If you’ve ever tried to send money across African borders, you already know how expensive and slow it can be. Fees add up, currencies fluctuate, and dollar is sometimes hard to find. That’s the problem Circle now wants to help solve through a new partnership on the continent.
The US-based stablecoin company has signed a deal with a fintech unit of Cassava Technologies, marking its first major partnership in Africa. Cassava is backed by Nvidia and is best known for building digital and telecom infrastructure across African markets. Through this agreement, customers of Cassava’s Sasai Fintech platform will be able to use USDC for both local and cross border payments.
Sasai operates a money transfer and payments app that reaches users in more than 30 African countries. By adding USDC, a dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Circle, the platform will allow individuals and businesses to move digital dollars more easily, without relying fully on traditional banking rails.
Jemi Motesho
Why Stablecoins Are Gaining Ground in Africa
Across Africa, stablecoins are quietly becoming part of everyday financial life. For many people and businesses, holding digital dollars offers protection against local currency swings and inflation. In countries where access to physical US dollars can be limited, a digital dollar on a phone can feel like a safer option.
Remittances also play a big role. Millions of Africans receive money from family members abroad, and transaction fees can eat into those funds. Stablecoins promise faster transfers and lower costs compared to some traditional channels. As more trade and freelance work move online, demand for quick cross border payments continues to rise.
Recent global tensions and economic uncertainty have also pushed stablecoin markets to record highs, with total market value climbing sharply in the past year. While regulators in the United States are still debating how stablecoins should be treated under law, adoption in emerging markets has moved ahead at speed.
What the Deal Means for Businesses and Users
The Cassava partnership gives Circle a direct route into high-growth payment corridors across the continent. Instead of building from scratch, Circle is plugging into an existing network that already serves millions of mobile-first users.
Strive Masiyiwa, founder and chairman of Cassava Technologies, said the integration could unlock new opportunities. “Africa’s digital economy is entering a new era, driven by a mobile-first generation and increasing cross-border commerce and entrepreneurship,” he said. “By integrating Circle’s USDC stablecoin into the Sasai platform, it will open up more business opportunities and drive financial inclusion on the continent.”
For Circle, the deal is also strategic. Africa has one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations in the world. Smartphone use is rising. Digital wallets are becoming normal. In that environment, stablecoins are not just speculative assets. They are payment tools.
Circle co-founder and chairman Jeremy Allaire has previously said that emerging markets are at the forefront of stablecoin adoption. Africa, in his view, represents a significant opportunity to expand USDC and the company’s broader payment infrastructure.
Jemi Motesho
