Cape Town, 24 July 2025: As the world’s leading economies prepare to converge in Johannesburg for the 2025 G20 Summit in November, Africa stands uniquely poised – not just as a host, but as a voice for emerging markets. With one of the youngest populations on the planet and an accelerating trajectory of digital innovation, the continent is fertile ground for reimagining financial services. It also sits at a crossroads, burdened by deep digital divides and unemployment that, if not addressed with urgency and scale, could lock millions out of economic progress.
If ignored, this digital divide will see Africa excluded from the gains of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and beyond. With Africa’s population projected to exceed 1.7 billion by 2030 – most of them young and mobile-first – the stakes could not be higher.
Turning aspiration into action
I’ve had the privilege of working across many African markets – and while each has its own culture, language and landscape, one thing is constant: people are ready to build their futures, if they’re given the tools. That starts with meaningful digital access.
According to GSMA, nearly 800 million people in sub-Saharan Africa remain offline, with women and rural communities disproportionately excluded. If left unchecked, this exclusion will deepen inequalities and cut off millions from basic services, opportunities, and financial resilience.
At the same time, the energy and innovation on this continent are unmatched. There are more than 1000 fintech start-ups actively reshaping the financial landscape, with ecosystems in Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt and South Africa driving breakthrough models in lending, payments and microinsurance (Briter Bridges). Mobile money, in particular, has exploded – with over 781 million registered accounts by the end of 2023 (GSMA Mobile Money Report).
But we need to think bigger. To unlock inclusive growth, these solutions must be scaled beyond national borders. As the World Bank notes, nearly 230 million digital workers will be needed by 2030. Without coordinated action, we risk a digital economy that leaves too many behind.
Fintech partnerships and the power of ecosystems
One of the most exciting parts of my role is witnessing how partnerships across sectors – telcos, banks, startups, even informal savings groups – are transforming how people access and use financial services.
We’ve seen how USSD-powered platforms can bring microinsurance to low-income earners in Nigeria. In Rwanda, blockchain is helping farmers access credit and market data. In Ghana, digital tools are giving women-led SMEs better control over their financial lives (CGAP). These aren’t just pilot projects – they are blueprints for scalable, sustainable impact.
Globally, we’re also seeing smart examples worth adapting. India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has transformed access to low-cost payments. Vietnam’s regulatory sandboxes are accelerating innovation while keeping consumers protected.
The G20 has a strategic opportunity to back similar frameworks across Africa – from interoperable digital public infrastructure to regional innovation hubs and harmonised regulatory systems. According to the OECD, these enablers are critical to building inclusive, future-fit economies.
Building for a digital decade
We are entering a period where relevance in financial services will be defined not by size, but by how quickly we can adapt to people’s needs – in real time, across channels, and with empathy.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool in this shift. I’ve seen firsthand how AI can build entire businesses, revolutionise customer acquisiton and service, predict fraud propensity, and power the tools that translate complex financial concepts in local natural languages. But a sUNESCO and AFRIPOL have pointed out, we must ensure AI works for Africa – and is built with African data, voices, and values at its core.
This is where policy and investment must align. We need more African participation in global AI innovation, governance, better funding for local research, and stronger collaboration between universities, regulators, the public and the private sector. As Brookings recently noted, Africa’s AI opportunity is real – but we have to act now.
A call to the G20: Let’s bridge the gap – together
Technology isn’t a luxury in Africa – it’s a lifeline. It enables access to healthcare, insurance, pensions, savings, credit – and most importantly, dignity. But we can’t solve these challenges in silos.
The G20 nations must not view Africa as a development case study, but as a strategic digital partner. That means co-investing in digital public goods, enabling regulatory agility, and amplifying innovations born in the Global South.
At Sanlam, our commitment to this future is clear. As Africa’s largest non-banking financial services group, and a partner in this year’s G20 presidency, we are investing in building a more inclusive financial system – one powered by technology, made for African realities, and designed to scale with purpose.
The future won’t wait. Neither will Africa’s young population. It’s time to close the gap – but not with words; with decisive action.