Tether, the world’s largest digital asset company, has announced a major strategic investment in Kotani Pay, a fast-growing Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) in Africa. The move marks a bold step toward expanding blockchain access and improving cross-border payment infrastructure across the continent.
In its official statement on Tuesday, October 21, Tether said the investment seeks to empower Africans by reducing financial barriers, enabling faster transactions, and giving businesses and individuals access to global liquidity through digital assets. “This investment aims to empower people and businesses in Africa by allowing easy access to digital assets and lowering barriers to global financial participation,” the statement read.
The partnership will focus on solving long-standing challenges such as high transaction costs, slow settlement times, and limited access to international financial systems, which have traditionally constrained small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and corporations across Africa.
Tether praised Kotani Pay’s growing reputation within the fintech space, noting its ability to design localized blockchain solutions suited for emerging markets. “Its infrastructure aligns with Tether’s mission to expand blockchain use cases like cross-border payments, digital asset management, and financial inclusion,” the statement added.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino emphasized that blockchain technology remains a critical tool for promoting financial freedom and economic inclusion. “Kotani Pay’s vision and regional presence make it the right partner to advance our shared goals in Africa,” Ardoino said. “Together, we aim to give businesses and individuals the tools to participate in the global digital economy, reduce friction in transactions, and build a more inclusive financial future.”
Kotani Pay CEO Felix Macharia welcomed the investment as a milestone in the company’s mission to bridge Africa’s financial systems with the on-chain economy. “At Kotani Pay, we have been fortunate to witness and build on the rising usage of blockchain technology across the continent,” he said. “We’re excited to be part of the Tether ecosystem and leverage its expertise to create more wealth-building tools for Africans.”
By leveraging blockchain, Kotani Pay allows enterprises and individuals to transact seamlessly across borders, providing practical access to global markets while reducing dependency on traditional banking systems.
This development coincides with a surge in crypto adoption across Sub-Saharan Africa. A recent Chainalysis report revealed that between July 2024 and June 2025, on-chain crypto transactions in the region reached US$205 billion, representing a 52% year-on-year increase. Despite being the smallest global crypto economy, Africa’s growth is being driven by retail users and remittances, with Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Ethiopia leading the charge.
As Africa’s blockchain infrastructure strengthens, Tether’s investment in Kotani Pay is expected to catalyze a new era of financial innovation — one that enhances economic inclusion, boosts digital trade, and positions the continent as a key player in the global crypto ecosystem.
