Connecting to high-tech international payment networks will boost trade across Africa, says Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He was speaking at the third edition of the Russia–Africa Summit. During a tour of an exhibition of advanced Russian solutions, Putin and African leaders were shown the cross-border payment capabilities of Russian financial technology firm A7.
A7 is a Russian international payments company founded in 2024 that says its payment infrastructure covers more than 100 countries.
Modernising payments infrastructure is now essential for delivering seamless customer experiences, enabling real-time transactions while navigating rising fraud threats, evolving compliance pressures, and the growing complexity of payment ecosystems.
To this end, Putin says modern payment technologies enable online transactions using conventional and digital currencies, ensuring convenience and transparency in accordance with international law.
"Digital currencies are being developed in the US, and they are being developed here as well. So why can't the African continent connect to this high-tech network?" says Putin.
The Russian president also emphasised the sovereign nature of the payment network presented and its independence from external restrictions.
"No one will block anything for you. From the perspective of modern technology, it is impossible to block such payments."
Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation Anton Siluanov highlighted A7's entry into the African international payments market, saying it offers high speed and low cost.
A7 is developing international payment infrastructure, including in Africa. In 2025, the company opened representative offices in Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
The push by Moscow comes as African financial sectors actively expand native cross-border settlement channels.
Platforms such as the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System — backed by Afreximbank and the African Union — are already working with central banks across the continent to enable instant local-currency commercial trade without third-party foreign exchange dependencies.
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