Cross-border Payments Must Follow Trade, Says FMDQ MD.
Akaraiwe took the helm at FMDQ in June after more than two decades in financial markets, derivatives and risk advisory across Nigeria, Zambia and the United Kingdom.
Akaraiwe spoke at the S&P Global Africa Summit 2026 in a two-day gathering in Lagos themed, ‘Turning West Africa’s Potential into Reality.’ His panel, ‘Beyond Banking: Fintech, Digital Assets and the Future of Capital Flows in Africa,’ was moderated by Luigi Motti, Head of Financial Institutions Ratings, EMEA, at S&P Global Ratings.
The other panellists were Serah Makka, Executive Director for Africa at ONE Campaign; Muyiwa Oni, Head of Equity Research at Stanbic IBTC; Ugo Nwaghodoh, Executive Director at United Bank for Africa; Niyi Toluwalope, Chief Executive Officer of eTranzact; and Jay Alabraba, Co-founder and Director of Business Development at Paga.
On digital assets, Akaraiwe described a question that has largely been settled. “Virtual assets,” he said, “are here to stay. What remains is how to integrate them.” Virtual assets, he said, now need to be brought “deeply into the system” so that they thrive “alongside the traditional mechanisms”. FMDQ Group operates exchange, clearing and depository infrastructure across Nigeria’s debt capital, foreign exchange, derivatives and equity markets.
MSEApp News is publishing an original rewrite of this tip for readers, based on reporting associated with THISDAY.