The Next Stablecoin Boom in Africa Won’t Come From Retail Traders, Says Kora CEO

LAGOS — The next chapter of stablecoin adoption in Africa will be led by businesses moving money across borders rather than retail crypto traders, according to Kora CEO Dickson Nsofor.

In a recent thought leadership article, Nsofor argued that stablecoins have evolved beyond speculative assets into critical payment infrastructure, helping African businesses navigate foreign exchange shortages, currency volatility and inefficient cross-border settlement.

His comments come as stablecoins continue gaining traction across the continent, where businesses increasingly rely on dollar-denominated digital assets to facilitate international payments and treasury operations.

Kora CEO Says Stablecoin Adoption Is Solving Real Problems

Nsofor believes Africa’s rapid stablecoin adoption is driven by necessity rather than enthusiasm for emerging technology.

According to him, businesses have embraced stablecoins because existing financial infrastructure often struggles to meet the demands of cross-border commerce.

Foreign exchange shortages, weakening local currencies, and declining correspondent banking relationships have increased the cost and complexity of moving money across African markets.

Stablecoins provide an alternative settlement mechanism that allows businesses to transfer value globally without relying entirely on traditional correspondent banking networks.

Enterprise Payments Could Drive the Next Stablecoin Boom

While retail investors played a significant role during the early years of cryptocurrency adoption, Nsofor argues that the next growth phase will be driven by businesses.

Cross-border merchants, exporters, fintech companies and multinational businesses increasingly require faster, cheaper and more predictable settlement solutions.

Rather than holding stablecoins as investment assets, many businesses are using them as operational tools for treasury management and international payments.

This shift reflects a broader evolution in how digital assets are being integrated into everyday financial infrastructure.

Stablecoins Are Becoming Invisible Financial Infrastructure

One of Nsofor’s central arguments is that stablecoins will increasingly operate behind the scenes.

Consumers may continue paying with local bank accounts, cards or mobile money, while fintech companies use stablecoins as the underlying settlement layer connecting financial institutions across multiple jurisdictions.

In this model, end users may never directly interact with blockchain technology, even though stablecoins facilitate the movement of funds between businesses.

For infrastructure providers, the focus shifts from cryptocurrency trading to improving payment efficiency.

Africa’s Payment Challenges Continue to Drive Innovation

Africa remains one of the world’s most expensive regions for cross-border payments.

Many international transactions still depend on correspondent banking networks that route payments through financial institutions outside the continent before reaching their final destination.

Nsofor argues that stablecoins reduce these inefficiencies by enabling faster digital settlement while minimizing dependence on multiple intermediary banks.

As a result, fintech companies that successfully integrate stablecoin infrastructure could gain a competitive advantage in serving businesses engaged in international trade.

You may also like: Can Stablecoin Infrastructure Finally Solve Africa’s Cross-Border Payments Problem?

Regulation Will Shape the Next Growth Phase

Although stablecoin adoption continues to accelerate, Nsofor believes regulation remains essential for long-term growth.

Rather than restricting innovation, he suggests policymakers should establish clear rules governing licensed service providers, compliance standards and fiat on- and off-ramps.

A predictable regulatory environment, he argues, would encourage institutional participation while strengthening trust in digital payment infrastructure.

Why It Matters

The Kora CEO stablecoin thesis reflects a broader shift occurring across Africa’s digital asset ecosystem.

Instead of viewing stablecoins primarily as investment products, businesses increasingly see them as infrastructure for global commerce.

If enterprise demand continues to outpace retail trading activity, the next wave of stablecoin growth may be measured less by speculative trading volumes and more by the value of payments settled between African businesses and the global economy.

Key Takeaways

• Kora CEO Dickson Nsofor says enterprise payments will drive Africa’s next stablecoin boom.
• Businesses are increasingly using stablecoins for cross-border settlement rather than speculation.
• Currency volatility and correspondent banking challenges continue to fuel adoption.
• Stablecoins are becoming infrastructure powering international payments behind the scenes.
• Regulatory clarity could accelerate institutional adoption across Africa.