Circle Internet Group, Sasai FinTech partner on digital payments in Africa

Circle Internet Group has partnered with Sasai FinTech, part of Cassava Technologies, to expand access to US dollar-backed stablecoin infrastructure across Africa, reflecting accelerating adoption of digital assets in emerging markets.

The partnership will focus on exploring practical use cases for USD Coin (USDC), including cross-border payments, remittances, and enterprise transactions. By integrating Circle’s full-stack, onchain financial infrastructure into Sasai’s platforms, the companies aim to reduce transaction costs, settlement times, and operational friction for both businesses and consumers operating across key African payment corridors.

Sasai FinTech provides a suite of digital financial services spanning mobile wallets, business payments, and cross-border transfers. The addition of USDC is expected to enable more seamless connectivity to global financial systems, particularly in regions where traditional banking infrastructure remains fragmented or costly.

The collaboration comes amid rising stablecoin usage across Africa, driven by mobile-first consumer behaviour, increasing intra-regional trade, and demand for faster, lower-cost remittance solutions. Against this backdrop, stablecoins are increasingly positioned as a bridge between local payment ecosystems and global liquidity networks.

Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman at Cassava Technologies, said the integration of USDC could support broader financial inclusion efforts. “By integrating with the trusted and widely adopted USDC network, we can drive financial inclusion and open transformative opportunities for businesses and consumers alike,” he said.

Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder and CEO of Circle Internet Group, highlighted the strategic importance of emerging markets in the evolution of digital financial infrastructure. “Emerging markets are at the forefront of stablecoin adoption, and Africa represents a significant opportunity for internet-native innovation,” he said.

The move underscores a broader industry trend in which FinTech firms and infrastructure providers are leveraging regulated stablecoins to modernise payment rails in high-growth regions. As regulatory clarity improves and enterprise adoption increases, partnerships such as this are likely to play a key role in shaping the next phase of cross-border payments and digital finance in Africa.