By Adedapo Adesanya
Yellow Card, a leading pan-African fintech and cryptocurrency exchange, and Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin provider, have completed Phase 1 of their strategic collaboration across three key African markets.
The two-month collaboration focused on raising awareness, providing education and driving the adoption of USD₮, Tether’s stablecoin, among students and young professionals in Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana.
Activities included financial literacy tours in universities and a canvassing campaign which involved Yellow Cards brand ambassadors engaging with individuals across major cities in the three countries.
Over 10,000 young people were reached – including students drawn from the six universities where the Financial Literacy Tour events were held, including the University of Nairobi in Kenya, the University of Benin in Nigeria and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana.
Those who attended the events received insights into the mechanics of stablecoins, gained a deeper understanding of blockchain technology and learned about the importance of responsible financial decision-making.
In addition, they each received their first USD₮ on the Yellow Card platform.
Speaking on this, Mr Peter Mureu, Director of Marketing at Yellow Card, said, “Our collaboration with Tether has provided us with a remarkable opportunity to witness the profound impact that financial education has on the youth.
“This collaboration aligns seamlessly with our overarching mission to promote financial freedom for all, which encompasses our other initiatives like the Financial Literacy Tour and the YC Academy. As crypto adoption grows in Africa, so does the need for financial education.”
Between 2021 and 2022, cryptocurrency adoption in Africa surged by 1200 per cent, and this has necessitated a rapid increase in education.
However, despite the potential for cryptocurrencies to play a vital role in the future, there remains considerable hesitancy among companies and individuals to embrace this emerging currency. This reluctance can be attributed to a widespread lack of awareness and understanding of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. The Yellow Card and Tether collaboration aim to play a pivotal role in bridging this knowledge gap.
Stablecoins, such as USD₮, address unique challenges in Africa by offering practical solutions. Given the substantial remittances African countries receive from the diaspora populations working abroad, Tether provides a convenient and cost-effective method for cross-border payments, reducing reliance on traditional channels with high fees and delays.
Moreover, USD₮ empowers gig economy workers to receive fast and secure payments instantly across borders, bypassing intermediaries like banks or payment processors.
Adding his input, Mr Paolo Ardoino, CTO of Tether, noted that, “We recognize Africa as a pivotal player in the cryptocurrency and stablecoin market,” said, “The continent has demonstrated remarkable potential for growth and innovation in the digital currency space.
“Africa’s increasing cryptocurrency adoption and the demand for stablecoins highlight the need for accessible and efficient financial solutions. Tether is committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by African communities through our collaboration with Yellow Card.
“Our stablecoin, USD₮, provides practical solutions for cross-border payments and empowers individuals, including gig economy workers, to receive fast and secure transactions, bypassing traditional intermediaries.”
Modupe Gbadeyanka