regulatory frameworks and infrastructure investments needed to build payment systems that are faster, more transparent, and more inclusive — unlocking the full commercial potential of the U.S.-Africa economic relationship