Aishah Ahmad Declarers Africa the “Future of Fintech” at Speedinvest Vienna Gathering

Global finance leader and the Soniya Asusu Nupe, Aishah N. Ahmad, CFA, OFR, has described African fintechs as the new vanguard of global innovation, stating that startups on the continent are no longer just solving local problems but are “building solutions for the world.”

Speaking recently at the Speedinvest Africa Breakfast in Vienna, Austria, Ahmad highlighted the maturing relationship between European capital and African innovation. The event, attended by venture capitalists (VC) and private equity (PE) leaders, underscored a shift in narrative from Africa as a risky frontier to a hub of scalable technology.

The Next Securitization Frontier

Ahmad noted that Africa is emerging as a critical frontier for securitization. She observed that despite having digital payment rails that compete comfortably with advanced markets, information asymmetry and trade finance gaps have kept African assets undervalued.

“Affordability and trust are unlocking new markets,” Ahmad stated, citing examples like MoPhones. She explained how alternative data and remote-lock technology are creating opportunities in Nigeria by making refurbished devices accessible to the mass market through creative underwriting.

Mobility and Asset Ownership

The former regulator also highlighted the rise of “mobility fintech” across cities like Lagos and Luanda. Founders are now helping underbanked drivers acquire income-generating assets by bundling credit, insurance, and training into single ecosystems, effectively rewriting the rules of asset ownership.

Navigating Regulation

Drawing from her extensive governance experience, Ahmad offered strategic advice to founders on navigating the regulatory landscape. She urged startups to:

• Scale early by proving product adoption locally.
• Engage regulators proactively rather than reactively.
• Tailor entry strategies to specific local market dynamics.

“In the end, regulation is both a risk and a credibility advantage—and balance matters,” she remarked.

Ahmad concluded by praising the growing flow of capital and talent between Austria and Africa, asserting that “Africa is not the frontier; it is the future of fintech.”