African countries are rapidly adopting digital payment systems such as mobile money, central bank digital currencies, and biometric identity-linked platforms, but weak governance frameworks risk undermining privacy, accountability, and equity. Lessons from global models — including India’s UPI, China’s e-CNY, and Nigeria’s eNaira — show the trade-offs between innovation, state control, and public trust, underscoring the importance of context-specific regulation. Current policy gaps in Africa include fragmented oversight, limited safeguards for consumer rights, and weak mechanisms for inclusion, especially for women, rural populations, and informal workers. A rights-based, coordinated approach led by the African Union and member states is urgently needed to embed transparency, accountability, and gender equity in digital payment ecosystems.