Circle, Global Citizen Partner to Introduce USDC Payments in Africa

TL;DR

• Circle and Global Citizen have entered a multi-year partnership to expand economic inclusion and digital financial access across Africa.
• The partnership will integrate USDC payments for participating vendors in Move Afrika, starting in Rwanda in 2027.
• Circle will provide educational resources, technical guidance, and digital payment security training for local entrepreneurs and production crews through Move Afrika Production Alliance.
• Circle and Global Citizen plan to explore moving the Global Citizen’s rewards programme on-chain and will establish the Global Citizen & Circle Impact Champions Award to disburse USDC funding to verified charitable organisations.
• It is unclear how operations will begin in Rwanda, as the current legal framework does not permit the use of crypto as a direct means of payment.

USDC issuer Circle announced a multi-year partnership with anti-poverty organisation Global Citizen to expand economic opportunities across Africa.

The partnership will begin in Rwanda in 2027 with Move Afrika, a pan-African music touring effort launched by Global Citizen and pgLang, the creative company co-founded by hip-hop icon Kendrick Lamar.

The collaboration will introduce Circle’s USDC stablecoin as a payment option for vendors and businesses participating in the Move Afrika touring initiative.

USDC Payments Now Available to Move Afrika Vendors in Rwanda in 2027

International artists frequently announce global tours, yet Africa is often excluded from their itineraries, even when they have substantial fan bases across the continent. Move Afrika aims to change this by bringing more international touring acts to African audiences.

Tours and live events provide valuable economic opportunities. Each stop relies on a supply chain of local event organisers, support crew, security, engineers, caterers, vendors, and more. Having African cities as a regular tour stop could drive local employment in the creative economy and strengthen the overall creative economy.

Hugh Evans, Co-Founder and CEO of Global Citizen, said, “Behind every Move Afrika concert are hundreds of people and businesses making it happen. We want to ensure the opportunities these events create extend well beyond the stage.” 

Integrating USDC payments into this ecosystem gives participating businesses and vendors additional settlement options. Circle and Global Citizen believe this integration will reduce some of the friction that keeps these local businesses out of international commerce.

Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Circle, said, “We’re excited to help the local businesses and vendors behind these concerts reach the global economy more easily.”

The rollout is set to begin in Rwanda in 2027. 

Circle to Support Financial Education for African Businesses and Creators

Beyond the payment rails, Circle says it will support “practical financial education, technical training and hands-on guidance” to local business owners and production professionals. This support will be made available through the Move Afrika Production Alliance. 

“Our partnership with Circle is about helping local businesses get paid at the speed of the show, while building the financial skills and capabilities they need to grow long after the tour moves on,” said Hugh Evans.

Partnership Extends to Charitable Funding and Blockchain Rewards

Circle says the partnership will also explore charitable funding through USDC. Jeremy Allaire says the company is “eager to explore how digital dollars can get funding to great charitable organisations faster, and make it easier for people to take part in the causes they care about.” 

The partners have launched the “Global Citizen & Circle Impact Champions Award” to provide USDC donations to qualified non-profits supported by artists, athletes and cultural leaders. In addition, the companies say they will explore bringing Global Citizens civic rewards programmes onchain.

What the Partnership Means for Africa’s Stablecoin Economy

Stablecoin use in Africa has grown over the past few years. In 2022, stablecoin activity in sub-Saharan Africa stood at $2.3 billion; by 2026, it had increased to $14.6 billion.

Stablecoin use on the continent is driven in part by its ability to reduce the costs and increase the speed of cross-border transactions. That stablecoin market, however, is largely dominated by USDT. 

Integrating USDC into the creative economy could help drive its adoption and use in commercial real-economy business operations on the continent. Circle, through this initiative and recent moves such as investing in Flutterwave, Criss Cross, Sasai Fintech, and the appointment of a new Head of Africa, seems to be pushing for USDC adoption in Africa. 

Rwanda’s Regulatory Environment and potential impact on the Initiative

While the rollout is scheduled to begin next year, Rwanda’s current regulatory environment could affect the initiative’s operations. 

Rwanda’s stance on crypto changed recently. Its first crypto legal and regulatory framework was enacted in May 2026 and is shared between the country’s capital markets authority (CMA) and the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR). 

Under the current framework, virtual assets are not recognised as legal tender. They cannot be used as a direct means of payment for goods and services unless the BNR explicitly authorises them.

It is unclear whether Circle plans to seek approval from the BNR for this initiative, whether the payment mechanism will operate via local payment partners, and how local vendors will convert USDC into spendable Rwandan francs. 

Why This Matters

Africa’s creative economy is large and accounts for about 2% of Africa’s GDP. Recent valuations put it at $60 billion, with projections of $200 billion by 2030 with the right policies and funding.

In 2024, African fintechs attracted $1.35 billion in funding. The creative industry received just $1.5 million in disclosed deals within that same period. Unlike most industries, young people and women make up a significant part of its economy, adding to its sustainability and growth potential. 

If Circle’s initiative succeeds, it could enable faster, cheaper settlements, meaning entrepreneurs in the creative economy keep more of their income. It could also mean funding for an economy that has been severely overlooked.