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

CFO automation: An unsexy but lucrative corner of African fintech
Sometimes, the driest-sounding businesses are the most promising. And leveraging technology to streamline finance operations of African businesses is one of those gems.

Platforms are the future of Africa’s mobile money agents
Agent networks play a critical role in bringing financial services to underserved populations across Africa. But the industry is shifting towards 'agent-networks-as-a-service' offered by larger players.

Venture-scale startups targeting Africa should start with a multi-country mindset
Most African markets are relatively small and many are highly uncertain — a reality that often necessitates geographic expansion; early recognition & preparation is paramount.

Three lessons for founders in Africa’s mobile-first economy
Africa has the highest share of internet traffic coming from mobile worldwide. Here are three implications founders and builders should keep in mind.

How (African) startups should think about growth
Ansoff's matrix is a powerful but underutilized growth strategy tool, especially for startups across African markets.

Five obstacles to MSME financial inclusion in Nigeria
Nigeria's 40 million MSMEs are the engine of employment in the country and a key contributor to GDP. Ensuring inclusive access to finance for them is critical.