African fintech firms are no longer just seeking global investment they're acquiring international players, reshaping payments, and putting the continent at the centre of global financial innovation.
Three years ago, Africa offered the world bold innovations and tech talent but lacked the financial muscle to scale its startups, making it largely dependent on foreign capital for growth.
Today, the continent is flipping the script as more African startups show they are no longer content with being acquired to access global markets.
Instead, several of them are now the acquirers, using their growing financial strength and deep understanding of their markets to expand beyond the continent and stake a claim in global tech hubs across Europe and the United States.
LemFi, a Nigerian-founded fintech company, recently acquired Pillar, a UK-based card issuer. This move is among the latest, unimaginable just a few years ago.