African leaders advocate smarter growth [Business Africa]

 

African business leaders, investors and innovators gathered in the French capital for the 6th edition of the Business Africa Forum, paving the way for ambitious discussions on trade, technology and investment across the continent.

Broadcasting live from the event, the Business Africa program captured a clear message from the summit: Africa is no longer waiting to be integrated into the global economy—it is building its own systems. One of the forum's most pressing themes was financial sovereignty.

For years, African entrepreneurs have faced barriers to accessing global payment platforms like PayPal , limiting their ability to expand internationally. In response, a new wave of local fintech companies is emerging to fill this gap.

Among them is DigiPay , a startup that focuses on creating independent payment infrastructures tailored to African markets. Speaking at the forum, DigiPay's founder and CEO, Gachlem Ngassaki-Zoni , explained that the company was born out of necessity.

African businesses, he pointed out, have long suffered from exclusion from global financial systems — forcing innovators to rethink the flow of money across the continent.

The concept of "financial sovereignty" is central to this approach. It involves creating payment systems that reduce dependence on foreign platforms, allowing African businesses to conduct transactions more freely and maintain greater control over their revenues.

However, challenges remain. Gaining trust, ensuring regulatory alignment, and enabling seamless cross-border transactions remain major obstacles for fintech players seeking to unify fragmented markets.

A pragmatic AI revolution in Africa

Beyond fintech, another transformation is quietly gaining ground: artificial intelligence .

Contrary to the often hype-driven narratives associated with Silicon Valley, AI adoption in Africa is driven by concrete needs. Entrepreneurs are using these tools to solve immediate problems: reducing operational costs, improving efficiency, and supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

From automating customer service to optimizing supply chains, AI is becoming a survival tool rather than a luxury — helping businesses stay competitive in increasingly constrained economic environments.

The rise of the "handshake economy" in real estate

Investment trends were also a focus of discussions, particularly in West African real estate markets.

In countries like Ivory Coast and Senegal , real estate continues to attract investors seeking higher returns than those generally available in Europe.

But success in these markets often depends on more than just capital.

The entrepreneurs at the forum emphasized the importance of what they call the "handshake economy" —a system based on trust, relationships, and local networks. In this environment, access to the right partners can transform modest investments into highly profitable projects.

While Europe offers a degree of stability, Africa's appeal lies in its growth potential — particularly for investors willing to operate in a relationship-based economic landscape.