Nigeria has been named among 12 global regions , and the only one in Africa, that Circle is exploring for expansion in 2025, as part of its transformative new payments infrastructure, the Circle Payments Network (CPN).
The announcement marks a major milestone in the evolution of stablecoin-powered payments, with real-time settlements using $USDC now live through CPN’s blockchain-native rails. It signals the start of a new era where digital assets power institutional-grade financial coordination across borders.
Africa in Focus: Nigeria’s Strategic Role
In a carefully selected list of expansion targets that includes the EU, UK, China, and India, Nigeria’s inclusion signals its growing importance in the global digital payments conversation. As the continent’s largest economy and a hotspot for fintech innovation, Nigeria is seen as a fertile ground for blockchain-powered financial systems.
With $190 trillion in global cross-border payments still largely dependent on slow, opaque, and manual infrastructure, Circle is betting that blockchain-based stablecoins like USDC can streamline transactions, unlock capital, and increase transparency.
What is the Circle Payments Network (CPN)?
Launched in April 2025, the Circle Payments Network is a blockchain-powered payment coordination protocol that enables banks, fintechs, and payment providers to send and settle cross-border payments using USDC in real time.
Key features include:
- ✅ Instant B2B Supplier Payments
- ✅ Efficient Cross-Border Remittances
- ✅ Real-Time Treasury and Cash Consolidation
- ✅ Recurring Payments for Enterprises
- ✅ Mass Payroll and Disbursement Tools
What sets CPN apart is its always-on infrastructure and programmable capabilities, giving institutions full visibility into transaction status and compliance through APIs and webhooks.
“This is what happens when blockchain-native rails meet institutional-grade infrastructure,” Circle noted in its statement.
Mainnet Partners Already Onboard
Some of the initial institutions using CPN include:
- Alfred – Latin America-focused payments infrastructure with a presence in Brazil and Mexico
- TazaPay – A B2B trade enabler streamlining global collections and local payouts across Asia
- ConduitPay – A global B2B cross-border payments platform for bank payouts in the US, China, Africa, and beyond
- RedotPay – A digital wallet provider building cross-border infrastructure in emerging markets
Together, these players are already processing live transactions and opening payment corridors across Latin America and Asia.
28 African Fintechs Already Interested
While Nigeria’s formal access to CPN is set for 2025, African fintechs are not waiting on the sidelines. According to industry sources, 28 African fintech companies have already signed partnerships with Circle to explore CPN integration.
One of the most notable players is Flutterwave, which hailed the partnership as a major step forward in real-time, low-cost, and compliant global payments — especially for African businesses and diaspora communities.
“Circle’s CPN gives us a competitive edge in simplifying international payments for our customers,” Flutterwave stated.
“It’s a game-changer for African enterprises looking to scale globally with efficient, reliable rails.”
A Vision for the Next Billion Users
Circle’s global ambitions are crystal clear: to onboard the next billion people into a stablecoin-powered financial system, where the friction and cost of traditional banking systems are replaced by programmable, borderless, and near-instant tools.
The 2025 expansion plan includes:
- Nigeria 🇳🇬 (Africa’s only entry)
- European Union
- United Kingdom
- India
- China
- United Arab Emirates
- Colombia
- Philippines
- Vietnam
- Argentina
- Turkey
What This Means for Nigeria and Africa
If successful, Circle’s entry into Nigeria through CPN could:
- 🔄 Drastically reduce remittance costs and settlement times
- 🏦 Empower local banks and fintechs with real-time treasury tools
- 🌐 Unlock global trade and payments for Nigerian enterprises
- 📲 Accelerate stablecoin adoption in everyday financial services
At a time when naira volatility, inflation, and FX restrictions are pushing users toward digital dollars, stablecoin-powered infrastructure like CPN could become a foundational layer for financial resilience in Africa’s largest economy.
As the lines between blockchain and traditional finance continue to blur, Circle’s expansion into Nigeria reflects a growing confidence in Africa’s digital finance maturity. With USDC at the center and a robust payment coordination network in place, the groundwork is being laid for a new standard in global payments — open, instant, and stable.
