Tether, the largest company in the digital asset industry, has announced a strategic investment in Kotani Pay, a leading Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) that offers on-ramp and off-ramp infrastructure connecting Web3 users to local payment channels across Africa.
The partnership represents a significant step toward empowering individuals and businesses across the continent by improving access to digital assets and reducing barriers to participation in the global financial system.
Kotani Pay has built a strong presence in Africa’s growing fintech ecosystem, providing tailored financial solutions that meet the specific needs of local markets. Its infrastructure complements Tether’s mission to expand blockchain applications beyond trading and speculation—bringing practical financial tools such as cross-border payments, remittances, and digital asset management to people who have traditionally been excluded from global finance.
By leveraging blockchain technology, Kotani Pay enables enterprises to streamline international operations, helping businesses and individuals access global liquidity and transact efficiently. Tether’s investment strengthens this infrastructure, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and connected digital economy.
The collaboration is expected to make access to digital assets and cross-border payment systems more efficient and affordable, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and corporates in emerging markets. These sectors have long grappled with high transaction costs, long settlement periods, and limited access to global financial networks. Through this partnership, previously underserved communities will gain direct access to reliable blockchain-based tools that offer security, stability, and transparency.
According to the Chainalysis 2025 regional report, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the smallest crypto economy by volume. However, its usage patterns tell a different story—one of deep grassroots adoption and growing relevance in everyday financial activity. Across the continent, people are turning to digital assets to navigate challenges such as inflation, currency volatility, and restricted access to traditional banking.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, Sub-Saharan Africa recorded over US$205 billion in on-chain cryptocurrency transaction volume, reflecting a 52% year-on-year increase. Much of this growth stems from retail usage, remittances, and small business transactions, highlighting how blockchain is being used to solve real-world problems rather than purely speculative trading. Markets like Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Ethiopia continue to lead this movement, positioning Africa as one of the fastest-growing regions for blockchain adoption.
“At Tether, we believe that blockchain technology plays a critical role in unlocking financial freedom,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. “Kotani Pay’s vision and strong regional presence make it the right partner to advance our shared goals in Africa. Together, we aim to enable businesses and individuals to access digital assets for global operations, reduce friction in cross-border transactions, and foster a more inclusive financial future through informed and responsible use of digital assets.”
Echoing this sentiment, Felix Macharia, CEO and Co-founder of Kotani Pay, stated: “At Kotani Pay, we’ve seen first-hand the rapid rise of blockchain adoption across Africa in various use cases. This strategic investment from Tether strengthens our ability to serve as a bridge to the on-chain economy, connecting millions of Africans to global financial opportunities. We’re proud to join the Tether ecosystem and leverage shared expertise to build tools that create wealth and empower African businesses and individuals.”
The partnership underscores a shared commitment to advancing financial inclusion across Africa. By combining Tether’s global experience in digital asset innovation with Kotani Pay’s deep understanding of African markets, the two companies aim to develop scalable blockchain-based solutions that drive efficiency, transparency, and empowerment.
This investment represents more than just a capital injection—it marks a pivotal shift in how blockchain technology can directly improve daily life and business operations across the continent. Together, Tether and Kotani Pay are setting a new benchmark for collaboration between global crypto leaders and regional innovators, shaping a more resilient, accessible, and inclusive digital economy for Africa.
