By Omoniyi David
FirstBank has reaffirmed its commitment to digital innovation and financial inclusion as a key sponsor of the Canada-Africa Fintech Summit (CAFS 2025), held over the weekend at the Sheraton Centre, Toronto.
The summit, convened by African Fintech Network President Dr. Segun Aina, brought together fintech leaders, regulators, startups, and investors from Africa and Canada to explore scalable solutions, attract investment, and drive inclusive growth.
Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said the bank’s support reflects its belief in cross-continental collaboration.
FirstBank’s Group Executive for E-Business & Retail Products, Chuma Ezirim, stressed the need for regulatory clarity to build trust, while CTO Rachel Adeshina revealed the bank has used AI to expand credit to the underbanked, disbursing over ₦1 trillion in digital loans with a 99% repayment rate.
The summit also aligned with Canada’s Africa Strategy, fostering partnerships and innovation exchange.
