Proposed bank-led pilot to bring together local banking services and digital-asset settlement infrastructure to support Ghanaian businesses paying Asian suppliers
ACCRA, Ghana, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stanbic Bank Ghana and RD Technologies today announced that they are working together to explore a bank-led cross-border trade settlement solution supported by stablecoin technology. The initial focus will be legitimate business-to-business payments from Ghanaian businesses to suppliers in Asia, with regulatory engagement, technical validation and pilot planning forming the next phase of work.
For Ghanaian businesses paying suppliers in Asia, cross-border payments can involve multiple intermediaries, adding time, cost and complexity to settlement and payment tracking. The parties intend to assess how digital-asset settlement infrastructure can complement existing banking services to deliver a more efficient and transparent trade payment experience within the regulated banking system.
Under the proposed model, Stanbic Bank Ghana would remain the customer-facing bank, responsible for customer onboarding and account opening, know-your-customer (KYC) checks, transaction approval and local-currency settlement, together with the associated local compliance oversight. RD Technologies would provide payment technology, digital-asset infrastructure and access to its Asian settlement network, coordinating overseas settlement. Stablecoin technology would support the underlying cross-border settlement process, while business customers would access the relevant banking services through Stanbic Bank Ghana.
Subject to the requisite regulatory no-objection, the parties intend to establish a project team to progress technical testing and the design of a controlled pilot. Stanbic Bank Ghana will support the pilot by facilitating participation of eligible customers introduced for the proposed use case, subject to the bank’s normal onboarding, compliance, risk assessment, and transaction-approval requirements.
Darwin Mireku, Head, Strategy Enablement, Stanbic Bank Ghana, said:
“Reliable and efficient payments are essential for Ghanaian businesses engaged in international trade. Through this collaboration, we aim to assess how new technology can help customers settle legitimate trade payments with suppliers in Asia more smoothly. Customer needs, compliance and risk management will guide the design and testing of the proposed solution as we engage with the relevant regulators and work towards a controlled pilot.”
Rita Liu, CEO, RD Technologies, said:
“This collaboration brings together Stanbic Bank Ghana’s domestic banking capabilities and RD Technologies’ digital-asset infrastructure and connectivity with Asian markets. Our shared objective is to explore a secure, compliant and more efficient way for Ghanaian businesses to settle legitimate trade payments with suppliers in Asia. The next phase will focus on regulatory engagement, technical validation and the design of a controlled pilot.”
The parties will continue engagement with the relevant regulatory stakeholders and, subject to the necessary regulatory no-objection, proceed with technical validation and operating-model design. Through this initiative, the parties aim to support the modernization of Ghana’s payments ecosystem and strengthen its trade connectivity with Asian markets.
About Stanbic Bank Ghana
For over 26 years, Stanbic Bank Ghana has been a leading force in the nation’s banking sector, distinguished by financial strength, innovation, and a commitment to driving national growth. Since its establishment in 1999, the bank has maintained its position among Ghana’s top tier-one institutions, delivering world-class solutions guided by a highly experienced leadership team. As a subsidiary of the Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest bank by assets, Stanbic Bank leverages deep sector expertise and a strong pan-African presence across 20 countries. Standard Bank Group is the first African banking group to be licensed as a direct CIPS participant. Standard Bank’s strategic partnership with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), a 20% shareholder, further enhances Stanbic Bank Ghana’s access to global trade finance networks, Asian markets, and competitive cross-border financing opportunities. Stanbic Bank provides structured finance, capital solutions, treasury services, commodity trade expertise, and strategic advisory support. Guided by the purpose that “Ghana is our home,” Stanbic Bank Ghana remains committed to driving growth by empowering businesses, enabling prosperity, and supporting national development for decades to come.
About RD Technologies
RD Technologies is a global financial technology group that provides innovative digital financial services to enterprises through its regulated subsidiaries. The group is dedicated to building the next generation of financial infrastructure bridging traditional finance (Web2) and Web3. As an early participant admitted into the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) Stablecoins Issuer Sandbox, RD Technologies maintains a steadfast commitment to balancing rigorous compliance with pioneering innovation. To date, the group has secured over $90 million USD in cumulative funding. Its prestigious investor base features prominent global institutions and strategic industry heavyweights, including HashKey Group, HongShan (HSG), ZA Global, Solana Foundation, Guotai Junan International, China Harbour, Bright Venture Capital, Hivemind Capital, Eternal Digital Capital, Junsan Capital, and Aptos Labs.
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