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Africa is seeing remarkable growth in the number of instant payment services offered to businesses and consumers.

Absa’s award-winning foreign exchange experts share their insights around trade tensions,  emerging market currencies, and cross-border payment innovations in the second issue of our Focused on FX newsletter. Download our latest newsletter to read their analysis. 

The future of digital assets will be built on trust. Across Africa, digital assets are accelerating from speculative hype to real institutional utility. But while the demand is rising, confidence has not yet caught up.

Siphumelele Mavuma, Head: Integrated Platforms at Absa CIB, explains how the bank partners with fintechs to co-create solutions for clients.

Amarnath Telukdarie, Product Development: Payments Clearing and Settlement at Absa CIB, explores the evolving payments landscape across Africa, highlighting the push for harmonisation and the regulatory complexities that shape cross-border transactions.

In 2017, as Cape Town faced one of the most severe droughts in its history, the city issued a R1 billion green bond – South Africa’s first municipal instrument of its kind. The proceeds were channelled into projects designed to strengthen long-term urban resilience: electric bus procurement, water systems, energy efficiency upgrades, coastal infrastructure, and sanitation treatment.

Unlocking Africa’s urban future starts with resilient infrastructure. Join the Absa Africa Impact Matters Series as we spotlight South African metros tackling water challenges through bold investment, blended finance, and public-private partnerships.

Africa’s payment landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by digital innovation, regional integration efforts, and evolving geopolitical dynamics.

Robyn Lawson, Head of Digital Product: Custody at Absa CIB, unpacks the technology underpinning Absa’s new digital asset custody solution, offered in partnership with Ripple.

Bakang Letshwiti, Head of Public Sector Coverage and Pulana Mokwele, Coverage Banker, Absa CIB, explain how public–private partnerships can be leveraged to overcome South Africa’s infrastructure-funding crisis and unpack the vital role banks play in making those collaborations effective.

Technology is reshaping how we live, work and connect, and how businesses deliver value. At Absa CIB, this isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about leading the way. Our commitment to digital value creation goes beyond mere technological adoption; it’s about reimagining the very essence of banking for the digital age.

Rocky trade relations and troubled economies have been plaguing financial markets worldwide, but Africa is positioning itself for success. Absa's Jeff Gable, Chief Economist, and Anthony Kirui, Head of Global Markets for Africa Regions, explore how African countries are laying the foundation for long-term structural transformation, even in the face of global adversity.