EasyEquities Blog

The Rise of Fintech in Africa

Written by TeamEasy | Sep 25, 2024 5:30:00 AM

Season 5 of Good Things Happen kicks off with a power-packed first episode, focusing on Fintech in Africa. Hosted by Jorian Murray, this episode brings together three trailblazers in the industry: Charles Savage, CEO of Purple Group; Bradley Wattrus, Co-founder of Yoco; and Keyuri Chibba, Head of Africa Digital FX Sales at Citi Markets.

Together, they share how they’re transforming the continent, each with a unique perspective on what it takes to not only survive but thrive in the world of African Fintech. 




A Revolution in Online Investing

Charles Savage opens the conversation by sharing the inspiring journey behind his online investment platform, which aims to make investing accessible to all South Africans. He dives into the challenges of the local investment scene, where traditional platforms have long been intimidating and exclusive. According to Savage, the key to democratizing investing lies in creating a seamless, user-friendly interface that invites everyone—from seasoned investors to first-timers—to confidently grow their wealth.


Savage’s drive is clear: South Africa’s investment landscape needs a shake-up, and his platform is doing just that by empowering everyday people to participate in markets that were previously out of reach.

Empowering Small Businesses
Next up, Bradley Wattrus, co-founder of Yoco, talks about the game-changing impact of bringing affordable and accessible point-of-sale systems to small businesses in South Africa. He emphasizes the importance of helping small business owners, many of whom operate in underserved markets, to bridge the gap between ambition and opportunity. Yoco's tools are giving these entrepreneurs the ability to accept card payments, scale their operations, and compete in a digitized economy.

But Wattrus doesn’t shy away from the challenges: “We need better infrastructure and clearer regulatory frameworks if we want to see Fintech continue to grow,” he explains. For him, the dream is to see African Fintech not just catching up but leading the way in innovation.



Foreign Exchange, Remittances, and Crypto
Rounding out the conversation, Keyuri Chibba brings her expertise in foreign exchange and the booming remittance and e-commerce sectors to the table. She discusses the role of digital FX in supporting African businesses that are increasingly global in scope. Chibba is optimistic about the rise of remittances as more Africans send money back home, which is vital to the economy.

She also touches on a hot topic: the potential of cryptocurrencies in Africa. With traditional banking systems still out of reach for many, crypto could provide a game-changing solution for cross-border transactions. However, she notes that before this can happen, regulatory clarity and solid infrastructure are essential.



The Future of Fintech in Africa: Opportunity Meets Challenge

As the episode wraps up, all three guests share their optimism for the future of African Fintech. They highlight the importance of fostering a strong startup culture, pushing for better infrastructure, and working with regulators to create an environment where innovation can flourish.

Africa’s Fintech ecosystem is poised for massive growth, but it won’t happen overnight. As Savage, Wattrus, and Chibba emphasize, collaboration and strategic development are key to unlocking the continent’s full potential.



Ready to invest in the future of Fintech in Africa?
As highlighted by the trailblazers in our latest episode, the growth of digital innovation is transforming the continent’s financial landscape. Now is your chance to build a portfolio that taps into this revolution with EasyAIBaskets!

Whether you’re new to investing or looking to diversify, create a portfolio that takes advantage of the booming Fintech sector and be part of the movement shaping tomorrow.