Most successful small businesses in Africa: Profitable opportunities you can start and grow
Africa’s small business landscape is changing quickly. From digital services and agriculture to food processing and renewable energy, entrepreneurs across the continent are building businesses that solve everyday problems and create jobs. The opportunity is massive. Africa has the world’s youngest population, with more than 60% under 25, according to
Today Africa Weekly | July 13th – July 19th, 2026
Africa’s technology ecosystem is entering a new chapter. The conversation is no longer only about how many startups are launching or how much venture capital is being raised. The focus is shifting toward a more important question: which companies are building solutions strong enough to survive, scale, and transform African
Is “banking the unbanked” a cliché, or should Africa expect better?
For more than a decade, “banking the unbanked” has been one of the most repeated promises in African finance. It has appeared in fintech pitch decks, banking strategies, development programs, government policies, and investor presentations. The phrase once captured a genuine structural challenge. Millions of Africans lived far from bank
Why Africa’s GDP growth doesn’t translate into jobs
Across Africa, a confusing economic reality is unfolding. Many countries are recording positive GDP growth, attracting foreign investment, expanding digital economies, and launching ambitious industrial policies. Yet for millions of Africans entering the workforce every year, the economic progress visible in national statistics does not always translate into stable jobs,
Customer service for small businesses in Africa
A customer sends a message asking when an order will arrive. Nobody responds for six hours. When the business finally replies, the answer is vague, the customer has repeated the question three times, and trust has already disappeared. This may look like a small communication problem, but it is often
Why “Made in Aba” is still limited globally and what must change
Aba does not have a production problem. The southeastern Nigerian city has spent decades manufacturing shoes, garments, bags, belts and other consumer goods at a scale that has earned it comparisons with some of Asia’s busiest industrial clusters. What Aba has is a conversion problem. It has struggled to convert
Inside NALA’s Journey: From a Tanzanian mobile-money application to a cross-border remittance company
What started as a small Tanzanian startup trying to simplify mobile payments has grown into one of Africa’s most closely watched fintech companies, building a bridge between millions of people, financial institutions, and global payment networks. Behind the company’s rise is a story of experimentation, setbacks, reinvention, and a relentless
Payaza expands into Australia and New Zealand to strengthen cross-border payments
Nigerian fintech company Payaza has expanded its operations into Australia and New Zealand to strengthen its global cross-border payment network and support trade between emerging markets and international businesses. The expansion follows four months of regulatory work, with the company securing approvals required to provide payment services in both markets.
How African festivals are turning culture into economic power
The arrivals hall fills with travelers pulling oversized suitcases, garment bags, and camera equipment. Some are returning home from London, Toronto, New York, and Atlanta. Others are arriving for the first time, drawn by a calendar of concerts, street parties, art shows, food experiences and diaspora gatherings. Outside the airport,
Today Africa Weekly | July 6th – July 12th, 2026
Last week offered another reminder that Africa’s digital future will not be built only around consumer apps, flashy launches, or short-term growth stories. The strongest signals came from companies building deeper foundations: financial infrastructure, employment platforms, climate solutions, artificial intelligence, healthcare access, and connectivity. The investors paying attention are looking
