Konnichiwa,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- Ghana Card now works for payments
- Nigerian fintechs join CBN AML initiative
- SARS to give every taxpayer a digital ID
Ghana Card now works for payments
Ghana is turning its national ID into something much bigger than identification. The Ghana Card can now be used to make payments online, in stores, at ATMs, and even across over 200 countries, marking a major shift in how financial services could work in the country.
Here’s what’s happening: the country’s National Identification Authority has embedded a digital wallet directly into the Ghana Card. That means instead of relying on bank cards or mobile money apps alone, users can activate payments through the card itself using the MyCitizens mobile app or by dialling the USSD code *402#. The system is designed to work across banks, not tied to any single provider.
What this means is a rethink of financial access. Ghana has long struggled with low credit card usage, projected at just 0.6%, so embedding payments into a national ID could bring more people into the financial system without needing traditional banking tools. It’s also part of a broader vision: identity, travel, and now payments, all rolled into one system.
With the ID and e-passport functions already in place, the newly launched e-wallet aims to make financial services more accessible by removing common barriers. This didn’t happen overnight. The Bank of Ghana has been pushing for years to make the Ghana Card central to financial transactions. Since 2022, it has required the card as the primary ID for banking and regulated financial services, linking every transaction to a single verified identity to improve traceability and reduce fraud.
What’s more, Ghana could be testing a new model for payments in Africa, one that reduces reliance on global players like Visa and Mastercard and instead builds around identity-based systems. If it works, it could reshape how people access money, send payments, and interact with financial services across the continent.
Nigerian fintechs join CBN AML initiative
Nigeria’s top fintech players are now working directly with the regulator to clean up the system. The Central Bank of Nigeria has selected Flutterwave, Paystack, and Juicyway for a new pilot programme focused on strengthening compliance across the digital asset space.
Victoria Fakiya – Senior Writer
Techpoint Digest
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Here’s what’s happening: the initiative is designed to help these companies tighten their anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF) frameworks. It also brings in other players like crypto platforms, as regulators try to better understand how these businesses operate and where the risks lie.
What this means is a more hands-on approach from the CBN. Instead of just issuing rules, the regulator is now working directly with fintechs through supervised engagements, reviewing how they onboard customers, monitor transactions, and handle cross-border payments. Importantly, being part of the pilot doesn’t mean these companies are licensed or approved; it’s more like a regulatory test environment.
Why it matters comes down to trust and global perception. Nigeria has spent the last few years trying to strengthen its compliance systems after scrutiny from global bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Weak AML frameworks can limit access to international financial systems, so getting this right is critical for attracting investment and enabling cross-border trade.
Zoom out, and this signals a shift in Nigeria’s stance on digital assets. After years of restrictions and mixed signals, regulators now appear to be moving toward structured oversight, balancing innovation with control. For fintechs, it means one thing: compliance is no longer optional; it’s becoming core to how they build and scale.
SARS to give every taxpayer a digital ID
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has unveiled a sweeping tech overhaul that will give every taxpayer a unique digital identity as part of a broader modernisation push. This comes after the tax collector announced it was ramping up efforts to track and tax people making money on the Internet, from influencers and freelancers to eCommerce sellers and crypto traders.
At the centre of this plan is what South Africa’s taxman calls “Modernisation 3.0”, a system that will assign taxpayers a single, secure digital ID backed by biometrics and two-factor authentication. Instead of juggling multiple accounts or processes, users will be able to access everything, from filings to payments, in one place.
What this means is a shift towards automation. SARS is also bringing artificial intelligence into the mix to handle compliance, detect irregularities, and even automate parts of tax assessments, including VAT. In simple terms, the tax process is becoming faster, smarter, and far less manual.
Why it matters is efficiency and control. For taxpayers, this could mean fewer queues, quicker processing, and less back-and-forth with the agency. For the government, it’s about tightening compliance and reducing tax evasion by having a clearer, real-time view of financial activity.
This is part of a much bigger digital shift happening in South Africa. From national digital IDs to smarter public services, the country is betting on technology to modernise how government works. With SARS already crossing the R2 trillion revenue mark, this overhaul signals an even more data-driven approach to how taxes are collected and enforced going forward.
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Opportunities
- Qore is hiring for several roles, including Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, Lead Product Manager, Full Stack Software Engineer (.NET framework & React), and Software Engineer (.NET framework), in Nigeria and Ethiopia. Apply here.
- Rayda is recruiting People & Culture Manager, Legal & Compliance Officer, and Technical Product Manager. Apply here.
- Source Bank is looking for a Product Analyst. Apply here.
- Flutterwave is hiring for several roles in Nigeria, the UK, and the US. Apply here.
- LemFi is looking for a Head of Financial Crime Operations in the UK. Apply here.
- Cognition is hiring a Developer Community Manager. Apply here.
- Chess dot com is looking to hire a Product Designer. Apply here.
- Bujeti is currently expanding operations and hiring across several roles. Apply here.
- Prenetics is hiring a remote Email Marketing Specialist. Apply here.
- InterviewReady is looking for a Software Developer, a Product Associate, and a Marketing Associate. Apply here.
- Flutterwave is recruiting for several roles. Apply here.
- Briter is hiring a Commercial Director, a Senior Research Associate, and an Insights and Market Intelligence Associate. Apply here.
- Opay is currently recruiting for these roles: Partnership Manager (Fintech Experience), Junior Accountant, Junior Product Manager (Research), and IT Manager.
- Oyster is looking to hire a Risk Analyst. Apply here.
- Circle is looking to hire a Lead Product Designer (Remote). Apply here.
- SafetyWing (YC W18) is hiring a Product Manager Intern (fully remote). Apply here.
- Paystack is hiring a Performance Marketing Specialist. Apply here.
- VOYA (visa travel tech startup) is hiring an Operations and Admin Director (fully remote). Apply here.
- MTN MoMo TechSpark Graduate Programme is open. Apply here.
- MAX is looking for interns. Apply here.
- McKinsey is hiring for several roles, including Junior and Senior roles. Apply here.
- Paystack is hiring a Business Development Partner. Apply here.
- Zenith Bank is recruiting a Junior Software Tester Quality Control. Apply here.
- UNICEF Abuja is looking for a National Consultant (Immunization Programme Monitoring and Evaluation). Apply here.
- Standard Chartered Bank is hiring an Executive Research Partner. Apply here.
- e-Tranzact is looking to hire a product marketing officer. Apply here.
- Bumpa is hiring for several roles, including Bumpa Expert Lead (Account Management) – Customer Success; Product Designer; and Mid-level Motion/Graphic Designer, Mid-level Full-stack Engineer (Commerce), and Senior Fullstack Engineer (Commerce). Apply here.
- ABDS 2026 will take place April 29–30, 2026, in Lagos, gathering founders, investors, developers, and policymakers shaping Africa’s blockchain and Web3 ecosystem. The summit focuses on industry insights, partnerships, and investment opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets. Secure your pass or sponsorship here.
- Paga is hiring a Sales Manager. Apply here.
- Paga is hiring senior sales executives. Apply here.
- Paga is looking for sales executives. Apply here.
- Paga is recruiting Senior Key Account Managers. Apply here.
- Paga is hiring Account Managers. Apply here.
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- Moniepoint is hiring for over 100 roles. Apply here.
- Building a startup can feel isolating, but with Equity Merchants CommunityConnect? You can network with fellow founders, experts, and investors, gaining valuable insights and exclusive resources to help you grow your business. Click here to join.
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Have a terrific Thursday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa
