Africa is a continent rich in human capital, talent, entrepreneurial stamina and mineral resources and is home to one of the fastest growing middle classes in the world estimated at around 350 million. Despite the progress made, Africa is burdened by poor economic leadership, currencies that are difficult to convert and old colonial borders that were drawn for administration rather than economic markets and are inconsistent with the growth of the large commercial markets such as COMESA.

Low banking and insurance penetration affects 70-90% of the unbanked in Africa. This has led to a thriving informal exchange and remittance market which is largely cash driven that enables international commerce. Cash is risky, expensive and limiting in terms of credit growth, financial inclusion and bulk purchases.