UBA Business Series: Investors identify Africa’s next billion-dollar opportunities

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Panelists at the just concluded UBA Business Series have indicated that financial inclusion, the creative economy, sports, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the sectors most likely to produce Africa’s next billion-dollar companies.

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The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, hosted its quarterly business series, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, innovators and business leaders to explore how customer insights and technology is shaping Africa’s next generation of high-growth businesses.

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Held at the Bank’s corporate headquarters in Lagos under the theme, “Building for Africa’s Realities: Turning Consumer Feedback into Technology-Driven Solutions,” the event examined how African entrepreneurs are leveraging data, consumer behaviour and innovation to build scalable businesses tailored to the continent’s unique realities.

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The panelists agreed that businesses most likely to succeed will be those that remain deeply connected to the needs and behaviours of their customers.

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Moderated by media entrepreneur and founder, Adaora Mbelu, the conversation featured a panel comprising Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Chowdeck, Femi Aluko; acclaimed rapper and entrepreneur, M.I Abaga; and Venture Capitalist/ Co-founder of Octerra Capital, Ashim Egunjobi.

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Opening the conversation, Mbelu challenged entrepreneurs to pay closer attention to the realities around them.

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“Building is not reserved for the smartest person in the room. It is about being observant enough to understand people, behaviour and context. The greatest opportunities often emerge from paying attention to what others overlook.”

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Sharing the Chowdeck growth story, Aluko explained that some of the company’s biggest innovations emerged directly from analysing customer behaviour. He revealed that purchasing patterns within the platform inspired the creation of Chowstore, demonstrating how data can uncover entirely new business opportunities.

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Speaking on artificial intelligence, M.I Abaga described AI as a transformative opportunity for Africa’s creative industry rather than a threat. He noted that emerging technologies would enable African creators participate more competitively in the rapidly expanding global creative economy.

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He also observed that the digital era has fundamentally changed how audiences are reached, enabling creators to build direct relationships with their communities while creating demand for stronger financial and business support systems.

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Offering an investor’s perspective, Egunjobi emphasised that successful investing begins with backing resilient founders rather than impressive presentations.

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