He said although there were more than 70 fintech companies and start-ups in the country, there was noassociation to coordinate and regulate their activities.

Dr Aina disclosed this in a speech read on his behalf during the 2021 Fintech Awards organised by Arkel Consult and Management Services Limited and Abjel Communications on the theme “Promoting collaborations and accelerated investment in Ghana’s Fintech Ecosystem.”

He said, AFN, a network with strong mandate to develop the fintech ecosystems across Africa, currently had 34 country national fintech associations in Africa.

“It is our goal to have not less than 50 countries in Africa as members of AFN by end of 2023,” he said.

Dr Segun said AFN was excited about the fast development within the fintech ecosystem in Ghana.

“Ghana has without doubt, showcased itself as an ecosystem to be reckoned with when it comes to fintech innovations in Africa. The evidences are becoming obvious as we now have for instance, Zeepay Ghana Limited, a locally recognised fintech company promoted by Ghanaians, gradually positioning itself as one of the fintech giants in Africa,” he said.

Dr Aina observed that the unification of the entire Ghanaian fintech ecosystem was very well deserved “as we need the rise of many more local fintechs like Zeepay to help bolster the fintech sector and economy of Ghana while impacting the rest of the continent and the world.”

The Managing Partner of Arkel Consult and Management Services Limited, Christina Swan-Awagah, said the maiden Ghana Fintech Awards, was to recognise fintechs in the country for their ground-breaking innovations which were helping to promote financial inclusion.

She said the award is to honour fintech companies for their contributions to the development of the country.

The Managing Partner said the programme would be held annually to award players in the fintech industry in Ghana.

Zeepay Ghana Limited took the Fintech Company of the Year, Paybox won the Start-Up Fintech of the Year, Tech Firm of the Year went to Clydestone Ghana Limited, Insurtech of the Year went to Insurity Digital, Edutech of the Year, Blossom Academy; Healthtech of the Year went to Mpharma, Agritech of the Year went to Kwidex, and Non-Bank Partnership went to Kudigo Inc and Bank Partnership of the Year went to GHiPPS.

The Fintech Personality of the Year Female Category went to Dede Afriyie Quarshie of Zeepay Ghana Limited and Andrew Takyi-Appiah, the Chief Executive Officer of Zeepay Ghana Limited won Fintech Personality of the Year (Male Category).

BPC Banking Technologies and Panamax were given honorary awards.