A fantastic February for tech startups in Africa

From M&A and strategic minority investments to the opportunity in financial infrastructure to the race to onboard users to web3, here's what happened across the African startup ecosystem in Feb 2022 | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 2 years ago

The most exciting applications of crypto and blockchain in the African context

This week, leading practitioners & subject matter experts provide insight, commentary, & analysis on blockchain & cryptocurrency applications in Africa. | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 2 years ago

How offline agent networks are driving Africa's digital development

Agent networks are well known across Africa in the realm of digital financial services, but they're increasingly being used, beyond mobile money, as a last-mile channel for various digital businesses | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 2 years ago

Unicorns are becoming less rare globally and in Africa too

Africa now has five tech companies valued at over $1B, not including the "hidden unicorns." Here's a look at who they are and who's next up. | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 2 years ago

Why B2C e-commerce hasn't yet scaled in Africa

This week, select members of the Afridigest Thought Circle—an expert community of founders, investors, executives, and thinkers—provide insight, commentary, & analysis on e-commerce in Africa. | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago

Super apps in emerging markets: The Grab and Gojek playbook

Southeast Asia's Gojek & Grab have laid out a super app playbook to follow for ride-hailing startups in emerging markets | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago

Startups targeting Africa should start with a multi-country mindset

Most African markets are relatively small and many are highly uncertain necessitating geographic expansion; early recognition & preparation is paramount | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago

Should African entrepreneurs target affluent or low-income consumers?

A Harvard Business Review article suggests the road to entrepreneurial success in Africa goes through affluent consumers, but it's not particularly convincing. | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago

Innovators are shaping Africa’s ‘informal economy’

The opportunity to develop solutions for Africa’s informal sector remains large and certain entrepreneurs are thriving by serving this market. | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago

Demystifying venture opportunities across Africa

This article answers frequently asked questions about 'the hierarchy of venture opportunities in emerging markets,' a mental model for entrepreneurs and investors | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago

The best way to compete in Africa's fragmented markets is by deploying platforms

Market fragmentation in Africa is problematic for consumers and producers, but it presents myriad opportunities for savvy innovators to create & capture value using platform business models | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago

There's a king's ransom waiting for African businesses that create magic moments

Firms operating in sub-Saharan Africa have a tremendous opportunity to drive business results by competing primarily on customer experience leadership | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago

Blitzscaling in African markets: Opera's OPay optimizes its Nigeria operations

After some setbacks in sub-Saharan Africa, the Sino-owned super app changes its strategy | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago

Venture rounds in Africa in the first half of 2020

Africa has been increasingly attractive as a VC investment destination in recent years and the trend continues through H1 2020 | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago

A recap of startup fundraising activity across Africa last week

+Egyptian deals +Unicorn or popcorn +Designing companies & board meetings +3 awesome podcasts +Top phone brands in Africa +Essays, news, and reports | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago

How the 'Netflix of Africa' went from pioneer to powerhouse

Nigerian video streaming platform Iroko started as a Youtube channel, but it's now the largest digital player in Nollywood, Nigeria's multi-billion dollar movie industry | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago

Africa's most popular apps and the insights they reveal

Fascinating themes emerge from a study of the top Android apps in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago

Applying Maslow: The hierarchy of venture opportunities in emerging markets

Identifying the opportunities that entrepreneurs & investors in sub-Saharan Africa should target, using the work of psychologist Abraham Maslow | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago

Why super apps are proliferating across emerging markets

A new generation of Asian & African super apps are following the playbook WeChat originated | Continue reading


@afridigest.substack.com | 3 years ago