Why Technology Alone Isn’t Enough to Win in Africa

To build anything that truly lasts in Africa, technology alone isn’t enough. This is a truth that continues to echo across the continent. The real breakthroughs are those that touch lives and transform communities, the ones that address deep, human needs. As Joshua O. Ivie aptly puts it, “To win in Africa, you must solve social problems not just technological ones.”

Across the continent, innovation thrives not just because an idea is brilliant, but because it fits into the rhythm of everyday life. Decisions here are influenced by a mix of tradition, lived experiences, and the intricate realities of our social environment. Some products, despite being well-designed and well-funded, never quite take off. Not because they weren’t needed, but because they didn’t speak to the heart of a shared struggle or reflect the nuances of local life.

In many cases, yes, technology can be a solution. But it can’t always lead the way. Our communities often require a shift in behavior, mindset, or culture before they can fully embrace a tech-first approach. Sometimes, what’s needed most isn’t the tool itself, but the trust, education, or ecosystem that makes that tool meaningful.

This is why, if you look closely at the startups making waves across Africa, many of them are tackling everyday social realities, how we move, how we spend, how we save and grow our money. Finance, in particular, continues to be one of Africa’s most pressing social challenges. And it’s one that lends itself well to innovation. Fintech solutions aren’t just digital conveniences; they’re lifelines for the unbanked, tools for empowerment, and gateways to financial inclusion.

But even within this promise, Africa reminds us that it is vast and varied. What works in one country or even in one city may not work in another. The social context in Accra is not identical to that of Nairobi or Dakar. This diversity makes scaling more complex, but it also keeps us grounded. It challenges innovators to be more attentive, more adaptive, and above all, more human in their approach.

At the heart of African entrepreneurship is a simple but profound truth: we are problem-solvers. Whether we’re building products, platforms, or ecosystems, we are responding to something real, something lived. We are either addressing the social problems ourselves or creating tools that empower others to do so.

This mindset is not just useful, it’s necessary. Africa isn’t just a continent on the rise; it’s a continent in motion. With over 1.5 billion people expected to join our population in the next 30 years, the scale of both challenge and opportunity is immense. We don’t just need innovation, we need innovation with soul, grounded in the communities it aims to serve.

As Ivie reminds us, the future belongs to those who understand that in Africa, the most powerful solutions are those that touch people first, and technology second.