Joy Agwunobi
Shiga Digital, a fintech firm specialising in blockchain-based financial solutions, has launched a comprehensive suite of digital finance tools targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa.
The launch marks a significant step in the company’s effort to deepen financial inclusion by providing African businesses with secure, efficient, and accessible digital financial services.
The newly launched platform is tailored specifically for African enterprises seeking modern alternatives to traditional banking systems. It integrates blockchain-enabled features that simplify payment processes, enable real-time cross-border transactions, enhance treasury management, and offer secure access to digital finance.
According to the company, the platform was developed to address long-standing challenges that African businesses face when accessing or navigating blockchain-based tools. It is designed to be an intuitive, end-to-end solution that eliminates the need for technical expertise or intermediary platforms, thereby removing barriers that have previously hindered adoption across the continent.
“Our platform was built specifically for African businesses seeking alternatives to legacy financial systems,” Shiga Digital said in a company statement. “By integrating blockchain-based tools, we simplify payments, enable faster cross-border trade, offer treasury management solutions, and provide transparent access to secure digital finance.”
Beyond technology deployment, Shiga Digital emphasised that its offering aims to serve as a broader financial infrastructure designed with local business realities in mind. The platform provides SMEs with a reliable alternative to conventional finance channels—enabling seamless cross-border trade, stablecoin-based payments, advanced treasury tools, and secure digital asset investments.
The launch is underpinned by a strategic alliance with Tether, the global issuer of the USDT stablecoin and one of the largest digital asset companies in the world. The partnership not only enhances Shiga Digital’s technical capabilities but also serves as a major endorsement of Africa’s fintech ecosystem and the company’s long-term mission.
“Africa is on the cusp of a financial transformation, and at Tether, we believe in being more than just observers; we are active enablers,” said Paolo Ardoino, chief executive officer at Tether. “Our alliance with Shiga Digital is rooted in a shared belief that access to stable, secure, and scalable financial tools should not be a privilege, but a right.”
Abiola Shogbeni, co-founder and chief executive officer of Shiga Digital, described the partnership with Tether as part of a broader initiative to build financial infrastructure that mirrors the seamless service delivery experienced in developed markets.
“We’re not just developing technology; we’re building the infrastructure that will power Africa’s financial future,” Shogbeni said. “Our mission is to level the financial playing field by equipping African businesses with blockchain tools that are intuitive, reliable, and locally relevant.”
He added that the platform has the potential to significantly contribute to economic growth across the continent. “We’re working tirelessly to drive this transformation and give our customers the tools they need to succeed,” he noted.
Shiga Digital has also received the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Innovation License, a development that places the company within one of the world’s foremost fintech hubs.
The DIFC licence grants Shiga Digital access to an ecosystem comprising global banks, asset managers, and innovation partners. It also positions the company under a regulatory framework specifically crafted for virtual asset and blockchain-based enterprises.
Commenting on the firm’s expansion strategy, Dami Etomi, co-founder and chief operating officer of Shiga Digital, said the partnership with Tether extends beyond financial collaboration and aligns with both companies’ broader commitment to digital inclusion.
“Our partnership with Tether is more than financial backing; it’s a strategic alliance rooted in a shared commitment to empowering the future of digital finance in Africa,” Etomi stated, adding “Together, we’re co-creating solutions and scaling impact to ensure African businesses are not only included but thrive in the global digital economy.”
The company said the platform’s design reflects a combination of global technical standards and local market insights, ensuring that African businesses can seamlessly integrate into the global financial ecosystem. Its tools are positioned to support a wide range of operational needs—from liquidity management to international payments and digital investment access—through blockchain solutions that are easy to use and tailored for the African context.
Shiga Digital reiterated its long-term vision of making financial freedom a universal right rather than a selective privilege. The company believes its blockchain-powered innovations are positioned to drive sustainable economic empowerment and prosperity for SMEs throughout Africa.
With the dual momentum of regulatory recognition from DIFC and strategic support from Tether, Shiga Digital aims to play a critical role in reshaping Africa’s financial landscape through technology-driven, inclusive solutions.
