Category : Inside Africa

Article by: Solomon King (DBA | ED, Lagos Angel Network) He stood next to me at the Cascador pitch event last May in Lagos—Bayo, a founder I’d known for some time, still trying to raise capital. As we watched entrepreneurs just like him walk away with millions in debt and

Building a startup anywhere in the world is a gamble. But in Africa—where infrastructure gaps, limited funding, and unpredictable regulatory shifts collide—the challenge is magnified. Many startups launch with bold visions only to discover that their original business model won’t survive the realities of the market. That’s where the pivot

In African consumer markets, trust is everything. A small business can sell out its products in a local community simply because people trust the owner, while a flashy multinational with billboard campaigns might still struggle to gain traction. Unlike more mature markets, African buyers often prioritize trust, relationships, and reputation

Hiring your first employees is one of the biggest milestones for any entrepreneur. In Africa, this process comes with both exciting opportunities and unique challenges—from navigating different labor laws across countries to finding talent in fast-growing but often fragmented job markets. The entrepreneur’s guide to recruiting first employees in Africa

Nigeria’s tech industry has seen turbulent shifts over the last few years, from the pandemic-era boom to the recent economic crunch. The optimism that once attracted global venture capital into Nigerian startups has slowed, creating a more sober reality. Still, even in this climate, some roles are commanding eye-popping salaries

Across the continent, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the economy—accounting for up to 80% of jobs and contributing more than 40% of GDP in many countries. Yet, despite their significance, SMEs often face persistent challenges, including limited access to credit, inefficient operations, fragmented supply chains, and

Every entrepreneur remembers their first paying customers. Those first transactions mark more than just revenue; they represent validation that the product or service solves a real problem and that a market exists. Reaching the milestone of 1,000 customers, however, is even more significant. It shows that demand is consistent, systems

The availability of the internet and mobile technology allows anyone in Kenya with a smartphone or computer to access the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and start investing today. If you’re wondering how to buy shares online in Kenya, this guide will take you through the process step by step. From

Online financial trading has gradually gaining popularity in Kenya. Investors in Kenya now access a variety of available online trading platforms covering stocks, forex, CFDs, and cryptocurrencies. The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) has embraced e-trading, whereby people can buy and sell shares by using the apps/ websites of licensed brokers.

Launching a startup is one thing; growing it is another. For founders in Africa, the biggest test is not just coming up with a great idea but convincing people to actually use it. This process—customer acquisition—is what transforms a vision into a viable business. Without customers, there is no revenue,