REGULATION | Ghanaian Innovations Minister Engages Stellar Foundation on Akuna Wallet to Boost Creative Economy

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), has held discussions with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF), Ms. Denelle Dixon, on the rollout of the Akuna Wallet — a new digital payment solution aimed at advancing financial inclusion and supporting Ghana’s creative industry.

The meeting focused on how the Ministry could collaborate with the SDF and the Akuna Group – co-founded by actor Idris Elba – to deliver seamless global payment options for Ghanaian creators and entrepreneurs.

The British actor partnered with the Stellar Network in 2023 to explore blockchain solutions for West Africa.

Elba was initially showcased in a promotional video by the Stellar Development Foundation for their campaign, ‘Where Blockchain Meets the Real World.’

This collaboration between the two entities has evolved from a celebrity endorsement into a genuine business partnership.

Hon. Samuel Nartey George applauded the initiative, noting the Ministry’s commitment to supporting pilot testing among local content creators. He emphasized that such innovative tools would expand financial access for young creatives and play a vital role in accelerating Ghana’s digital economy.

Ms. Denelle Dixon explained that the Akuna Wallet, developed under the supervision of the Bank of Ghana, enables freelancers and content creators to receive international payments within seconds and convert them into Ghanaian cedis via a secure, blockchain-based platform.

She further highlighted that the wallet provides users with virtual U.S. bank accounts, making it easier for them to monetize their work on global platforms such as X, Facebook, and TikTok without the need for intermediaries.

According to Ms. Dixon, the Akuna Wallet is part of a larger ecosystem that includes Akuna Studios and Akuna Pods, and is expected to be officially launched by December 2025, pending regulatory approval.

In its Q1 2025 report, the SDF highlighted the need for blockchain to drive real-world finance. The report highlighted Stellar’s infrastructure as idea for solving FX, remittance, and banking inclusion.

Although the precise details of the Stellar and Idris partnership have not been disclosed, the discussion between Stellar’s CEO and Idris Elba centered around the prospect of making financial technology accessible to a wider audience. Given his substantial influence both in the entertainment industry and beyond,

Elba could play a crucial role in bridging the gap between mainstream culture and the typically isolated realm of cryptocurrency.

“I don’t see myself putting my name to a crypto brand,” says Elba “I’m highlighting the capabilities of [blockchain as a] tool. And in my opinion, Stellar articulates it best.”

Sign up for BitKE Alerts for the latest crypto developments across Africa.

Join our WhatsApp channel here.