The global stablecoin leader Tether is accelerating its expansion across Africa with a strategic investment in Kenyan fintech startup Kotani Pay, aiming to revolutionize the continent’s digital finance infrastructure. This collaboration marks a major milestone in bridging traditional financial systems with the Web3 economy, empowering millions of Africans to access global markets through blockchain technology.
Kotani Pay, founded in Kenya, has quickly become one of Africa’s most innovative fintech platforms, providing on-chain access to local payment channels and enabling seamless transactions between fiat and crypto ecosystems. Its standout feature — the ability to conduct crypto payments even without an internet connection — has made it an essential solution for regions with limited connectivity. Through this partnership, Tether and Kotani Pay plan to extend financial inclusion and simplify access to digital assets for users and businesses across the continent.
According to Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, the investment in Kotani Pay aligns with the company’s mission to use blockchain as a tool for economic empowerment. “We believe blockchain technology plays a critical role in unlocking financial freedom,” Ardoino said. “Kotani Pay’s vision and regional strength make it the ideal partner to drive inclusion in Africa and beyond. Together, we aim to give people and enterprises the ability to use digital assets for global operations, reduce friction in cross-border transactions, and build a more transparent financial future.”
Kotani Pay’s CEO and co-founder, Felix Macharia, echoed this sentiment, calling the deal a “strategic partnership” that will help the company continue to serve as a bridge to the on-chain economy. “Joining the Tether ecosystem allows us to scale our technology and deliver wealth-building tools for African people and businesses,” he noted.
The partnership comes amid a rapid surge in crypto adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to Chainalysis, the region remains the smallest crypto market globally but demonstrates the fastest user growth, with on-chain transaction volume exceeding $205 billion between July 2024 and June 2025 — a 52% increase year-over-year. The primary drivers behind this growth include remittances, business payments, and inflation hedging. Countries like Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Ethiopia have emerged as hubs of digital finance innovation, where cryptocurrencies are becoming daily financial tools due to volatile local currencies and limited access to banking services.
Tether has been actively building a robust financial infrastructure in Africa for several years. In March 2023, it launched YellowCard cards, enabling USDT-based payments without the need for traditional bank accounts. In April 2025, Tether announced a partnership with OCEAN to deploy mining hashrate in remote African regions and teamed up with Quidax to promote crypto education in Nigeria. The company’s latest investment in Kotani Pay represents another step toward creating a transparent, efficient, and inclusive financial ecosystem.
Experts note that this partnership could help lower barriers between traditional and digital finance, making access to global financial tools more equitable. With Tether’s resources and Kotani Pay’s localized innovation, Africa could become a model region for blockchain-driven financial inclusion.
Conclusion:
Tether’s investment in Kotani Pay highlights a broader vision — a digitally connected Africa where technology empowers individuals to participate in global markets. As blockchain adoption accelerates and mobile-first innovation thrives, this collaboration could redefine how millions of Africans send, save, and grow their wealth, marking a pivotal shift toward economic decentralization and inclusion.
