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Circle has launched the Circle Payments Network (CPN) to transform cross-border payments using regulated stablecoins like $USDC. Set for a limited release in May 2025, CPN connects diverse financial institutions for real-time settlements, enabling various payment use cases and enhancing global transactions, especially for African enterprises.

The UNICEF StartUp Lab is a six-month accelerator in Ghana for startups focused on the Sustainable Development Goals benefiting children and youth. It offers mentorship, funding, and expertise, targeting operational businesses that use technology for social impact.

The Lisk Blockchain Incubation Hub has completed its first cohort, training 23 African startups, which received $196,000 in grants and achieved notable success. Applications for the second cohort, starting May 19, 2025, are now open, offering mentorship and additional funding opportunities.

PayPal has launched a stablecoin, PayPal USD, fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits and short-term Treasuries. This milestone enables transactions and fund transfers in digital currencies, enhancing payment experiences in virtual environments.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has launched its regulatory sandbox to foster innovation in financial services. It invites submissions from licensed financial institutions and non-regulated tech companies to test novel financial solutions under regulatory oversight, aiming to enhance accessibility and efficiency in the sector.

The CBN and ANAACOP launched the ‘Agro eNaira Wallet Engagement’ to enroll five million farmers in northern Nigeria for the 2023-2024 farming seasons, facilitating soft loans through eNaira wallets to improve financial access and streamline support.

South Africa has a major opportunity to boost government revenue, attract institutional capital, and strengthen its regulatory standing by simply updating how it classifies crypto assets.
TL;DR
Reclassifying crypto as onshore could bring in $29.7 million in extra taxes over 5 years

Cognition has introduced Devin, the world's first AI software engineer, capable of completing engineering tasks and navigating job interviews. While praised for its advanced capabilities, concerns about complexity and job displacement persist. Devin may enhance collaboration between AI and human engineers.

Ivory Coast fintech startup Djamo raised $17 million for expansion in mobile banking services across Francophone Africa, aiming to enhance financial inclusion for the underserved and accelerate growth in the region.