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💵 Flutterwave Launches Instant Stablecoin Payments

💵 Flutterwave Launches Instant Stablecoin Payments

Plus:🏦 Zenith Bank Cleared to Buy Kenya’s Paramount Bank

Innovation Village
January 23, 2026

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TGIF☀️

Payments in Africa are evolving beyond cards and traditional bank transfers, and Flutterwave’s latest move sits right at the center of that shift. By launching instant stablecoin payments, the fintech is tapping into a growing demand for faster, borderless transactions that are less exposed to currency volatility and delays.

For businesses and individuals that move money across borders, this matters. Stablecoins promise quicker settlement, lower friction, and more predictable value compared to conventional routes that can take days and rack up fees. While the technology may still feel new to many users, Flutterwave’s entry into instant stablecoin payments signals how digital currencies are quietly moving from the edges of finance into everyday payment infrastructure.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

💵 Flutterwave Launches Instant Stablecoin Payments
💰Standard Bank Backs Bluecore’s Axxela Buyout With $285M
💵 IFC Plans $80M Loan for Sheraton Hotels in Ethiopia
📶 MTN Nigeria Logs 9,218 Fibre Cuts, 211 Sites Vandalised in 2025
🏦 Zenith Bank Cleared to Buy Kenya’s Paramount Bank
🤖 Andela Acquires Woven to Build AI-Native Engineering Talent

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💵CROSS-BORDER PAYMENTS

Flutterwave Launches Instant Stablecoin Payments

Flutterwave has rolled out Stablecoin Balances for merchants, allowing instant cross-border settlements using USDC and USDT. Activated on January 22, 2026, the infrastructure replaces traditional T+3 bank settlement delays with near-instant payments, often completed in seconds.

The system is powered by partnerships with Turnkey (crypto wallet security) and Nuvion (AI-driven currency conversion), enabling merchants to convert local currencies like naira directly into stablecoins within the Flutterwave dashboard. This allows African businesses to pay international suppliers without relying on scarce foreign currency or slow banking rails.......….continue reading

💰ACQUISITIONS

Standard Bank Backs Bluecore’s Axxela Buyout With $285M

Standard Bank has delivered a $285 million debt and equity financing package to support Bluecore Gas InfraCo’s acquisition of full ownership of Axxela, one of Nigeria’s largest natural gas distribution companies. The deal follows Helios Investment Partners’ exit from its 75% stake and Sojitz Corporation’s sale of its remaining 25%, allowing Bluecore to consolidate 100% ownership.

Acting as Mandated Lead Arranger and Financier, Standard Bank structured the funding to help Bluecore win a highly competitive bid involving more than 15 interested parties, while navigating complex regulatory and multi-jurisdictional requirements. Axxela, founded in 2001, plays a critical role in Nigeria’s gas infrastructure and regional energy trade, operating across the gas value chain and participating in the West African Gas Pipeline and Power Pool........….continue reading

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💵 FUNDING

IFC Plans $80M Loan for Sheraton Hotels in Ethiopia

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has proposed a loan of up to $80 million to Midroc Ethiopia to support a major hospitality expansion project in Addis Ababa. The financing will fund the refurbishment of the iconic Sheraton Addis Hotel and the construction of a new Sheraton-branded property, strengthening Ethiopia’s high-end hospitality infrastructure.

Midroc Ethiopia is part of the MIDROC Investment Group, Ethiopia’s largest and most diversified conglomerate, majority-owned by Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Ali Al-Amoudi. The group operates across sectors including hospitality, real estate, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and financial services, with a strong footprint in Ethiopia and international markets........….continue reading

📶TELECOMS

MTN Nigeria Logs 9,218 Fibre Cuts, 211 Sites Vandalised in 2025

MTN Nigeria reported 9,218 fibre cuts and 211 vandalised sites in 2025, highlighting persistent infrastructure challenges affecting telecom services across the country. The incidents, caused largely by road construction, vandalism, and theft, disrupted network quality and led to service outages for customers. MTN noted that fibre damage remains one of the biggest threats to reliable connectivity, increasing maintenance costs and slowing service restoration. The company reiterated calls for stronger protection of telecom infrastructure and better coordination with government agencies and contractors to reduce network disruptions and improve service stability nationwide..........….continue reading

🏦BANKING

Zenith Bank Cleared to Buy Kenya’s Paramount Bank

Kenya’s Competition Authority has approved Zenith Bank’s acquisition of 100% of Paramount Bank, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for the Nigerian lender’s entry into Kenya. The approval is conditional on Zenith retaining all 78 Paramount Bank employees for at least 12 months after completion. Regulators found no competition concerns, as Zenith currently has no operations in Kenya and the deal will not affect market concentration.

The acquisition, whose financial terms were not disclosed, still requires approval from the Central Bank of Kenya and Nigerian regulators. Paramount Bank is a Tier III lender ranked 33rd out of 39 banks in Kenya and operates alongside bancassurance and investment banking subsidiaries. The deal aligns with Zenith’s broader African expansion strategy and comes amid rising capital requirements in Kenya, which are pushing smaller banks toward mergers and acquisitions.......….continue reading