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Mobile Money Growth Transforms Telecom Operators Across Africa

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Telecom companies across Africa are changing how they do business as mobile money services grow quickly, turning them into major providers of financial services and reshaping the continent’s digital economy.

This shift became clearer after Airtel Africa reported strong growth in its mobile money arm, Airtel Money, even as it delayed plans to list the business publicly until the second half of 2026.

Telecoms Move Beyond Calls and Data

For years, telecom operators focused mainly on voice calls and internet services. Now, many are using their large customer base and mobile networks to offer financial services.

Across Africa, telecom firms are becoming more like banks. They provide services such as money transfers, merchant payments, savings, remittances, and digital loans. This change is helping more people access financial services, especially in areas where traditional banks are limited.

Airtel Money Drives Revenue Growth

Airtel Money has grown far beyond simple transfers. It now supports a wide range of financial services, making it one of the fastest-growing parts of Airtel Africa’s business.

The company said its mobile money division now contributes more than 21 percent of total revenue, showing how important fintech has become to telecom earnings across the continent.

IPO Delay Amid Market Uncertainty

Although Airtel Africa had planned to list its fintech unit, the company postponed the move due to global economic uncertainty and market conditions.

Reports also point to rising energy and logistics costs linked to geopolitical tensions as factors behind the delay. Despite this, Airtel Africa maintains that Airtel Money remains central to its long-term strategy.

Analysts believe the platform could reach a multi-billion-dollar valuation if it is eventually listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Expanding Access to Financial Services

Telecom companies are using mobile wallets and agent networks to reach millions of unbanked people across Africa. This is especially important in regions where many people do not have access to traditional banking services.

By offering simple and accessible payment solutions, telecom operators are playing a growing role in improving financial inclusion.

Rising Competition in Nigeria’s Digital Payments Market

In Nigeria, the expansion of telecom-led financial services is expected to increase competition in the digital payments sector.

Operators are continuing to secure payment service bank licences and expand their mobile wallet services, putting them in direct competition with banks and fintech companies.

Challenges Could Slow Growth

Despite strong growth, experts warn that several challenges could affect the pace of expansion. These include regulatory issues, cybersecurity risks, infrastructure gaps, and service quality concerns.

The Nigerian government has already increased pressure on telecom operators, including MTN Nigeria and Airtel, to improve network performance or face sanctions.

A New Era for Africa’s Digital Economy

Industry analysts believe the growing link between telecoms and financial services will shape Africa’s digital economy in the coming years.

As mobile money continues to expand, telecom operators are expected to compete not only with each other but also with banks and fintech startups for control of the fast-growing digital payments market.

Nigerian Startup Jiji Expands Into Asia With Acquisition of Bangladesh’s Largest Classifieds Platform

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Nigerian-founded startup Jiji has acquired Bikroy, the largest online classifieds marketplace in Bangladesh, marking a rare example of an African technology company expanding into Asia through acquisition.

The deal is Jiji’s first major expansion outside Africa and comes slightly more than a year after the company entered the Bangladeshi market to compete directly with Bikroy.

Jiji Chief Executive Officer Anton Volianskyi did not reveal the financial value of the acquisition but said the transaction was funded through internal company resources and support from shareholders.

African Tech Firms Expanding Beyond the Continent

The acquisition highlights a growing shift in Africa’s technology industry. For years, most African startups focused mainly on expanding into neighbouring African markets. Jiji’s move into South Asia shows that some African tech companies are now confident enough to export business models developed in countries such as Nigeria and Kenya into other emerging markets around the world.

Founded in 2014, Jiji has become one of Africa’s biggest online classifieds platforms. The company operates in several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

According to the company, its platforms now attract more than 90 million users each year and process around $70 billion in annual gross merchandise value.

Growth Through Competition and Acquisitions

The Bangladesh deal follows a strategy Jiji has used repeatedly over the last six years. The company typically enters a market independently, competes with established players, and later acquires rivals to strengthen its position.

In 2019, Jiji acquired the African operations of OLX across several African countries after years of competition. In 2022, it also bought Tonaton, a Ghanaian classifieds platform owned by Saltside Technologies.

Bikroy was also owned by Saltside, making it the second Saltside platform acquired by Jiji within four years.

“This is a deliberate strategy,” Volianskyi said. “We enter organically to test the market, build a strong position, and then decide whether continued competition or consolidation will help us grow faster.”

Why Bangladesh Matters

Jiji launched operations in Bangladesh in March 2025 after identifying similarities between the country and several African markets where it already operates.

Bangladesh has a large young population, rising smartphone adoption, growing internet access and a rapidly expanding e-commerce sector. The country currently has more than 130 million internet users, while industry estimates suggest its e-commerce market could grow beyond $12 billion within the next few years.

The expansion also places Jiji in more direct competition with Daraz, the Alibaba-backed e-commerce company operating across South Asia. The company will also face increasing pressure from Chinese marketplaces such as Temu, which has been expanding aggressively across emerging markets.

For Jiji, Bangladesh offers a rare opportunity to scale quickly in a large digital marketplace outside Africa.

Bikroy Brand to Remain

Jiji said Bikroy will continue operating under its existing brand instead of being renamed.

“That kind of brand recognition and market leadership takes more than a decade to build,” Volianskyi explained.

Founded in 2012, Bikroy is one of Bangladesh’s most recognised online marketplaces, especially for property, vehicle and electronics listings. The platform has recorded more than 10 million app downloads and attracts around three million users every month.

Jiji plans to move Bikroy onto its own technology infrastructure while introducing advertising tools and seller services already used across its African platforms. The company also plans to increase marketing investment in Bangladesh to support future growth.

The acquisition reflects a wider change in global technology markets, where startups from emerging economies are no longer only protecting local markets from foreign competitors but are increasingly expanding internationally themselves.

For Africa’s startup ecosystem, Jiji’s move into Asia could become an important test of whether technology businesses built in Africa’s challenging markets can successfully compete on a global stage.

Amini, Foxconn and Bull Partner to Build Sovereign AI Infrastructure Across Africa

Amini has partnered with Foxconn and Bull to accelerate the rollout of sovereign artificial intelligence infrastructure across Africa and other emerging markets in the Global South.

The partnership aims to help governments, telecom operators, financial institutions and energy companies gain access to industrial-scale AI data centre infrastructure that can be owned, deployed and managed locally.

The agreement also marks Foxconn’s first major infrastructure programme focused specifically on African markets, with Amini acting as its strategic partner across Africa and other developing economies.

Expanding Local AI Infrastructure

Amini has built a growing reputation for developing local data and AI infrastructure across Africa, working with governments and businesses in several countries to improve domestic computing capacity.

Under the new partnership, Foxconn will provide advanced computing systems, AI servers and modular data centre technologies already used by major global technology companies. These systems will now be adapted for African markets and other Global South economies, taking into account local regulations, infrastructure realities and operating conditions.

Bull, a French government-owned technology company specialising in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence and quantum computing, will contribute systems integration expertise and support the development of regional AI ecosystems.

French President Emmanuel Macron described the partnership as part of a broader effort to strengthen technological sovereignty.

“This partnership between Amini, Bull and Foxconn is a perfect example of this common sovereignty story,” Macron said. “African, European and Taiwanese companies all face the challenge of reducing dependence on external technologies.”

Rising Demand for AI Across Africa

The partnership comes at a time when demand for AI-powered services is rising rapidly across Africa and other developing regions.

Africa’s digital economy is expected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, while the continent’s data centre market is projected to grow from $3.49 billion in 2024 to $6.81 billion by 2030.

Industry estimates also suggest that Africa’s AI and data infrastructure sector could generate between $20 billion and $30 billion in annual revenue by the end of the decade.

The companies said the partnership is designed to ensure more of the economic value created by AI services stays within local economies instead of flowing to foreign infrastructure providers.

Modular Systems Built for African Conditions

One major focus of the initiative is the deployment of modular AI data centres built specifically for markets where electricity supply can be unstable and large-scale infrastructure projects are often difficult to finance.

The systems can operate in variable power conditions and are designed to be deployed in less than 12 months. Institutions will also be able to expand infrastructure gradually as demand grows instead of investing heavily upfront.

The approach supports national data sovereignty goals by allowing countries and businesses to host data locally under domestic regulations.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Amini, Kate Kallot, said access to AI infrastructure is becoming essential for economic growth.

“AI is becoming foundational infrastructure for every economy, yet most of the world still lacks the computing capacity needed to participate on its own terms,” Kallot said.

Foxconn’s Head of AI and Quantum, Jesse Chao, added that Africa needs infrastructure designed specifically for its own realities rather than imported systems adapted from other markets.

The companies believe the partnership could help strengthen Africa’s position in the global AI economy while giving governments and businesses greater control over critical digital infrastructure.

Telecoming Launches Johannesburg Office to Expand Mobile Payment Services in Africa

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Spanish digital payments and monetisation company Telecoming has opened a new subsidiary in Johannesburg as part of its push to grow direct carrier billing and AI-powered digital payment services across Africa.

The new business, called DCB Software South Africa, officially launched on 11 May 2026. It will be led by Javier de Corral, who will oversee local operations, partnerships with telecom operators, and the development of digital products and online marketplaces for the South African market.

Telecoming, based in Madrid, specialises in helping telecom operators and digital platforms earn revenue through mobile payment systems. Its technology combines direct carrier billing, digital advertising tools, user acquisition services, and artificial intelligence designed to improve payment and conversion processes.

The Johannesburg office becomes Telecoming’s second African subsidiary after its earlier expansion into Algeria through DCB Software Dzayer.

The South African unit will focus on digital entertainment, mobile and web services, content distribution, and online marketplaces. These services will connect to local payment systems using direct carrier billing as the main payment method.

Direct carrier billing allows users to pay for digital products and services through their mobile phone bills or prepaid airtime instead of using bank cards. The payment method has become increasingly popular in African markets where many people still have limited access to credit cards and traditional banking services.

Chief Executive Officer of Telecoming, Cyrille Thivat, said the expansion forms part of the company’s wider international growth strategy.

“The launch of DCB Software South Africa marks a key milestone in our global expansion strategy,” Thivat said. “We are committed to investing in South Africa’s digital future and confident this new subsidiary will contribute to the broader digital and AI ecosystem.”

The move reflects growing interest among fintech and digital monetisation companies in Africa’s mobile economy. Rising smartphone usage, growth in digital entertainment, and increased demand for mobile-based payments are creating new opportunities for companies offering alternative payment solutions.

South Africa already has a strong direct carrier billing market supported by major telecom operators including Vodacom Group, MTN Group, and Cell C. The country’s established mobile infrastructure makes it an attractive market for companies looking to expand digital payment services across the continent.

Management Science in Africa: Why the Continent Must Own Its Digital Future

Management science in Africa is becoming a critical issue as experts argue that the continent must stop relying on imported ideas and begin building its own systems to manage technology, resources, and people.

Africa has strong human talent, natural resources, and cultural values. Yet, many of the systems used to manage institutions and measure performance still come from outside the continent. This gap raises concerns about whether current models truly fit Africa’s needs in a fast-changing digital world.

Management Science in Africa Faces a Mismatch with Imported Theories

A major concern in management science in Africa is the continued use of Agency theory, a model developed in Western economies. This theory assumes that managers cannot be trusted and must be closely monitored through strict controls.

Experts say this approach often clashes with African realities, where community values, shared responsibility, and trust play a bigger role. As a result, many organisations become over-controlled, slowing down projects and reducing innovation.

Stewardship Model Gains Attention

Many professionals now support Stewardship theory as a better fit for management science in Africa. This model is based on trust, shared goals, and long-term responsibility.

In African societies, leadership has traditionally been seen as a duty to protect resources for the community and future generations. Experts say this aligns well with modern needs such as sustainability and responsible technology use.

Technology Growth Requires New Management Science Approach

As artificial intelligence, data systems, and digital platforms expand, management science in Africa must evolve. Experts warn that simply adopting new technologies without changing how they are managed could increase dependence on foreign systems.

They argue that Africa must move beyond using technology to owning the frameworks that guide it, including decisions around data, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure.

Country Examples Show Different Paths

Across Africa, countries are showing how management science in Africa can shape outcomes:

  • Nigeria has strong fintech growth, but faces challenges with over-regulation
  • Kenya benefits from a more open system that supports innovation
  • Rwanda focuses on long-term planning and national digital strategies
  • Ghana maintains stable systems by treating digital tools as public assets

These examples show that trust-based systems often lead to better results.

Rethinking Capacity Building 

Experts say Africa must also rethink how skills are developed. Training should go beyond certificates and focus on leadership, ethics, and real-world experience.

This approach can help build stronger institutions and prepare professionals to manage both technology and long-term development goals.

Management Science Africa and the Future of Governance

The future of management science in Africa depends on balancing accountability with trust. Experts say accountability should not rely only on strict control but on transparency and shared responsibility.

Digital tools can help by making systems more open and traceable without limiting innovation.

A Call for Africa to Own Its Future

Experts agree that management science in Africa must be built around African values such as trust, community, and long-term thinking.

They argue that the continent’s digital future cannot rely on borrowed systems. Instead, Africa must create its own management models that support growth, innovation, and independence.

MAX Secures $8 Million to Expand Electric Mobility Across Africa

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MAX secures $8 million in new funding to grow its electric vehicle operations and expand clean transport solutions across Africa.

Metro Africa Xpress (MAX), a Nigerian electric mobility and fintech platform, received the funding from Triple Jump, marking a key step in its growth journey.

$8 Million to Scale EV Operations

The investment shows rising confidence in MAX’s business model as MAX secures $8 million to strengthen its electric mobility ecosystem.

Triple Jump, known for supporting clean energy and financial inclusion projects in emerging markets, becomes one of MAX’s first international institutional lenders. The deal highlights growing interest in Africa’s sustainable transport sector.

Expansion Plans After MAX Secures $8 Million

With this funding, MAX tend to expand its electric vehicle fleet, build more battery swap stations, and improve its financing platform.

The company’s Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) system allows commercial drivers—called “Champions”—to access vehicles with flexible payment plans, helping reduce upfront costs and making electric mobility more accessible.

MAX Business Model Gains Investor Confidence

The reason MAX secures $8 million is tied to its integrated approach. The company combines electric vehicles designed for African roads, battery swapping systems to solve charging challenges, and technology tools to manage fleets efficiently.

It also provides financing options for drivers who may not have access to traditional loans.

Regional Growth Strategy for MAX

Operating in Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon, MAX is using Nigeria as its main base. The company plans to deepen its presence in these markets while expanding further across the continent.

The deal was arranged by Verdant IMAP, which supported the transaction process.

Outlook After MAX Secures $8 Million

The funding sets the stage for more investment as demand for clean and affordable transport grows in Africa. With this investment, the company is positioning itself to play a larger role in the continent’s shift toward electric mobility.

Morocco Fintech Landscape 2026: Growth and Challenges

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Morocco fintech landscape 2026 shows a country moving beyond simple adoption of digital finance toward building its own model for economic growth and innovation.

Morocco has long been known for steady reforms and a diversified economy. While it is not the largest market in North Africa, it has built strong systems in banking, industry, and trade. Today, the Morocco fintech landscape 2026 reflects a more structured and ambitious push toward digital transformation.

Morocco Fintech Landscape 2026 Driven by Strong Economic Base

Morocco’s economy is supported by sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, tourism, and services. Casablanca remains the country’s financial centre, with Casablanca Finance City connecting Africa, Europe, and global markets.

Major banks like Attijariwafa Bank continue to play a key role in supporting financial innovation. Despite progress, Morocco’s GDP per capita remains just above $4,000, showing there is still room for growth.

Growing Startups Shape Morocco Fintech Landscape 2026

The Moroccan fintech landscape includes between 40 and 95 active fintech companies, depending on how the market is measured. These companies operate across payments, lending, digital banking, and financial technology services.

Examples include OnePayMeilleurCreditImmo, and SYPEX.

This shows a growing and more diverse fintech ecosystem compared to previous years.

Government Strategy Boosts Morocco Fintech Landscape 2026

The Morocco fintech landscape 2026 is strongly linked to the government’s Digital Morocco 2030 strategy. The plan aims to expand digital services, support startups, and improve financial inclusion.

The government targets creating 1,000 startups in the short term and up to 3,000 by 2030, showing a long-term commitment to digital growth.

Regulation and Innovation Support Fintech Growth

Bank Al-Maghrib is leading efforts to modernise the financial system. It is working on new laws for crypto-assets and exploring a central bank digital currency with support from global institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Payment innovation is also growing through partnerships, including collaborations with Mastercard to improve digital payments and financial inclusion.

Financial Inclusion Remains a Key Challenge

The Moroccan fintech landscape shows progress in financial inclusion. About 58% of adults had a bank account by the end of 2024, up from 54% the previous year.

However, gaps remain, especially in rural areas and among women. Expanding access and ensuring people actively use digital financial services remain key priorities.

Ecosystem Support Strengthens Morocco’s Fintech

The launch of the Morocco Fintech Centre has helped organise the sector. It provides mentorship, funding support, and regulatory guidance to startups.

Other companies gaining attention include PayTicAgenz, and Chari, showing continued innovation.

Morocco Fintech Landscape Expands into AI and Digital Economy

Morocco is also investing in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, aiming to add $10 billion to its economy by 2030. This aligns with its broader plan to become a regional digital hub.

The Moroccan fintech landscape reflects a country trying to combine strong institutions, digital growth, and global connectivity.

Outlook for Morocco Fintech Landscape 2026

Morocco’s fintech sector is moving from early growth to a more structured and mature stage. The next phase will depend on increasing financial inclusion, expanding everyday use of digital payments, and turning policy plans into real impact across the country.

Redtech FT Africa Fastest Growing Companies Ranking Highlights Fintech Growth

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Redtech FT Africa Fastest Growing Companies ranking has placed the Tony Elumelu-backed firm among the continent’s top performers, marking a major milestone for the African payment infrastructure company.

Redtech, backed by Heirs Holdings and supported by Tony Elumelu, ranked 32nd out of 130 companies in the 2026 list published by the Financial Times in partnership with Statista. The company also made the top 15 fastest-growing fintech firms in Africa in its first appearance.

Redtech FT Africa Companies Ranking Validates Growth

The Redtech FT Africa Fastest Growing Companies ranking is based on revenue growth between 2021 and 2024. Companies were assessed using compound annual growth rate and had to meet strict requirements, including minimum revenue levels and independent growth.

Redtech’s inclusion confirms its rapid expansion as a key player in Africa’s payment infrastructure space.

RedPay Drives Redtech FT Africa Success

A major driver behind the Redtech FT Africa Fastest Growing Companies ranking is its platform, RedPay. The system helps businesses manage payments across both physical and digital channels.

Through RedPay, companies can collect, process, confirm, and manage funds using secure and scalable technology designed for African markets.

Partnerships Strengthen Redtech FT Africa Companies Position

Redtech recently formed a partnership with MTN and United Bank for Africa to expand cardless payment options in Nigeria.

According to Tony Elumelu, this kind of investment shows how African businesses can grow by building solutions tailored to local needs. He described Redtech’s progress as an example of “Africapitalism,” where businesses create both profit and broader economic value.

Strong Numbers Behind Redtech FT Africa Fastest Growing Companies

The company’s performance supports its position in the Redtech FT Africa Fastest Growing Companies ranking:

  • Total transactions processed reached $27 billion, up from $8.9 billion in 2024
  • Over 55,000 RedPay POS terminals deployed across Nigeria within 16 months
  • Payment services expanded to five West African countries, including Benin and Senegal

These figures show rapid growth in both scale and market reach.

Expansion Plans After Recognition

Redtech operates under licences from the Central Bank of Nigeria and has approvals from the Nigerian Communications Commission.

Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its payment infrastructure into up to 29 African countries. CEO Emmanuel Ojo said the focus is on building reliable systems that help businesses grow and serve customers better.

Heirs Insurance Launches Nigeria’s First Multi-Language AI Insurance Assistant

Heirs Insurance Group has launched a new generative artificial intelligence assistant called Prince AI, becoming the first insurance company in Nigeria to introduce a multi-language AI assistant for customer service and insurance support.

The company said the launch is part of its wider digital transformation efforts and its mission to make insurance easier, more accessible, and more inclusive for Nigerians.

The announcement comes as Heirs Insurance Group approaches its fifth anniversary, marking five years of expanding its services through technology and customer-focused innovation.

Prince AI is designed to answer customer questions instantly and provide guidance on insurance products and services. In addition to helping customers understand Heirs Insurance policies, the assistant can also respond to general insurance-related questions, helping users learn about coverage options and choose policies that fit their needs.

One of the key features of the AI assistant is its support for multiple languages. Prince AI can communicate in English, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and several other languages. The company says this is aimed at reducing language barriers and helping more people access insurance services comfortably in their preferred language.

The AI assistant also allows customers to buy and renew insurance policies, start insurance claims, and track the progress of those claims. Customers can access Prince AI through WhatsApp, the SimpleLife Mobile App, and the Heirs Insurance website.

Peace Okhianmhense-Philips, Chief Digital Officer of Heirs Insurance Group, described the launch as an important step in the company’s digital growth.

According to her, the company is using generative AI not only to improve speed and efficiency but also to create a more personal and accessible customer experience. She added that the technology will help the company better understand customer needs and provide faster support.

Heirs Insurance explained that Prince AI uses adaptive intelligence, meaning the system improves over time through customer interactions. The company also said human representatives will continue to work alongside the AI assistant to provide expert guidance whenever customers need more detailed support.

Heirs Holdings, the parent company of Heirs Insurance Group, has investments in 24 countries across four continents. The insurance group includes Heirs General Insurance Limited, Heirs Life Assurance Limited, and Heirs Insurance Brokers, serving both businesses and individual customers throughout Nigeria.

The company says the launch of Prince AI reflects its broader goal of promoting financial inclusion and expanding digital insurance access across the country.

Ghana Pushes Deeper Into AI Leadership With New One Vecta Summit Partnership

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Samuel Nartey George, Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, has held talks with AlphaVecta Technologies Limited about a new partnership for the One Vecta Summit 2026, which is expected to take place in September in Accra.

The meeting included a delegation led by AlphaVecta Chief Executive Officer Carlos Amoako. During the discussions, the company formally asked George to serve as chair and continental patron of the summit.

Organisers say the event will bring together government ministers, regulators, investors, and technology leaders from across Africa. The summit is expected to focus on artificial intelligence adoption, digital transformation, and cooperation between African countries on technology policy and innovation.

During the talks, George stressed that Ghana wants to move beyond simply hosting AI discussions and instead become a country that builds the systems needed to support AI development. He revealed that Ghana’s Cabinet has approved a $250 million investment for a national AI compute centre.

According to the minister, the centre will support AI research, development, and deployment in important sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and financial services. The facility is also expected to support neighbouring countries in the region.

George also highlighted Ghana’s growing role in technology diplomacy across Africa. He pointed to ongoing discussions with Zambia and Malawi to export digital systems, including national identity technology.

He instructed technical teams to continue discussions with AlphaVecta in areas connected to Ghana’s national priorities, including healthcare, education, financial inclusion, e-governance, and digital infrastructure.

The One Vecta Summit follows earlier AI events organised by AlphaVecta in Ghana. In September 2025, the company partnered with the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation to host the first Pan African AI Summit in Accra.

That summit attracted around 1,000 participants and more than 43 speakers from over 30 countries. It also led to the announcement of a $1 billion Ghana-United Arab Emirates Innovation and Technology Hub planned for construction in Ningo Prampram.

Africa’s AI industry is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. The market is projected to increase from $4.51 billion in 2025 to $16.53 billion by 2030, driven by an annual growth rate of 27.42 percent.

Carlos Amoako said the One Vecta Summit will focus on turning AI discussions into real action. According to him, the event aims to deliver practical outcomes such as investment partnerships, regulatory frameworks, and clear plans for deploying AI technologies across Africa.