Circle has announced a strategic partnership with Sasai Fintech, a business unit of Cassava Technologies, to accelerate the adoption of USDC across Africa’s rapidly growing digital economy.
The collaboration focuses on integrating Circle’s blockchain infrastructure into Sasai’s payment network, aiming to reduce transaction costs, improve settlement speed, and simplify cross-border financial flows across key African markets.
Africa’s mobile-first financial opportunity
Africa represents one of the most promising regions for stablecoin adoption, driven by a young, mobile-first population and increasing demand for reliable digital financial tools.
Through this partnership, USDC- a fully reserved stablecoin redeemable 1:1 for U.S. dollars will be integrated into Sasai’s ecosystem, providing users with:
- Access to stable digital currency
- Improved cross-border payment efficiency
- Reduced exposure to local currency volatility
This creates a direct bridge between local economies and the global financial system.
Building an internet-native financial infrastructure
For Circle, this partnership aligns with its broader vision of creating an “economic operating system” for the internet.
Beyond USDC, Circle offers programmable financial infrastructure designed for:
- Real-time global payments
- Automated financial applications
- Scalable blockchain-based services
Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder and CEO of Circle, stated:
“Africa represents a significant opportunity for internet-native innovation. By working with Cassava, we can deliver always-on global connectivity through USDC and onchain infrastructure.”
Sasai’s role in unified payment corridors
Sasai Fintech has focused on solving the challenges of fragmented financial infrastructure across Africa by building unified digital payment solutions.
With USDC integration, the platform aims to:
- Reduce Settlement Delays: Enable near-instant transactions
- Lower Costs: Minimize fees tied to currency conversion and intermediaries
- Support Businesses: Allow entrepreneurs to participate more easily in global trade
Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman of Cassava Technologies, emphasized:
“Integrating USDC allows us to expand financial inclusion and create new opportunities for both businesses and consumers.”
About Circle
Circle is a global financial technology company focused on building infrastructure for digital money. Its ecosystem includes USDC, the Circle Payments Network, and blockchain-based financial tools used by developers and institutions worldwide.
About Sasai Fintech
Sasai Fintech is a digital payments provider operating across Africa as part of Cassava Technologies. The platform focuses on enabling seamless financial transactions and expanding access to digital financial services in emerging markets.
