Session: Venture Acceleration using Strategic Partnerships
There are over 700 fintech startups in Africa, up to six of which have received recognition as unicorns. Fintechs in Africa, despite the economic slowdown, raised over $1.4b in 2022. There is no denying that the leap in financial access and inclusion rates in Africa has largely been driven by Fintechs. All of these have only been made possible because the fintech space is driven by partnerships. The connections between banks, payment processors, telecom firms, TechFins, as well as regulators in the ecosystem has produced an agile ecosystem with distinct strenghts within the value chain.
In today's world, it has become important, if not mandatory, that founders leapfrog the beginner's journey as competition becomes stiff. Leveraging partnerships, especially strategic partnerships is one method of achieving this. In developing your product and value proposition, a Founder must create their ecosystem and plan for alliances that can propel journey.
Bio
Tolulope is a senior business leader. She currently leads the legal, product compliance, risk management and expansion at Branch International. She has over a decade experience advising major technology companies and startups on digital financial products, new market entry, fund raising, partnerships, strategic acquisitions, regulatory strategy etc.
She is recognised as an “Exceptional Talent” in Digital Technology by the United Kingdom Tech Nation, an “Associate to Watch ” by Chambers and Partners Fintech Guide (2018-2019) as well as Top 40 under 40 Lawyers by the Nigerian ESQ Awards. She is currently the Secretary General of the Nigeria Fintech Association and serves as mentors to Accelerators and Innovation Hubs in Africa.
She also writes and speaks on Fintech and Banking related topics.