Incubator or Accelerator? The Choice That Could Shape Your Startup’s Future
Too often, the two terms get used interchangeably. But in reality, they serve very different purposes in a founder’s journey. For African entrepreneurs navigating fragmented markets, scarce capital, and limited networks, knowing which one to choose can be the difference between a stalled dream and a growth story.
Where Will Your First Million Come From? Funding Pathways for Startups in Emerging Markets
Where banks won’t lend, microfinance institutions (MFIs) step in. Africa is home to over 400 MFIs serving more than 40 million people. They’ve long been the backbone of Africa’s informal economy, providing small loans to farmers, market women and gig workers.
The Startup Blueprint for Emerging Markets: From Idea to Launch
Engaging accelerators, incubators, and trade associations connects startups to mentors, funding, and new customers. Networking at industry events amplifies visibility and fosters cross-sector collaboration
10 Bold Investment Ideas Sparked by the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference
Sierra Leone, like many emerging markets across Africa, sits at the crux of change, where digital transformation, infrastructure gaps, food security, climate resilience, and a rising entrepreneurial class intersect. That convergence creates rare opportunities for investors ready to build systems that are inclusive, future-proof, and rooted in local strength.
Reflections from the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference: My Top Five Takeaways
As co-host, I challenged every attendee to do more than just listen. I asked each of us to make at least one meaningful connection in the room. Why? Because when like-minded individuals come together with shared intentions, the possibilities are endless. We weren’t just guests in a room, we were stakeholders in Sierra Leone’s future.
Fintech for the Informal Economy: Designing Products That Truly Fit
The so-called informal economy is Africa’s economic backbone accounting for 80–90% of jobs and up to 65% of GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa (Fintech Insider Africa). From street vendors and market hawkers to gig workers and smallholder farmers, these entrepreneurs operate outside traditional banking systems, relying instead on flexible, trust-based tools.
For fintech, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. Success doesn’t come from copying legacy banking models that have already failed this sector it comes from designing products around local realities, cultural norms, and economic behavior.
This means building for USSD, agent networks, and pay-as-you-go flows; using alternative data for credit; digitizing savings groups; and embedding financial tools directly into daily workflows. Done right, fintech can unlock trust, scale, and lasting impact meeting people where they earn, trade, and thrive.
Building Trust at Scale: KYC, Compliance, and Customer Experience in Fintech
In 2023, 72% of consumers in Africa’s top fintech markets said they would stop using a platform if they suspected weak security or mishandled data (GSMA, 2023).
So, while we often view KYC and compliance as friction points, they’re actually opportunities to build trust at scale.
First-Mover, Final Breath: What African Startups Like Okra Teach Us About Ecosystem Debt
Okra’s story reveals the infrastructure tax African fintech founders pay. Discover why funding alone can’t solve ecosystem challenges and how investors and founders can build smarter.
Why Open Banking Isn’t Enough: Designing Inclusive Financial Ecosystems in Emerging Markets
Financial inclusion in emerging markets - Mariama Jalloh
Embedded Finance Isn’t Just a Buzzword, It’s a Survival Strategy
..they do need ways to send money, access credit, insure what they’ve built, and plan for tomorrow. And increasingly, they want to do that within the apps and platforms they already use every day..
Breaking Down the CFPB’s Open Banking Rule: Here's Why You Should Care
The CFPB’s new data ruling on personal financial data is set to transform the financial landscape, giving consumers more control over their financial data while reshaping how banks and fintechs operate. But what does this mean for you?
Interoperability and Harmonization in the African continent… is it attainable?
Africa’s vision for seamless cross-border trade faces real challenges. From digital payment restrictions to regulatory hurdles, can true interoperability and financial harmonization be achieved? Explore the realities, opportunities, and roadblocks in this deep dive into Africa’s financial future.