Interswitch Takes Centre Stage at Moonshot 2026, Showcases Innovation Driving Africa’s Digital Economy

• Interswitch Unveils Innovative Tap-to-Pay Technology in Collaboration with Mastercard                 

Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, has highlighted its contribution to the evolution of Africa’s payments ecosystem and the infrastructure supporting its digital economy at Moonshot by TechCabal 2026, where it served as a Platinum Sponsor and hosted the Big Tech & Enterprise Stage for the second consecutive year.

Held on October 28th and 29th at the National Theatre, Lagos, under the theme Courage & Conviction: Building for a New World, Moonshot 2026 brought together technology leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and other ecosystem stakeholders to examine the ideas, innovations and partnerships shaping the continent’s digital future. Interswitch’s participation featured a keynote presentation and speaking engagements that explored payment innovation, cross-border trade, business sustainability and the role of digital infrastructure in supporting economic growth across Africa.

A major highlight was the keynote presentation by Vincent Ogbunude, Managing Director, Payment Scheme and Networks, Interswitch and Managing Director, Verve International, hinged on Moonshot’s overarching theme, Courage and Conviction. Drawing on Interswitch’s innovation journey, Ogbunude highlighted five defining acts of courage that have shaped the company’s evolution and contribution to the payment’s ecosystem including the introduction of ATM services, Quickteller, POS payments, Verve and its all-new Tap-to-Pay innovation unveiled on Day 1 of the event, alongside Mastercard. These milestones reflected the company’s commitment to challenging existing limitations, anticipating changing consumer needs and developing solutions that have expanded access to convenient digital payment experiences.

Reflecting on the company’s journey, Ogbunude noted that innovation requires more than identifying opportunities. It demands the conviction to act, invest in new possibilities and remain committed to solving real problems, even when the outcome is uncertain.

“Courage in technology is not simply about being first; but more about having the conviction to recognise a problem, build a solution that matters and stay committed to making it work at scale,” Ogbunude said.

Speaking on the significance of Interswitch’s participation, Dr. Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Corporate Communications, Interswitch Group, said:

“Our journey at Interswitch has been shaped by the conviction to identify real market needs and build solutions that address them. From pioneering new payment experiences to supporting the infrastructure that enables businesses to transact and grow, we have seen how sustained innovation and strong partnerships can contribute to the development of the digital economy. Moonshot provides an important platform for engaging with the people and ideas shaping Africa’s future, and we value the opportunity to contribute our experience while collaborating with other players across the ecosystem.”

Interswitch’s contribution also extended to discussions on the role of digital payments in facilitating trade and entrepreneurship across African markets. At a roundtable titled From Protocols to Payouts: Redefining the Long Game of Digital Trade in Africa, Olawale Akanbi, Divisional Head, Growth Marketing (Merchants & Ecosystem), Interswitch, joined policymakers, diplomatic representatives, business leaders and fintech founders to examine the opportunities and challenges associated with cross-border commerce.

The discussion considered the intersection of government policy, international relations, regulatory frameworks and the trust required to facilitate seamless trade across African markets. Akanbi emphasised the importance of trust in building sustainable businesses and enabling cross-border transactions, highlighting how reliable payment infrastructure gives merchants, businesses and consumers greater confidence to transact across markets.

Suliat Aliyu, Head of Partnerships, Interswitch, also graced a panel session tagged Building Companies That Matter: From Startup to Strategic Asset. The discussion examined how African businesses can build enduring strategic value beyond growth metrics and company valuations, with particular attention to the role of partnerships, acquisitions and regional expansion in supporting long-term business growth.

Beyond the myriad of insightful sessions, Interswitch engaged participants through its remarkable exhibition and live showcase of its capabilities, providing ample opportunity to interact with many stakeholders across the technology, financial services and business ecosystems.

Through its continued engagement with future-forward platforms such as Moonshot, Interswitch remains focused on advancing payment innovation, strengthening the infrastructure that supports digital commerce and fostering partnerships that enable businesses and consumers to participate more fully in Africa’s growing digital economy.