Circle, the issuer of USDC, has partnered with international advocacy organisation Global Citizen to expand stablecoin payments and digital financial services across Africa.
The multi-year partnership will introduce USDC payments for businesses and vendors participating in Move Afrika, Global Citizen’s pan-African touring initiative. The rollout will begin in Rwanda in 2027 before the partners explore wider opportunities across the continent.
The initiative aims to help local businesses receive payments faster, reduce transaction costs and participate more easily in international commerce.
Beyond payments, Circle will support financial education and technical training for entrepreneurs and production professionals working in Africa’s creative economy.
Circle to Introduce USDC Payments Through Move Afrika
Move Afrika is a touring initiative developed by Global Citizen and pgLang. It uses live music events to create employment and business opportunities for young Africans.
Behind each concert is a network of local suppliers, caterers, designers, production crews and other small businesses. These businesses provide essential services that make the events possible.
However, receiving payments for international projects can be challenging. Delays, transaction fees and cross-border payment restrictions can affect how quickly businesses access their earnings.
Circle and Global Citizen want to address some of these challenges by introducing USDC as an additional payment option for participating vendors.
The initiative will begin in Rwanda in 2027. It will allow eligible businesses working with Move Afrika to receive digital dollar payments through blockchain-based infrastructure.
Jeremy Allaire, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Circle, said the partnership would help local businesses connect more easily with the global economy.
He also highlighted the potential for digital dollars to improve how charitable organisations receive funding.
Circle to Provide Financial Training for African Businesses
The partnership goes beyond introducing stablecoin payments.
Through the Move Afrika Production Alliance, Circle will support practical financial education, technical training and guidance for local entrepreneurs and production professionals.
The training will help participants understand how to manage digital payments securely and use financial technology in their businesses.
This is important because access to a digital payment option does not automatically mean that businesses know how to use it effectively.
Vendors need to understand how to receive funds, protect their wallets and manage digital assets. They also need to know how to handle payments and convert funds when necessary.
Global Citizen CEO and Co-founder Hugh Evans said the partnership aims to ensure that the economic opportunities created by Move Afrika extend beyond the concerts.
He explained that the initiative would help local businesses receive payments while building the financial skills they need to grow.
Partnership Extends to Charitable Funding and Digital Rewards
Circle and Global Citizen also plan to explore other uses of blockchain technology beyond vendor payments.
One area involves moving Global Citizen’s community engagement and rewards programme onchain.
The programme recognises people who take action on social and development issues. Bringing parts of it onchain could create new ways to reward participation and support civic engagement.
The partners have also introduced the Global Citizen & Circle Impact Champions Award.
Through the initiative, Circle will provide USDC funding to qualified charitable organisations supported by artists, athletes and cultural leaders.
This creates another potential use for stablecoins: moving charitable funding to organisations more efficiently.
However, the partners have not announced that the proposed onchain rewards programme is already operational.
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What the Circle and Global Citizen Partnership Means for Africa
The partnership reflects growing interest in stablecoins as tools for cross-border payments and international commerce.
USDC is a dollar-backed stablecoin designed to maintain a one-to-one value with the US dollar. It uses blockchain technology to enable digital transfers without the price fluctuations commonly associated with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.
For small businesses, faster access to international payments could improve cash flow and reduce the difficulties associated with receiving money from overseas clients.
The initiative could also introduce more entrepreneurs in Africa’s creative economy to digital financial services.
However, its success will depend on practical issues such as regulatory approval, payment access, wallet security and the ability of vendors to convert or use their USDC balances.
Starting with Rwanda in 2027 gives Circle and Global Citizen an opportunity to test the payment model within Move Afrika before exploring wider applications.
Ultimately, the partnership shows how stablecoins could support businesses beyond cryptocurrency trading. By connecting digital payments with Africa’s creative economy, Circle and Global Citizen are seeking to make international financial services more accessible to the people and businesses powering the continent’s entertainment industry.
