Jawabu Biashara: A Microfinance game-changer

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Jawabu Biashara: A Microfinance game-changer

Staff Writer - September 9, 2025

By Amos Wachira When it comes to trans-formative micro-lending, no one does...

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By Amos Wachira As we navigate an era of economic uncertainty and widening inequality, microfinance continues to stand as a beacon of hope for millions around the world. This issue of Business insights Africa Magazine delves into the transformative power of small-scale financial services, showcasing how access to credit, savings, and insurance can uplift individuals, families, and entire communities. Microfinance is more than just loans—it’s a tool for empowerment. For low-income entrepreneurs, especially women, a small loan can mean the difference between subsistence and self-sufficiency. It enables a seamstress to buy her own sewing machine, a farmer to purchase better seeds, or a street vendor to expand her inventory. These seemingly modest investments create ripple effects, fostering local economies and breaking cycles of poverty. In this edition, we highlight inspiring stories of borrowers who have turned microloans into thriving businesses, proving that financial inclusion is key to sustainable development. Yet, the microfinance sector is not without its challenges. High interest rates, over-indebtedness, and regulatory hurdles remain pressing concerns. Critics argue that some institutions prioritize profits over social impact, risking the very mission they were founded to serve. We examine these issues head-on, featuring Dr. Patrick Gthondu, chief Executive of Bimas Kenya on responsible lending practices and the evolving role of fintech in making microfinance more transparent and accessible. One of the most exciting developments in recent years is the fusion of microfinance with digital technology. Mobile banking, blockchain, and AI-driven credit scoring are revolutionizing how financial services reach the unbanked. In our cover story, we explore how fintech startups like SasaPay are bridging gaps left by traditional institutions, particularly in remote and underserved regions. These innovations are not just changing microfinance—they’re redefining financial inclusion altogether. As we look to the future, the potential for microfinance to drive social change has never been greater. Climate resilience loans, education financing, and health-related microinsurance are emerging as critical tools in addressing global challenges. We must continue to advocate for ethical practices, investor accountability, and policies that prioritize the underserved. At Business Insights Africa, we believe that finance, when wielded with purpose, can be a force for good. Whether you’re an investor, practitioner, or simply someone passionate about economic justice, we invite you to engage with these stories, share your insights, and join the conversation on how microfinance can build a more equitable world. Thank you for reading, and for being part of this mission. editor@businessinsights.africa

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Liquid C2, a business of Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader, has launched Africa’s first Partner Experience Centre powered by Google Cloud in Johannesburg, South Africa. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to empower partners and resellers to move beyond traditional distribution, providing the immersive, hands-on environment needed to architect and deploy cloud and AI solutions tailored specifically to African market needs. Through the Centre, partners will be onboarded to a structured journey that guides them in securing official Google Cloud accreditation and certification. Beyond technical training provided by both Liquid C2 and Google, the centre will also serve as a collaborative hub, allowing them to work alongside specialist engineers to architect bespoke solutions. Once finalised, these solutions will be brought to market through Liquid’s robust distribution network. This expansion not only opens new commercial avenues for partners but also acts as a catalyst for high-value job creation and the rapid maturation of Africa’s technology ecosystem. The Partner Experience Centre provides the partner and reseller ecosystem in Africa with direct access to enterprise-grade technologies such as Gemini Enterprise, and the "Gemini Playspace" for rapid AI experimentation. It also provides specialist expertise to prototype, test, and scale digital solutions in real-world environments. The centre is a testament to Liquid C2’s commitment to strengthening its role within the partner ecosystem in Africa, as it supports partners in overcoming infrastructure constraints, skills gaps, and complexity barriers that often slow digital transformation efforts across the continent. As demand for advanced digital capabilities grows, the Partner Experience Centre serves as an innovation hub where enterprises, startups, academic institutions, developers, and public-sector stakeholders can co-create locally-relevant solutions, fostering a sense of shared progress and community across Africa. The facility also provides industry-specific platforms tailored to sectors including financial services, healthcare, and retail. These platforms demonstrate how AI-enabled solutions can reduce operational risk, improve efficiency, enhance customer engagement, and unlock new growth opportunities across African markets. “At Cassava Technologies, we believe the future of Africa’s digital transformation will be shaped through strong ecosystems that combine global innovation with local infrastructure and expertise,” said Ziaad Suleman, Senior Vice President, Cassava Technologies and CEO, South Africa & Botswana. “The Partner Experience Centre powered by Google Cloud creates a practical environment where organisations can explore, test, and scale solutions that deliver real business value. By combining our infrastructure, expertise, and continental reach with Google Cloud’s advanced technologies, we are helping to democratise access to AI and cloud capabilities for enterprises across Africa.” “This is a pivotal moment in our commitment to Africa’s digital future,” said Tara Brady, President, Google Cloud EMEA. “The Partner Experience Centre is a testament to our belief in the power of a strong partner ecosystem. By combining our advanced AI capabilities, including our Gemini models, with Liquid C2’s localised expertise, we are not just building a facility; we are building a hub for innovation that will empower businesses, create jobs, and deliver the benefits of digital transformation to every corner of the continent.” The collaboration will focus on three core pillars of transformation: Accelerated Partner Enablement: The centre acts as a dedicated Proof-of-Concept (PoC) hub designed to dismantle historical market barriers. It provides localised training, hands-on technology interaction, and business support, leveraging Liquid’s capabilities to offer local currency billing and credit to manage financial complexity for resellers. AI and Technology Innovation: A primary focus is empowering partners to build and deploy advanced AI solutions. The facility features a dedicated "Gemini Playspace & AI Solutions" to certify technical staff, alongside integrated "Solutions Pods" where partners can demonstrate complete technology stacks to win complex enterprise bids. Economic Growth and Job Creation: The partnership is a direct investment in Africa’s tech workforce. By strategically broadening the partner network, the initiative will foster deep, localised expertise and act as a catalyst for new economic opportunities, creating a significant ripple effect of job creation for certified engineers and other tech professionals across the continent. As a business of Cassava Technologies, Liquid C2 has always been at the forefront of bringing cutting-edge digital technologies to African businesses, both directly and through its partner ecosystem. This first-of-its-kind Partner Experience Centre is yet another milestone that reflects the company’s commitment to partnerships that leverage its continental footprint to serve a broader base of organisations. Aligned with this, Cassava continues to expand digital inclusion across Africa through its integrated portfolio of connectivity, cloud, cyber security, and digital solutions, ensuring that a broad spectrum of organisations, regardless of size or sector, can access and benefit from advanced technologies, thereby enabling more inclusive participation in Africa’s digital economy.

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Incomedia (www.Incomedia.eu) is excited to announce its participation in Gitex Africa 2026, the leading trade fair for technology and innovation hosted in Marrakech, Morocco, from April 7th to 9th. The power of AI in a no-code webisite builder for businesses and entrepreneurs As Africa’s digital economy accelerates, and millions of small and medium-sized businesses are looking to go online, Italian software company Incomedia is taking the opportunity represented by Gitex to introduce WebSite X5 to African businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups. The tool is an all-in-one website and e-commerce builder designed to simplify and speed up the creation of online businesses. A key innovation is the integrated AI assistant MagicSite, which helps users generate complete and easily customizable websites through a simple conversation. Expanding WebSite X5 presence in Africa Within the last few years, Incomedia has been expanding its network in the African market such as Ivory Coast, Kenya, Niger or South Africa and contributed to the digital transformation in this area. Following this successful trend, Incomedia is actively expanding its presence across Africa and is looking to collaborate with local distributors, digital agencies, training centers and government institutions involved in digital transformation. Join Us at Gitex Africa 2026 “Digital access should not be complex or expensive”, says Federico Ranfagni, CEO of Incomedia. “Our goal is empowering African entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses online, unlocking new possibilities across the continent.” Visitors and partners can meet Incomedia at: GITEX Africa 2026 Hall 20 – Stand B-56 (Italian Area) The team will provide live demos and explore partnership opportunities across African markets.

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Tag: biashara

Jawabu Biashara: A Microfinance game-changer

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