Tether Invests in Kenya’s Kotani Pay to Boost Digital Payments Across Africa

In Summary:

• Tether has made a strategic investment in Kenyan fintech Kotani Pay to expand digital asset access in Africa.

• The partnership aims to make cross-border payments faster and more affordable.

• Kotani Pay operates in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, bridging blockchain and local payment systems.

• The deal underscores Africa’s growing influence in global blockchain adoption and financial inclusion.

Stablecoin issuer Tether has announced a strategic investment in Kotani Pay, a Kenyan fintech company that connects blockchain applications to mobile money and local banking systems across Africa.

The investment — whose value was not disclosed — seeks to expand access to digital assets and make cross-border payments more seamless and affordable for individuals and businesses across the continent.

Kotani Pay currently operates in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, supporting remittances, humanitarian aid disbursements, and gig economy payments.

“We believe blockchain technology plays a critical role in unlocking financial freedom,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether.
“Kotani Pay’s regional expertise and infrastructure make it a strong partner to drive our shared vision of expanding digital asset access and reducing friction in cross-border transactions.”

Driving Financial Inclusion Through Blockchain

Kotani Pay provides the infrastructure layer that enables users to move money between digital assets and local payment platforms such as M-Pesa, bridging traditional and decentralized finance.

CEO and Co-founder Felix Macharia said Tether’s backing will accelerate the company’s growth and strengthen its partnerships across Africa.

“We have witnessed the rising use of blockchain technology across Africa for real-life applications,” Macharia said.
“This strategic partnership with Tether positions us to scale faster as a bridge between the on-chain economy and millions of Africans who need access to affordable financial tools.”

Africa’s Crypto Adoption Rising

According to Chainalysis, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the smallest crypto economy globally by value but boasts the highest rate of grassroots adoption.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, the region recorded US$205 billion in crypto transactions — a 52% year-on-year increase.

This surge has been driven by retail users, remittance flows, and small businesses seeking stability amid local currency volatility and high transfer fees.

Tether’s Growing Presence in Africa

Through Kotani Pay, Tether aims to deepen the use of stablecoins in everyday commerce, allowing Africans to hold and transact in digital currencies pegged to the US dollar.
This could make financial transactions faster, cheaper, and more reliable — especially for unbanked and underbanked populations.

“This investment sets a new benchmark for how digital assets can transform financial access across Africa,” Macharia added.
“It’s about connecting people, not speculation.”