Spotlight: Ideas

Expert opinions & narratives from business leaders in Africa & beyond that have potential for impact across the continent.

IdeasThatMatterHero-IdrisAyoBello

“Currency devaluation is a feature, not a bug”: Idris Ayo Bello on navigating Africa’s currency chaos

While many investors flee Africa's currency volatility, one early backer of Flutterwave, Andela, and Wave has turned forex fluctuations into a competitive advantage.

October 2025
IdeasThatMatter-Hero-Keri

Foreign capital follows, Africa must lead: Yemi Keri on why African business angels must invest first

The President of the African Business Angel Network argues that Flutterwave, Paystack, and Moniepoint prove local angel investors create the pipeline global VCs rely on.

October 2025
IdeasThatMatter-Hero-Aig

“Weaponize your people”: Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede’s direct challenge to African governments

The distinguished banker and investor argues Africa's greatest competitive advantage isn't minerals or oil — it's human capital that governments must strategically deploy.

October 2025
IdeasThatMatter-Hero-UNWomen

“Financing women isn’t charity”: Dr. Maxime Houinato on why gender inclusion is good business

Africa has the world's highest rate of women entrepreneurs, and they reinvest at 2.5x the rate of men. The UN Women Director argues the financing gap is economically irrational.

October 2025
Africadoesntexist

Africa doesn’t exist — yet

Four years into the world's largest free trade agreement, Africa's 1.5 billion people remain divided by barriers that policy alone can't fix. Integration requires a mindset shift.

October 2025
IdeasThatMatter-Hero-Sherif

“All innovation was born here”: Dina Sherif on why Africa must reclaim its heritage to unlock prosperity

The MIT executive argues that owning Africa's innovation narrative will change how Africans invest in themselves, creating self-sustaining prosperity at home.

September 2025