Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, spoke at the Inclusive FinTech Forum alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame and AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, emphasizing economic inclusion and cross-border fintech collaboration
Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan participated in the Inclusive FinTech Forum, where he joined Rwandan President Paul Kagame and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretary-General Wamkele Mene in discussing the role of financial technology in fostering economic inclusion. The event took place in Kigali, Rwanda, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to explore advancements in fintech and digital public infrastructure.
During his address, Tan underscored the strong diplomatic ties between Singapore and Rwanda, which mark 20 years of diplomatic relations in 2024. He highlighted Singapore and Asia’s fintech ecosystem, drawing parallels with Africa’s evolving financial landscape and opportunities for mutual learning.
One of the key initiatives discussed was the NextGen Digital Public Infrastructure Framework, which aims to bridge regulatory and operational gaps for fintech companies. A major milestone of this framework is Africa’s first License Passporting Framework, jointly announced by Ghana and Rwanda. This initiative will enable fintech firms to operate seamlessly across participating African nations, fostering greater financial integration.
Tan emphasized the importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing financial inclusion challenges. “In an increasingly fragmented world, we have the opportunity to build bridges, address infrastructure gaps, harmonize regulations and work together across borders and sectors,” he stated. Through such efforts, he expressed optimism about developing a more inclusive and robust financial ecosystem that serves all communities.
Source: Inclusive FinTech Forum 2025
