The panel, moderated by Olumatoyin Abioye, fintech product lead, featured Musty Mustapha, co-founder and managing director of Kuda MFB, and Rosemary Aimankhu, chief commercial officer of MoMo PSB.

“Every decision you make in a business has its implications, and it has its cost,” Mustapha said. 

“When you operate with the mindset of growing at all costs, regardless of whether you are really adding value to people’s lives, you are only solving for today and neglecting what could happen in the future.” 

He stressed that African users are digitally aware but operate in low-trust environments, meaning fintechs must design products that build value, not rely on incentives for user acquisition.

Aimankhu reiterated this point, noting the need to understand the context of users. “When we have the context of who those billion users are, we can actually create the value that is speaking about. It’s very, very important,” she said. 

She added that operational weaknesses are usually the first to fail as companies scale, highlighting the importance of preparing systems for growth from the outset.

Mustapha explained that the early months of a fintech’s life often leave operations underdeveloped because priorities focus on product and software development. 

“Anything or any area of a business you are not giving 100% attention to is the area that will cause problems as you scale,” he said. 

He recommended building flexibility into growth strategies and adjusting priorities over time, from customer acquisition to compliance, and eventually revenue.

On the question of trust, Aimankhu said reliability is indispensable. “You are available when I want, I can close my eyes and say, when I make this transfer, the person at the other end is going to get it. If the person does not get it, I begin to doubt,” she said. 

Mustapha added that infrastructure beyond fintechs’ control, like roads, electricity, and identity systems, is a limiting factor, and businesses must plan with redundancy to mitigate these constraints.

The panel also explored which fintech models will dominate mass adoption. Aimankhu predicted embedded finance would prevail for low-end smartphone users, noting the importance of affordable, reliable services for everyday payments. 

Mustapha highlighted the competitive advantage of combining fintech agility, telco distribution, and strong balance sheets from traditional banks.

The challenges startups avoid acknowledging has always been an issue to be addressed, and Mustapha stressed that assumptions about average users are common. 

“A lot of us still continue to have this conception of what an average user is. What they want is just that you create political trust,” he said. 

Aimankhu further added that leveraging local community networks is essential to gaining customer trust.

The discussion ended on balancing tough decisions between staff and customers. While Aimankhu said, “The customer is the reason why we’re here. You can reorganise internally to reposition that staff, but never prioritise your staff over your customer.” 

Mustapha, on the other hand, noted that a business should avoid ever having to make such a choice, maintaining both staff and customer support to keep operations stable.

Reaching the next billion users in Africa is not simply about rapid growth, but creating value, building trust, and preparing operationally for unpredictable scale.

The post Kuda, MoMo PSB Executives Warn: Scaling Fast is Useless Without Trust, Operations appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Speaking during an exclusive fireside chat titled ‘Beyond the Hype: What it really takes to build technology that scales in Africa,’ the serial entrepreneur and investor dismantled some of the most popular assumptions in African tech, challenging founders to rethink almost everything they believe about building technology on the continent, including the belief that scale begins with funding.

Aboyeji said that raising money is not the hardest part of building a technology company in Africa, and it may be the most overrated.

“When you want to build beyond the hype in the world that we live in today, you also have to build beyond Africa. So when you say what it takes to build technology companies that scale in Africa, that’s a very limiting title, because you should be thinking beyond Africa.”

For Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, who has co-founded Andela, Flutterwave, Moove and investment firm Future Africa, scale does not start with geography, pitch decks or capital. It starts with the biggest perspective most founders avoid. Companies that last are not built for locations. They are built for people.

“The most important thing any business needs is a unique understanding of its customers. Technology transcends more than geography, and it’s more adaptive to psychographics than it is to geography.”

This misunderstanding, he said, is why many founders begin by copying Silicon Valley playbooks rather than defining what technology can truly do for their customers.

“A lot of people start off trying to figure out what Silicon Valley is doing, and I’m going to just build the Nigerian version.”

That approach, he said, usually leads to companies that look successful on the surface and raise money, but it rarely builds companies that reach scale and serve millions.

“You can have a successful company, depending on how you measure success, by copying Silicon Valley, but in terms of scale, in terms of a product that goes deep into serving billions of customers, I’ve just never seen it work.”

The myth in African tech

Iyinoluwa Aboyeji repeatedly returned to what he described as the most damaging belief in the ecosystem. “The big myth that a lot of people have is that the most important thing you need for a startup is investment.”

Capital, he said, is not the foundation of scale. Customers are. “The most important thing any business needs is a unique understanding of their customer that is sufficiently differentiated from others, but comes from a place of real depth.”

He illustrated this with the origin of Moove, the mobility fintech he co-founded. The company started by addressing what seemed to be a Lagos problem, where drivers needed cars but could not afford to buy them.

“What we didn’t realise was psychographic about that was that the problem of drivers without cars is a global problem.”

The insight became clear once the team stopped viewing the issue as local. “You go to London, all those drivers don’t own the cars they’re driving. You go to Dubai, Germany. When you break out of your geographic and demographic barrier, and you start going into the psychographic world, you’re going to unlock products that are global by nature.”

Why product–market fit is rare

Asked how founders should think about product–market fit, Aboyeji dismissed the way the term is usually used. “You have to have an obsession with your customers. When I say obsession, I don’t mean it lightly.”

As an investor, he said his firm reviews thousands of pitch decks but stops only when something genuinely unfamiliar appears. “We only stop to look when we see something that we’ve not seen before.”

He used a portfolio company, Filmmaker Smart, as an example, whose founding idea went against the dominant thinking in Africa’s creative economy.

“Their core thesis was that nobody needs a movie studio. It’s too expensive and it doesn’t fit the way film is made in Africa.”

At the time, the idea sounded unreasonable. Today, the company is backed by IFC and Sony, generates six- and seven-figure revenues annually, and is used by major studios.

“Somebody who understands a customer understands how to reimagine a world that they need to live in.”

Teams fail before products do

On building teams, Aboyeji spoke about where many founders go wrong. “I see a lot of people spend a lot of equity and money hiring engineers that don’t actually know anything about their markets.”

Skill alone, he said, is not enough.

“If the person who’s actually going to be touching the product and building the product doesn’t have insight, you’re actually better off just using a contracting agency.”

What matters most, especially for co-founders, is commitment. “Passion is actually a Greek word that means something you’re willing to suffer for.”

He warned founders against carrying unwilling partners or begging co-founders to work. “If the moment you’re working with somebody who doesn’t feel a need to sacrifice, just know you’re alone.”

The cost of taking bold steps

Reflecting on his own “big bold step,” Iyinoluwa Aboyeji pointed to his decision to leave Andela at a time when the startup had Mark Zuckerberg as an investor and was already a large, successful business.

“I could have just stayed there, but I wouldn’t be a three-time founder if I didn’t make that move.”

The move to Flutterwave came with no safety net. “That entire first year there was no salary. I was borrowing money from my wife. That was my girlfriend.”

He described weekly flights between Lagos and San Francisco, sleeping on planes, and working across continents simply to keep the company alive.

Starting again, he said, has since become second nature.

On failure

Iyinoluwa Aboyeji addressed failure without trying to soften it. “The definite outcome of every startup is death.” What separates founders, he argued, is how they treat that reality. “There was a business that failed. It wasn’t you.”

He shared stories of early ventures that collapsed, near expulsion from university, and pivots that only worked after initial ideas failed. “Every company you see failed its way to becoming successful.”

The one thing founders must stop doing

During the rapid-fire round at the Conference, Aboyeji was asked what founders must stop doing if they want to succeed.

“Raising money.”

He explained why. “Because customers are how you get money. Capital is customers.” 

Partaining the future, his outlook was: “African talent will dominate artificial intelligence.”

“Stop copying, stop chasing investors, understand customers deeply, and accept failure as part of the work.”

The post “Stop Chasing Investors”: Iyinoluwa Aboyeji Tells African Founders What Actually Scales appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The two-day conference, themed “The Big Bold Step,” brought together telecoms operators, global technology firms, startups, investors, students and public-sector leaders at Landmark Event Centre to discuss what it will take for Africa to stop lagging and start building platforms of its own.

From keynote sessions to fireside chats and product showcases, the conference stressed that the limitations initially preventing African companies from competing at scale are fading away, but hesitation remains highly expensive.

Glory Olamigoke, co-founder and co-convener of Tech Revolution Africa, said the conference was designed to close a persistent gap in the ecosystem.

“We are trying to solve a number of problems and close a number of gaps, but perhaps the most critical one is bridging the gap between the early stage innovators, builders, founders in the ecosystem and the leaders in the space,” he said.

Unlike typical industry gatherings, Olamigoke said the event was intentionally structured to bring founders and decision-makers into the same room, while also extending its reach beyond established stakeholders.

“We are going all the way down to the secondary schools, the primary schools, because we believe that if we can start to culture these young ones, then we will be able to influence the next generation,” he said, pointing to the student tech debates introduced at this year’s edition.

That emphasis on long-term capacity building was reiterated through the day’s conversations, including a fireside chat with the Federal Government, represented by Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake.

Drawing from Nigeria’s reputation challenges abroad, Alake said that while technology is important, Africa’s potential cannot be realised without addressing surrounding challenges, including Nigeria’s image abroad.

“It’s not a technology conversation,” he said. “It’s a conversation that is at the very bottom of the motivation behind everything.”

He urged young professionals to engage the public sector rather than avoid it, describing the work as difficult but impactful. “By all means, do that, because you will have an impact, but make sure that your principles and your values remain strong,” he said.

MTN Nigeria’s keynote on the digital economy forecast for 2026, delivered by its Chief Information Officer, Shoyinka Shodunke, went beyond a focus on growth projections. 

Shodunke traced Africa’s marginal role across previous industrial revolutions and warned that the fourth leaves little room for delay.

“The inputs today are data, and where’s the factory? The factory sits in the cloud,” he said, adding that talent is no longer bound by geography and computing power no longer requires heavy capital outlay.

He pointed to cloud subscriptions available “at $50” compared to six-figure infrastructure costs in the past, arguing that scale is now accessible to startups and enterprises alike. But he warned that comfort with legacy revenue streams could still hold organisations back.

“You cannot live with a legacy mindset, a fear of disruption, or the comfort of mediocrity,” Shodunke said.

Using MTN as a case study, he explained how the telecoms giant has had to intentionally disrupt itself, moving beyond voice and data into cloud services, fintech and intelligent platforms layered on top of its network infrastructure.

The focus on infrastructure continued during MTN’s product showcase, where Onome Ologe and Tobechukwu Ajoku outlined the company’s local cloud services, emphasising data residency, naira-based pricing and predictable operating costs for Nigerian businesses.

“If you’re a CFO or a founder and you need to know cost accountability, you can go to sleep,” Ajoku said, noting that pricing remains stable regardless of foreign exchange volatility.

From infrastructure, the conversation at Tech Revolution Africa 2.0 moved into data and artificial intelligence during a presentation by Ligadata’s Mike Penner, who revealed the scale of its partnership with MTN Nigeria’s data operations.

“We now are running at 1.2 trillion pet records, 1.4 million records per second,” Penner said, describing a system designed to turn fragmented enterprise data into real-time, actionable intelligence.

“What we’ve done over the past few years at MTN together is something extraordinary,” he said, adding that the goal was not experimentation but measurable value creation.

Penner noted that African enterprises must treat data and knowledge as sovereign assets, warning against outsourcing intelligence without understanding what drives it.

That theme of sovereignty and control resurfaced during a panel on open innovation and hybrid platforms featuring executives from Red Hat and Redington. 

Speakers explained that open-source software and hybrid cloud models offer African companies flexibility without locking them into single platforms or geographies.

“Open source is driving innovation.” It is a condition of innovation, particularly for startups seeking speed without prohibitive expenses.

During a fireside chat on Global Tech & the African Market, Soji Maurice-Diya, CEO of ntel (NatCom), emphasized the need for Africa to focus on solving its own problems rather than simply chasing global trends.

He said, “Nobody’s going to solve our problems for us. Yes, we need global access, we need all the technology that’s available, taper all of the solutions and build our own solutions.”

Maurice-Diya added that African companies should prioritise innovation that addresses local challenges, ensuring technology creates measurable impact rather than just replicating global models.

Equinix’s Ayomide Jones, EMEA Business Development, West Africa, also spoke on the role of interconnection in Africa’s digital growth. She highlighted how networks, content and cloud providers work together to enhance modern businesses. 

“Everything we use nowadays to solve our problems is content. This is only possible because of interconnection,” Jones said. 

She explained that Equinix’s data centres in Lagos and across Africa enable startups and enterprises to connect to cloud services, financial systems, and global platforms without heavy upfront investment, creating the infrastructure that allows African businesses to scale quickly.

For all the talk of opportunity, speakers repeatedly returned to execution as the differentiator. “We always talk, so now, let’s go back and execute,” Olamigoke said.

Day Two of Tech Revolution Africa Conference 2.0 continues on Saturday, with further sessions on policy, investment, emerging technologies and the role of African enterprises in strengthening the continent’s digital economy.

The post Tech Revolution Africa 2.0: MTN, Experts Urge Continent to Harness Cloud, Data and Talent to Compete Globally appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Shoyinka Shodunke, chief information officer of MTN Nigeria, said this as he delivered the keynote on the digital economy forecast for 2026 at Tech Revolution Africa Conference 2.0 in Lagos, headlined by MTN. 

Speaking under the theme “The Big Bold Step,” Shodunke stressed that the fourth industrial revolution is the first moment in history where Africa can compete on equal terms, but only if it moves fast.

“The inputs today are data, and where’s the factory? The factory sits in the cloud,” he said.

During the first industrial revolution, the continent was absent. In the second, it supplied raw materials. In the third, it became a consumer of finished technology. Each delay came at a cost.

“We got punished for the first. Got punished for the second time. We got punished for the third,” he said. “But in the fourth, if we fail to act, we get punished again.”

What makes this era different, he explained, is that scale no longer depends on capital. With cloud services, access to talent from anywhere and locally generated data, the limitations are lower. Startups no longer need massive data centres or years of runway before launching products.

“You can subscribe to cloud services today at $50,” he said. “You don’t have to invest over $100,000 on compute power for you to be able to power your industry.”

Shodunke explained that the actual threat is not lack of technology but fear, fear of disrupting existing business models, revenue streams and comfortable ways of working. He warned that organisations clinging to legacy systems risk repeating Africa’s old mistakes.

“You cannot live with a legacy mindset, a fear of disruption, or with the comfort of mediocrity,” Shodunke further stated at the Tech Revolution Africa Conference 2.0. “Whatever is being built has to be built with a scale in mind, not mediocre.”

Using MTN as a case study, he described how the telecoms giant has had to intentionally disrupt itself, moving beyond voice and data into cloud services, fintech and intelligent platforms layered on top of its network infrastructure.

“History punished everyone who hesitated,” he warned. “So don’t really wait for the perfect time to come in, only take that big bold step.”

In closing, he stressed that the race has already started. Africa is not arriving late anymore, but hesitation could still leave it watching others disrupt.

“Revolution,” Shodunke said, “it punishes hesitations.”

The post Tech Revolution Africa 2.0: MTN Warns the 4th Industrial Revolution Will Punish Africa’s Hesitation appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

This sponsorship aims to enhance the visibility of Africa’s tech advancements, encourage stakeholder engagement, and contribute to a narrative that positions the continent as a global leader in digital innovation.

Scheduled for January 30–31, 2026, at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, Tech Revolution Africa 2.0, themed “The Big Bold Step“, will host 3,000 to 5,000 participants from 10+ countries.

The summit brings together a diverse array of founders, investors, policymakers, and innovators to delve into how AI, data, connectivity and digital infrastructure, payment innovations, improved investments, startup and talent growth are fueling Africa’s economic surge. Attendees can expect thought-provoking sessions that address pressing issues, including digital inclusion, sustainable tech adoption, and cross-sector collaboration, all aimed at unlocking the continent’s vast potential.

In its partnership capacity, Techeconomy will leverage its platform to deliver comprehensive event promotion, real-time reporting, and in-depth follow-up analyses, ensuring the summit’s key takeaways reach a broad international audience.

s a leading digital media outlet, Techeconomy specialises in delivering rigorous coverage of technology, business, and the digital economy.

With a global footprint including Nigeria, the US, UK, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, India, and Europe, it prides itself on truthful, accurate journalism that helps businesses, professionals, and leaders make informed decisions in a rapidly changing world. From analysing market trends to exploring policy implications, Techeconomy connects innovation with practical insights.

David Ogebe, Co-founder of Tech Revolution Africa, stated,

“Techeconomy’s partnership brings invaluable media expertise to Tech Revolution Africa 2.0”. “Their trusted voice in tech and business reporting will help broadcast the event’s innovations and impacts to audiences worldwide, extending the summit’s influence long after it concludes.”

Peter Oluka, the editor of Techeconomy, emphasised the alignment:

“Partnering with Tech Revolution Africa 2.0 aligns seamlessly with our mission to bridge innovation and insight. Africa’s digital story is one of resilience and opportunity, and we’re committed to telling it with depth and integrity. This event is a catalyst for meaningful change, and we’re excited to amplify its message.”

Glory Olamigoke, Co-founder of Tech Revolution Africa, noted:

“Partnerships with platforms like Techeconomy are essential for accelerating Africa’s tech narrative. It’s a collaboration that emphasises authenticity, ensuring our continent’s progress is documented and celebrated by those who understand its nuances.”

The event’s robust agenda features expert-led keynotes, panel debates, skill-building workshops, and strategic networking sessions, all designed to spark investments and partnerships.

Building on the momentum of prior gatherings that have influenced startup funding and regulatory frameworks, TRA 2.0 is positioned to set new benchmarks in Africa’s tech dialogue.

As the date approaches, excitement builds around explorations of AI’s role in efficiency, data’s power in decision-making, infrastructure’s foundation for connectivity, and payments’ evolution toward inclusivity.

This partnership reflects Techeconomy’s dedication to fostering ecosystems where information drives progress and solidifies Africa’s place in the global digital arena.

Tech Revolution Africa

Tech Revolution Africa, founded by David Ogede and Glory Olamigoke, is Africa’s foremost technology convergence hub. It unites stakeholders across the tech value chain to ignite discussions, build alliances, and realise the potential to advance the continent. Tech Revolution Africa 2.0 – The Big Bold Step promises a dynamic blend of inspiration and execution. Limited Tickets Available.

Join the Tech Revolution Africa 2.0 Conference Today.

Techeconomy

On the other hand, Techeconomy stands apart for its commitment to truth and accuracy, for the quality of its reportage of Technology – Business – Economy related events.

The platform offers its readers Content-as-a-Service (CaaS) by telling you what is new in Technology, Business and Economy; reflecting on why it matters, how it works and the benefits.

As we enter the final countdown to Tech Revolution Africa 2.0, tickets are moving quickly. Secure your place at this must-attend event and connect with the visionaries shaping Africa’s tomorrow.

Act now before spots fill. Visit techrevolutionafrica.org to buy your ticket and immerse yourself in the action.

Venue: Landmark Event Centre, Lagos

Date: January 30–31, 2026

Purchase Tickets Now: techrevolutionafrica.org

The post Techeconomy Joins Tech Revolution Africa 2.0 Conference as Media Partner appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.