Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
Karsten Wenzlaff is a Crowdfunding and Fintech Expert from Germany. He is Secretary-General of Digit[...]
NCFA x CAFS 2025 Partner to Bridge Canada-Africa Fintech
NCFA Release | May 28, 2025
Canada-Africa Fintech Summit Aug 5-8, 2025 x NCFA
NCFA Canada Partners with Inaugural 2025 Canada-Africa Fintech Summit in Toronto
Toronto, ON – May 28, 2025 – The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA) is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the inaugural Canada-Africa Fintech Summit (CAFS), taking place from August 5 to 8, 2025, at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel in downtown Toronto. This groundbreaking event will bring together fintech leaders, investors, policymakers, startups, and ecosystem builders from across Canada and the African continent to accelerate cross-border collaboration, mobilize capital, and drive inclusive innovation.
The strategic partnership aims to drive cross-border fintech growth, innovation, capital, and advance policy discussions and comes at a pivotal moment, following the release of Canada’s official Canada-Africa Strategy, which outlines a renewed commitment to building economic ties, investment, and digital cooperation between the two regions.
Africa’s $1 Trillion Innovation Opportunity
Africa’s fintech sector is experiencing explosive growth and global recognition. The continent has become a proving ground for digital financial innovation and a growing magnet for global capital. Here’s why it matters:
- Over 1.1 billion mobile money accounts in 2024 (more than 50% of global users). $1.1 trillion in transaction volume processed across African mobile money platforms in 2024
- An estimated $190 billion contribution to Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP from mobile-enabled services
- Growth from 450 fintech companies in 2020 to over 1,263 by 2024. Nigeria hosts 28% of all fintech companies on the continent
- $1.55 billion in startup funding raised in 2023, with 58% coming from equity deals
- $919 billion across 62 billion transactions processed via mobile money in 2023 representing 65.6% of global mobile money value
The infrastructure, capital, and consumer demand are already in place. While only a few fintechs currently operate at scale across both Canada and Africa, the opportunity is open. Now is the time for founders, investors, and policymakers to turn this into a two-way fintech bridge, and CAFS 2025 is where that future takes shape.
NCFA-CAFS Strategic Partnership
NCFA is working closely with CAFS organizers to help shape a dynamic agenda that connects Canadian fintechs and investors to growth opportunities in Africa while also supporting African fintechs looking to enter the Canadian market and tap into its innovation ecosystem.
See: Canadian Fintech Booms with $9.5B
Craig Asano, NCFA Founder and CEO:
“CAFS 2025 represents a historic opportunity to connect two of the most innovative and entrepreneurial fintech ecosystems. We’re excited to support a platform that brings together the talent, tools, and investment needed to build truly global ventures.”
CAFS Program Overview
- Day 1 – AUG 5 (Evening): Hotel Check-in and Welcome Cocktails
Theme: Welcome to the inaugural CAFS 2025
- Day 2 – AUG 6 (Full Day): Innovate, Inspire, Connect
Theme: Fintech Innovation, Canada-Africa Strategy, Economic Growth, Partnerships
- Day 3 – AUG 7 (Full Day): Activate and Engage
Capital, Infrastructure, Policy Alignment, Mobilization
- Day 4 – AUG 8 (Half Day): Fintech Innovation Tour
Experience: Innovation Hubs & Fintech Company Tour, and Networking Boat Cruise for VIP delegates
Select Speakers
- HE Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
- Gbenga Agboola, CEO and Co-Founder, Flutterwave
- Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, E-Business and Retail Products, First Bank
- Sunil Sharma, Venture Capitalist and Ecosystem Connector
- Khadijat Amusat, Founder, Women TechMakers; Developer Relations Engineer, Celo Foundation
- Ayo Oyaleke, Co-founder and CEO, Mainstack (Techstars NYC ’23)
See: Davos 2025 Themes and Takeaways for Fintech
Lots more speakers confirmed and more to come. Full agenda coming soon.
Join the Movement
Dr. Segun Aina, President of the African Fintech Network and CAFS Co-Convenor:
“This isn’t just another fintech event—it’s a catalyst for shared opportunity. We’re fostering the relationships and strategies needed to scale inclusive fintech solutions across continents.”
Visit: https://cafsummit.com
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About NCFA Canada
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA) is a global fintech association based in Canada that champions financial innovation and supports a vibrant fintech ecosystem through education, market intelligence, advocacy, and strategic partnerships. NCFA works with startups, investors, regulators, and stakeholders across fintech, web3, blockchain, crypto, AI, open banking, and alternative finance to drive inclusive growth and real-world impact.
About the Canada-Africa Fintech Summit (CAFS)
The Canada-Africa Fintech Summit (CAFS) is a global platform connecting fintech leaders, investors, startups, and policymakers from Canada and Africa. Focused on collaboration, investment, and innovation, CAFS accelerates scalable fintech solutions and sustainable economic growth. The 2025 edition in Toronto marks the Summit’s inaugural launch.
Inquiries:
Craig Asano
Founder and CEO, NCFA Canada
casano@ncfacanada.org
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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