By Oluwole Asalu
Across the globe, technology is shaping economies, societies, and nations. For Africa, this digital revolution is more than just a growth path; it is essential for survival. While many developed countries face shrinking populations, ageing workforces, and saturated markets, Africa benefits from its youth, creativity, and untapped potential. Nearly seventy percent of its population is under thirty, and Nigeria has an average age of just 16.9 years, making it one of the youngest countries on earth. The projected digital economy could reach seven hundred and twelve billion dollars by 2050, with artificial intelligence expected to contribute over one trillion dollars to the continent’s GDP by 2030. Africa has the demographics and the momentum to create a unique digital future.
To achieve this, the continent must move beyond only using foreign technologies. It should focus on developing solutions that directly address its realities. Often, imported tools for different contexts do not meet the specific needs of African societies. For example, an e-learning platform needing reliable broadband may fail in rural areas with patchy connectivity, while foreign health apps may overlook local languages or cultural aspects that help everyday users. If Africa continues to rely on others, it risks creating a form of digital colonialism that limits innovation and perpetuates dependency.
Homegrown Success Stories
The good news is that Africa has shown what is possible when innovation comes from within. Kenya’s M-Pesa revolutionised financial inclusion by enabling mobile payments for millions without bank access, growing to serve more than fifty million users. In Nigeria, LifeBank has digitised medical supply chains, connecting over three thousand hospitals to critical resources. Ghana’s Farmerline has empowered over two million farmers by providing access to inputs, training, and markets through platforms designed for the continent’s agricultural realities. These successes demonstrate that when Africans tackle African challenges, the outcomes are transformative.
Quomodo Systems Africa is built on this belief: Africa’s future lies in homegrown innovation rather than imported solutions. In our work with clients across key sectors, we have seen how digital platforms designed for local contexts outperform those adapted from elsewhere. Whether we help financial institutions reach the unbanked, enable small businesses to adopt affordable digital tools, or provide cyber resilience services against complex threats, our aim has always been to create solutions that unlock Africa’s potential.
The key areas where technology can drive significant change are clear. Agriculture, which employs most of Africa’s workforce, needs platforms that boost productivity, improve market access, and enhance resilience to climate shocks. Healthcare, with one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios in the world, can benefit from diagnostic AI, telemedicine solutions designed for low bandwidth, and digitised health records that enhance efficiency.
Regarding education with millions of out-of-school children and limited resources, we must use low-cost, offline digital platforms to bridge learning gaps. The fintech sector is already dynamic and must expand beyond payments to offer savings, credit, and insurance tailored for informal economies. Governance can also improve with local e-government systems that increase transparency, reduce bureaucracy, and strengthen trust in public institutions.
None of this can happen without intentional investment in talent, infrastructure, and supportive ecosystems. Africa’s youth is its greatest asset, but if they lack the necessary skills, they risk becoming a liability. That’s why Nigeria’s tech talent accelerator program, aimed at training three million people in digital skills, is important. However, this program also needs scale, continuity, and practical application to create job-ready professionals. At Quomodo, we believe that real transformation happens through applied learning. The ability to turn classroom knowledge into workplace solutions makes a graduate competitive globally. This is why we support initiatives that focus on mentorship, hands-on training, and industry-relevant curricula.
Moreover, without infrastructure, talent cannot succeed. Africa’s broadband penetration is only 37 percent, and Nigeria’s mobile internet penetration stands at 29 percent, around 58 million users. Yet, smartphone connections in Nigeria are expected to reach 230 million by 2030, showing both progress and potential. Reliable internet, affordable data, and stable electricity are essential for widespread digital participation. We believe the private sector should play a major role in supporting government efforts to fill these gaps, ensuring that no community is left behind in the digital shift.
The increase in startup funding across the continent indicates that investor confidence is rising. In the first five months of 2025, African startups raised more than one billion dollars, with Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa leading the way. Quomodo has seen firsthand how Nigeria’s Startup Act provides clarity, incentives, and structure for entrepreneurs. Yet, funding must extend beyond exciting fintechs to support innovators in health, agriculture, education, and green technology if we want balanced and inclusive growth.
Collaboration is equally important. Africa cannot create a digital future alone. Partnerships within the continent and with the global community will drive progress. However, this collaboration should not compromise sovereignty. Shared infrastructure, regional data standards, and continental efforts like the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy can foster integration without undermining national control. Structured engagement with the diaspora is also key. Africans living abroad possess valuable knowledge, capital, and networks that can accelerate innovation at home.
The Opportunity Ahead
By 2050, one in every four people on earth will be African. As developed countries face declining workforces, Africa’s young and vibrant population can become the workforce the world needs. More than 4.5 million tech jobs went unfilled globally in 2024. Africa has the numbers to fill this gap, but only if it develops the right skills, ecosystems, and confidence in its solutions. The continent’s digital economy is already valued at seventy-five billion dollars and is expected to grow to one hundred and eighty billion dollars in the coming years, with projections reaching seven hundred billion dollars by mid-century. These numbers are not just figures; they signal the vast opportunities ahead.
Africa does not need to copy Silicon Valley or Shenzhen to thrive. Our path to digital leadership lies in creating solutions for ourselves. At Quomodo Systems Africa, we are dedicated to this vision, developing solutions that tackle Africa’s unique challenges and enabling our people to contribute to global innovation. The future belongs to those who build, and Africa has the youth and creativity to define its own digital future. The time to act is now because any delay turns potential into lost chances. By crafting African solutions for African challenges, we can transform our continent and meaningfully address the world’s most pressing issues.
Oluwole Asalu is the CEO of Quomodo Systems Africa and a leading advocate for digital transformation and AI-readiness across Africa.