During the 2025 IMF World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C., the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) hosted a strategic fintech roundtable, reaffirming its dedication to driving innovation through collaboration in the financial sector.
The session brought together global policymakers, investors, and fintech leaders creating a unique platform for open dialogue around the future of Nigeria’s digital finance landscape. It allowed the CBN to engage directly with innovators fueling the nation’s fintech growth, assess international best practices, and gather insights to inform the next stage of its fintech policy framework.
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CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso emphasized the importance of balancing innovation with financial stability and public confidence.
“At the CBN, we are committed to creating an environment where new ideas can flourish under prudent oversight, and where inclusion remains at the heart of our efforts,” Cardoso said.
Discussions centered on five key themes: innovation and responsible growth, infrastructure and interoperability, legal and policy enablement, compliance and financial integrity, and market confidence. The dialogue underscored Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s most dynamic fintech markets and highlighted the need for continued collaboration to attract investment and sustain growth.
Governor Cardoso noted that insights from the roundtable would directly inform the CBN’s ongoing stakeholder consultations and reform agenda.
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“As we embrace new technology, it is our responsibility to uphold the integrity of the financial system — ensuring strong governance, consumer protection, and effective risk management so that public trust remains firm,” he added.
Reaffirming the Bank’s pro-innovation stance, Cardoso emphasized that Nigeria’s financial ecosystem must evolve in step with global digital transformation — advancing inclusion, efficiency, and resilience.
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The fintech roundtable forms part of the CBN’s broader program of structured industry engagement, aimed at building innovation-friendly regulation, deepening inclusion, and strengthening Nigeria’s reputation as a trusted hub for sustainable digital finance.
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