Fidelis Chiwara, Global Expansions and Payment Partnerships Lead for Southern Africa at Flutterwave, recently addressed business leaders and investors at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) during the Africa Tech 50 (AT50) Market Open. The panel discussion, titled “Africa’s Leading Private Companies: What Comes Next?”, focused on the future trajectory of the continent’s top private companies.
Chiwara noted that the discourse surrounding African technology has evolved significantly. The conversation has moved beyond merely discussing whether companies can scale, to how they can establish institutions that can endure over time.
He underscored Flutterwave’s extensive growth, highlighting its operations across more than 30 African markets and its crucial role in facilitating commerce throughout the continent.
Beyond just revenue, Chiwara emphasized that long-term growth necessitates a broader focus. He pointed to the critical importance of robust governance, stringent regulatory compliance, the cultivation of strong partnerships, and the development of comprehensive systems to support businesses operating across diverse markets.
Chiwara further stressed that Africa’s long-term economic opportunity lies in forging stronger connections between its various markets. He explained that businesses increasingly require infrastructure that enables seamless cross-border operations, allowing them to sell, receive payments, and function without the need to rebuild systems in every country.
He added that greater transparency and enhanced collaboration across the entire ecosystem will be instrumental in fostering Africa’s next generation of globally competitive companies. Looking ahead, Chiwara reaffirmed Flutterwave’s commitment to expanding beyond its core payment services.
The company aims to continue building the essential financial infrastructure that empowers businesses to grow throughout Africa. He concluded by calling for deeper collaboration between technology companies, financial institutions, and investors to collectively support the continent’s emerging businesses.
