In 2025, stablecoin adoption is no longer a future prediction — it’s unfolding right now. This week, Circle and Mastercard announced independent yet complementary partnerships with Onafriq, a pan-African payments network, to expand digital finance in one of the world’s most promising regions. At the center of it all? USDC, the dollar-pegged stablecoin poised to become a powerful tool for financial inclusion and cross-border commerce.
These strategic collaborations signal a shift in how the world views stablecoins: not just as trading instruments, but as foundational infrastructure for real-world payments.
Circle and Onafriq: Bringing USDC to Over 40 African Countries
Circle’s partnership with Onafriq marks a significant leap forward for stablecoin utility. The goal is to integrate USDC directly into Onafriq’s existing network, which spans over 500 wallets, mobile money providers, and 200 million bank accounts across 40+ African countries.
This move could drastically reduce remittance costs and settlement times across Africa. According to Circle, USDC will allow local financial institutions to transact in a dollar-equivalent currency without relying on the traditional banking system.
Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle, emphasized that “Africa represents one of the most important opportunities for blockchain-based financial services.” (source)
The integration aims to make stablecoin transfers as easy as sending a text message — directly within mobile wallets already in use.
Mastercard and Onafriq: Driving Stablecoin Settlement at Checkout
In parallel, Mastercard has announced a new initiative with Onafriq to enable stablecoin-based transactions directly at the point of sale.
This pilot program will allow users to send USDC from a digital wallet and settle the transaction in local currency at supported merchants. The goal is to create a seamless bridge between blockchain-based finance and everyday payments.
This effort is part of Mastercard’s broader stablecoin strategy, which includes on-ramps, off-ramps, and compliance infrastructure for regulated stablecoins like USDC. As highlighted in Mastercard’s latest press release, “we’re creating the connective tissue for stablecoins to power mainstream commerce.” (source)
Why Africa, Why Now?
Africa remains one of the most underbanked regions in the world, yet it leads in mobile money adoption and leapfrog innovation. The continent’s high remittance costs and fragmented financial systems make it an ideal testing ground for USDC.
The combined reach of Onafriq, Circle, and Mastercard could reshape how people across Africa save, spend, and move money — without ever needing to touch a traditional bank account.
Final Thoughts: USDC as Global Infrastructure
These partnerships underscore the evolving role of stablecoins like USDC in the global economy. No longer just a crypto native tool, USDC is rapidly becoming part of real-world financial infrastructure.
By embedding USDC into mobile wallets and POS systems across Africa, Circle and Mastercard are demonstrating that stablecoins can bring efficiency, transparency, and speed to markets that need them most.
As we move deeper into 2025, this could be remembered as a defining moment for stablecoin adoption at scale.
