# African banks adopting Chinese yuan settlement systems

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/african-banks-adopting-chinese-yuan-settlement-systems
> Updated: 2026-10-19T10:46:16.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 7.

African financial institutions are increasingly adopting China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) to facilitate direct Renminbi (yuan) settlements. This shift aims to reduce transaction costs, bypass multiple currency conversions, and minimize intermediary charges in trade with China.

In Ghana, Stanbic Bank has become the first local bank to offer direct yuan settlement via CIPS. This follows China’s authorization of an RMB clearing structure covering 19 African countries. Standard Bank has reported processing over CNY8 billion (approximately US$1.2 billion) through CIPS across the continent. While the shift offers efficiency for businesses, it has raised questions regarding “cumulative financial dependence,” as increased trading and debt servicing in yuan could make African economies more sensitive to Chinese financial market decisions.

The trend has expanded to Stanbic Bank Zambia, which launched the system to provide pricing certainty for the mining, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. In East and Central Africa, Bank of Kigali became the first bank in the region to join CIPS. In North Africa, Attijariwafa Bank has integrated into CIPS to streamline transactions between Morocco and China using the ISO 20022 international standard.

Ecobank has also formalized this expansion by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with CIPS in Beijing. Ecobank CEO Jeremy Awori stated the partnership will improve the ability to support importers and exporters by connecting China’s RMB payment ecosystem with Ecobank’s network across 34 African markets. This expansion occurs amid significant trade volumes; China’s General Administration of Customs reported that China-Africa trade reached US$348 billion in 2025.

## Claims

- Ecobank partnered with China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) to enable direct yuan trade settlements. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Ecobank operates across 34 African countries. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Direct yuan settlements can reduce reliance on the US dollar and mitigate foreign exchange risks. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Trade between China and Africa reached US$348 billion in 2025. (single source)
- China has applied a zero-tariff policy on all products imported from 53 African countries since May 1. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Attijariwafa Bank joins China's CIPS payment system

Morocco’s Attijariwafa Bank has joined China’s CIPS to facilitate faster renminbi transactions and streamline trade between Morocco and China.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/attijariwafa-bank-joins-chinas-cips-payment-system

### 2026-10-14: Ecobank and CIPS partner to boost China-Africa Renminbi payments

Ecobank Group and CIPS have signed an agreement to strengthen Renminbi payment connectivity between China and Africa, supporting a trade corridor valued at approximately $348 billion.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecobank-and-cips-partner-to-boost-china-africa-renminbi-payments

### 2026-10-12: Ecobank partners with China's CIPS for direct yuan trade settlements

Ecobank has partnered with China’s CIPS to enable direct yuan trade settlements across 34 African countries, aiming to reduce costs and US dollar reliance as China-Africa trade reaches record levels.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecobank-partners-with-chinas-cips-for-direct-yuan-trade-settlements

### 2026-10-10: Ecobank to join China’s CIPS for direct yuan trade settlement

Ecobank will join China’s CIPS payment platform to enable direct yuan settlement across its 34-country African network, aiming to reduce transaction costs and reliance on the US dollar.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecobank-to-join-chinas-cips-for-direct-yuan-trade-settlement

### 2026-09-26: Bank of Kigali joins China’s CIPS international payment network

Rwanda’s Bank of Kigali has joined China’s CIPS payment network, allowing for direct yuan transactions to facilitate trade and reduce reliance on intermediary banks and the US dollar.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bank-of-kigali-joins-chinas-cips-international-payment-network

### 2026-09-23: African banks adopt Chinese CIPS system for Renminbi settlements

Banks in Zambia and Rwanda are adopting China’s CIPS payment system to enable direct Renminbi settlements, reducing currency conversion costs and streamlining trade between Africa and China.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/african-banks-adopt-chinese-cips-system-for-renminbi-settlements

### 2026-08-27: China's yuan expands in Ghana through new bank settlement services

Stanbic Bank Ghana has launched direct yuan settlement services, reflecting China's expanding financial influence and the growing importance of the RMB in African trade and clearing structures.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chinas-yuan-expands-in-ghana-through-new-bank-settlement-services

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Cite as: African banks adopting Chinese yuan settlement systems. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/african-banks-adopting-chinese-yuan-settlement-systems