Circle and Sasai Fintech Join Forces to Bring USDC Closer to African Users

NYSE-listed Circle Internet Group (CRCL), a global leader in internet-based financial platforms, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Sasai Fintech — a business unit under Cassava Technologies — to push USDC adoption further into African markets and strengthen the continent’s internet-native financial rails.

USDC, issued through Circle’s regulated affiliates, is a fully-reserved, dollar-backed payment stablecoin that trades 1:1 with the U.S. dollar. It powers programmable payments and financial services across the globe — and increasingly, across Africa.

Stablecoin usage on the continent is accelerating. Fuelled by a mobile-first population, booming cross-border trade, and a digital economy that’s outpacing legacy financial systems, Africa is fast becoming one of the most compelling frontiers for stablecoin innovation.

Under this collaboration, Circle and Sasai Fintech will explore real-world applications for USDC — with a specific focus on cutting costs, reducing friction, and compressing settlement times for both Sasai’s enterprise partners and everyday consumers.

Sasai Fintech already operates across critical payment corridors on the continent, offering a broad suite of digital financial services — from business payment solutions and cross-border transfers to remittance support and mobile wallet technology. With USDC and Circle’s onchain infrastructure integrated into its stack, Sasai’s platforms would be better positioned to plug African users directly into the global financial system.

Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman of Cassava Technologies, framed the deal as a natural evolution of Africa’s digital momentum: “Africa’s digital economy is entering a new era, propelled by entrepreneurship, a mobile-first generation, and the acceleration of intra-regional trade. By integrating with the trusted and widely adopted USDC network, we can drive financial inclusion and open transformative opportunities for businesses and consumers alike.”

Circle’s Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO Jeremy Allaire pointed to the continent’s growing role in the global stablecoin story: “Emerging markets are at the forefront of stablecoin adoption, and Africa represents a significant opportunity for internet-native innovation. Working with Cassava, we can extend the benefits of USDC and onchain infrastructure into high-growth payment corridors to deliver always-on global connectivity.”

This move signals growing confidence from global fintech players in Africa’s payment infrastructure story. As intra-African trade scales under frameworks like the AfCFTA, the demand for fast, low-cost, borderless settlement tools is only set to grow — and stablecoins like USDC are increasingly being positioned as the rails to make that possible.