General News
Is Ethiopia Africa’s sleeping fintech giant?
By Yohannes Tsehai – Country Manager Onafriq Ethiopia
The fintech sector has been one of Africa’s biggest technology success stories. According to one report, the continent’s 678 fintech startups raised more than US$2.7 billion between 2021 and August 2023. Additionally, almost all of the continent’s unicorns (startups valued at more than US$1 billion) are in the fintech sector.
The majority of that success has, however, come from the continent’s three biggest startup markets: South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria. In fact, 68% of African fintech startups come from these “big three” markets. But things are steadily changing. More and more countries are realising the benefits that come with an active fintech ecosystem, with a growing number of entrepreneurs in those countries also looking to enter the space.
One such country is Ethiopia. Home to more than 120 million people (making it the second most populous country in Africa), the country has many of the right ingredients to become Africa’s next big fintech giant. In addition to the country’s population size, it’s home to large numbers of unbanked people. At the same time, the country continues to experience high economic growth and rapidly increasing connectivity levels. With those and other enabling factors in place, could Ethiopia be Africa’s next big fintech giant?
A changing landscape
A few years ago, that’s not a question many would have dared to ask. More recently, however, several things have changed, which suggests that Ethiopia is waking up to, and embracing its fintech potential.
Take telco licensing, for example. Ethiopia has previously been closed off, with only the state-owned Ethio telecom allowed to operate. But Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sees the liberalisation of the country’s telecommunications sector as key to its economic future. As such, the country has opened up to other operators. In October 2022, Safaricom became Ethiopia’s second official operator.
In the ensuing months, it has built up a 4 million-strong customer base and added 1.2 million users to its M-Pesa mobile money platform. Over time, those numbers will continue to grow. And while the bidding process for a third telco license has had to be put on ice for the moment, Ethiopia’s strong economic growth means that it’s only a matter of time before one is granted.
Those telcos will play a critical role in establishing an Ethiopian fintech ecosystem too. Right now, the country has a 53.5% mobile penetration rate but mobile connections grew by nearly 18% between 2022 and 2023. With 75% of the country’s population reportedly unbanked, increasing connectivity levels is one of the most powerful ways of giving people access to financial products, both from telcos and third parties, as demonstrated by Ethio telecom’s mobile money app Telebirr having 39.3 million customers.
Another significant move is the establishment of an Ethiopian stock exchange. The exchange, which is set to open in 2024 or 2025, is designed to be a source of funding for the small and medium-sized companies that form the backbone of the country’s economy. For local fintechs looking to raise the capital they need to expand at scale, it could prove critical.
Developing supportive policies
The Ethiopian government has also made significant strides when it comes to developing policies that encourage the growth of a fintech ecosystem. One of the most significant such policies is the National Financial Inclusion Strategy.
According to a research paper published by the GSMA, the aim is to increase financial inclusion from 46% to 70% of all adults by 2025. One of the key avenues it’s identified for doing so is by scaling digital payments through mobile money services. The country additionally aims to increase the use of digital payments from 20% of all adults in 2020 to 49% by 2025.
These policies could be dramatically transformative for both the Ethiopian economy and its people. According to the GSMA, mobile money services “could lift 700,000 people out of poverty, add US$5.3 billion to Ethiopia’s GDP, increase tax revenue by US$300 million and provide a cushion for the economic shocks experienced by almost 40% of Ethiopian households.”
There is, admittedly, a long way to go before mobile money can drive those advancements. GSMA figures show that just 4.2% of adult women and 5.1% of adult men had mobile money accounts in 2022. That said, those numbers are significantly higher than the 0.1% and 0.6% who had accounts in 2017. This suggests that, as much as there’s significant room for mobile money growth in Ethiopia, there’s a sizable and growing appetite too with increasingly accessible outlets.
Putting policy into practice
For policy to be effective, however, it has to be matched with practices that encourage the growth of fintech. Here, too, there are encouraging signs from Ethiopia.
The government has, for instance, used the mobile banking service HelloCash to digitise social protection payments under the flagship Productive Safety Net Programme (PNSP). Additionally, it’s increasingly accepting digital payments for public services such as utilities and has mandated digital-only payments for fuel purchases. The Ministry of Trade, meanwhile, has adopted Ethio’s Telebirr services and now allows traders to pay for services like commercial registration, trade licences and trade name-related service fee payments.
In conjunction with the adoption of mobile money by government departments, its growing use by private sector players such as mid-sized brands like supermarkets, petrol stations, and SMEs should help further drive their adoption.
Growth beyond mobile money
Of course, there are still other things that need to be put in place before Ethiopia really starts to achieve its fintech potential. Reliable interoperability, for example, remains a challenge, as does a shortage of access points and a lack of high-quality agent networks.
None of those challenges are, however, insurmountable. And, given the success that’s already accompanied the adoption of mobile money, overcoming them will help unlock other services that enable digital financial inclusion which have commenced (such as insurance, micro-financing, and savings products).
As more and more of those solutions fall into place, Ethiopia will be well on its way to unlocking its potential and becoming Africa’s next fintech giant.
Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos has declared the N60 billion fine imposed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) on Facebook Nigeria Operations Limited Illegal.
Justice Bogoro stated that ARCON regulator exceeded its legal authority and breached the company’s constitutional right to a fair hearing.
He, who made the declaration while delivering judgment in Suit marked, FHC/L/CS/2205/2024, declared ARCON’s Notice of Violation/Demand for Compliance dated 21 October 2024, unconstitutional, unlawful, null, and void, and barred the agency from taking further steps to enforce it.
The judge also held that ARCON lacked the statutory power to impose fines for alleged criminal violations under the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act, 2022, without first obtaining a conviction from a court or other competent tribunal.
The dispute arose from ARCON’s claim that Facebook Nigeria displayed advertisements on Facebook and Instagram to Nigerian audiences without prior approval from the Advertising Standards Panel, contrary to provisions of the ARCON Act and the Nigerian Code of Advertising.
Following these alleged breaches, the regulator ordered the company to cease displaying the advertisements and imposed an N60 billion penalty.
Apparently dissatisfied with the development, Facebook Nigeria, through Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo (SAN), its lawyer, challenged the action, arguing that ARCON lacked the legal authority to determine criminal liability or impose punitive sanctions via an administrative notice without allowing the company to defend itself.
The company also argued that it does not own or operate Facebook or Instagram, claiming both platforms are owned and controlled by Meta Platforms Inc., a separate foreign entity.
But ARCON, represented by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), contended that Facebook Nigeria acts as Meta’s operation in Nigeria and should therefore be held responsible for regulatory violations related to advertisements on the platforms.
The regulator further argued that the notice was simply a compliance directive, allowing the company the option to comply, pay the specified violation fee, or face prosecution.
However, Justice Bogoro dismissed the regulator’s arguments.
The judge stated that Facebook Nigeria is a distinct legal entity from Meta Platforms Inc. and that ARCON failed to present credible evidence showing that the Nigerian company owns, operates, or controls Facebook or Instagram.
The court maintained that the argument that Facebook Nigeria represents Meta’s interests in Nigeria was insufficient to establish liability for the alleged advertising infractions.
Regarding fair hearing, the court ruled that ARCON violated Section 36 of the Constitution by accusing the company of misconduct and imposing a N60 billion fine without first hearing its defence.
Justice Bogoro also held that Section 57(4) of the ARCON Act explicitly requires the regulator to provide a fair hearing before imposing any penalty.
The court further found that the alleged violations were criminal because Section 34 of the ARCON Act designates the unlawful exposure of advertisements as an offence.
The judge also held that, since the Act stated that punishment can only be imposed “upon conviction,” ARCON had no authority to impose the N60 billion fine through an administrative process.
He insisted that, regardless of what ARCON called it, the demand was a fine that could only be imposed by a court following proper judicial procedures.
As a result, the court invalidated the Notice of Violation/Demand for Compliance.
It declared ARCON lacked authority to impose fines for breaches of Sections 34(3), 54, or other criminal provisions of the ARCON Act.
Justice Bogoro also issued a perpetual injunction preventing ARCON, its officers, agents, and associates from enforcing the October 21, 2024 notice against Facebook Nigeria.
Abia State has inaugurated of the country’s first Manufacturing Technology University Innovation Pod (Manu-Tech UniPod) at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU).
Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, minister of Education and Governor Alex Chioma Otti at the event
The inauguration marks a significant milestone in efforts to promote innovation, research commercialisation, and industrial development.
The landmark facility, established through a partnership between the federal government of Nigeria, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Abia State Government under the National Innovation and Digital Transformation Partnership Programme (NIDTPP), is designed to transform academic research into commercially viable products, foster entrepreneurship, promote industrial competitiveness and create sustainable jobs.
Representing Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, minister of Education, described the project as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, saying it reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning higher education as a catalyst for innovation, research commercialisation, entrepreneurship and job creation.
He stressed that Nigerian universities must evolve beyond conventional teaching and research to become centres for enterprise development, technology transfer and industrial competitiveness.
Speaking at the inauguration, Governor Alex Chioma Otti, declared that Abia is entering a new era where science, innovation and enterprise will power economic prosperity and position the state as Nigeria’s leading hub for manufacturing and technological advancement.
Delivering his keynote address titled “Science Meets Enterprise,” Governor Otti described the UniPod as a transformational investment that bridges the gap between academia and industry, noting that development flourishes through purposeful partnerships.
He said the decision of the Federal Government and the UNDP to site Nigeria’s first Manu-Tech UniPod in Abia reflects the confidence they have in the state’s enormous economic potential.
“The siting of the Manu-Tech UniPod in Abia speaks eloquently to the institutional faith the UNDP and the Federal Government of Nigeria have reposed in our dear State and the potential it holds as an engine of growth and economic prosperity in the region,” the Governor stated.
Governor Otti explained that the innovation facility will accelerate product development, industrial-scale manufacturing, renewable energy integration and entrepreneurship while equipping more than 500,000 students and researchers with technological and innovation skills over the coming years.
He expressed optimism that the project would unlock unprecedented opportunities for Aba’s renowned manufacturing ecosystem by improving product quality, branding, competitiveness and access to regional and global markets.
According to him, the UniPod will redirect research in tertiary institutions from theoretical publications to practical solutions capable of addressing everyday challenges in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and other productive sectors.
“The expectation is that research efforts henceforth will be directed at answering questions with practical, everyday applications,”
Governor Otti said, adding that improved research outcomes would reduce the mortality rate of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), strengthen investor confidence and stimulate sustainable economic growth across Abia and the South-East.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to innovation-driven development, stating that government fully supported the project because it aligns perfectly with its economic transformation agenda built on quality infrastructure, security, skilled manpower and strategic partnerships.
He also announced that the operationalisation of the UniPod would accelerate the implementation of other joint initiatives with the UNDP, including the expansion of the Jubilee Fellows Programme, the Aba Export Growth Lab, energy investment initiatives, industrial competitiveness programmes and the establishment of community innovation centres across the state.
Highlighting the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Governor Otti noted that businesses in Abia now have access to a market of over 1.4 billion consumers across Africa.
“The hour of big dreams and great ambitions has arrived. If we fully harness the potential of this Manu-Tech University Innovation Pod, our challenge will no longer be finding markets but building the capacity to serve customers across Africa and the world,” he declared.
In her remarks, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, United Nations assistant secretary-general and UNDP regional director for Africa, commenced her official mission to Nigeria with the inauguration of the facility, underscoring the importance of strategic partnerships in driving inclusive and sustainable development.
Also speaking, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, UNDP resident representative in Nigeria, described the UniPod as part of a broader national innovation ecosystem designed to connect education, research, enterprise and manufacturing while enabling universities to become drivers of economic growth and global competitiveness.
She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFund and the Abia State Government for their commitment to innovation-led development, while particularly praising Governor Otti for his vision of transforming Abia into Nigeria’s foremost manufacturing and industrial innovation hub.
Earlier, Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, vice-chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, described the inauguration as a defining moment in the institution’s history, saying the project fulfils the University’s mandate of deploying science, technology and innovation to advance agriculture, manufacturing and enterprise.
She expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Education, UNDP, TETFund and the Abia State Government for selecting MOUAU to host Nigeria’s first Manufacturing Technology University Innovation Pod.
The inauguration attracted top government officials, development partners, academia and industry stakeholders, including: Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, secretary to the State Government; Pastor Caleb Ajagba, chief of Staff to the Governor, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers and other dignitaries.
The Manu-Tech UniPod is expected to provide students, researchers and entrepreneurs with access to advanced manufacturing technologies, prototyping facilities, business incubation support and industry mentorship, enabling innovative ideas to be transformed into market-ready products and positioning Abia at the forefront of Nigeria’s industrial revolution.
General News
KPMG Urges Africa’s Most Innovative Tech Entrepreneurs to Enter the Global Tech Innovator 2026 Competition
KPMG Private Enterprise is inviting Africa’s most promising technology companies to apply for the KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator 2026 competition. This competition offers innovators the opportunity to represent the continent on the global stage in Lisbon, Portugal.
Now in its sixth year, the competition brings together some of the brightest minds in technology innovation. If you are ready to demonstrate how your technology can make a difference in the world, this could be your moment to challenge the status quo, introduce transformative solutions through your unique lens, and help shape the future.
Eligible businesses from the 13 One Africa member firm countries across Southern Africa, East Africa, and West Africa are encouraged to submit their applications before Sunday, 2 August 2026.
Participants will compete through national and regional rounds, with winners advancing to the global stage where they will pitch alongside some of the world’s most innovative technology companies. Applications will be assessed on innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, growth potential, customer focus, and risk awareness by a panel of industry experts from within and outside KPMG.
Sandeep Main, Partner, Tax & Regulatory Services and Africa Head of Private Enterprise, said, “Africa continues to produce remarkable entrepreneurs who are solving complex challenges through innovation and technology.
“The Global Tech Innovator competition provides these businesses with a unique opportunity to showcase their solutions, build valuable connections, and gain exposure to investors, industry leaders, and potential partners on a global stage.
“We encourage eligible startups and scaleups from across Africa to enter and demonstrate the incredible innovation emerging from our continent.”
Beyond the competition itself, finalists will gain valuable exposure to business leaders, investors, industry experts, and fellow innovators from around the world. The overall winner will earn the title of KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator 2026.
Applications are now open and close on 2 August 2026. To learn more about the competition, eligibility requirements, and how to apply, visit the KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator competition webpage.
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