Midweek Check-In: Not Every Time Launch, Sometimes Learn
Idea dey sweet, but when last did you learn 📚 something new for real? 😮💨
Shani, Dear Innovator👋
Bringing you new month greetings all the way from Zambia!
Rumour has it that some innovators are out here building and pitching their solutions on nothing but vibes, unstable Wi-Fi and “common sense”.
‘Everything na mindset’, we get it— and you definitely need the right one to survive 💪 as a solution provider in Africa, but your mindset alone won’t cut it.
Here’s why 👇
Stats show that Africa’s tech scene has an overall startup failure rate of 54%. If we’re being specific, it’s 61% in Nigeria, 73% in Ghana, 58% in Kenya; And honestly, the numbers aren’t get any better!
Many of these failures come down to poor market research, weak business models, and lack of execution skills.
It’s not that African founders aren’t brilliant. It’s just that too many are building blindly: no playbook, no structure, no mentorship, and no access to practical business or product education. Just vibes 🫠
Meanwhile, on the global scene 🌍 founders in the U.S., Europe, and Asia often start out with access to startup bootcamps, tech incubators, product design education, and pre-seed support systems.
When the people you’re meant to compete with have that kind of head start, “having the right mindset” alone is not enough. Not by a mile 😔 What you need is structured learning to back your bold ideas.
Without direction, you’re not building, you’re gambling.
- Source: We no fit lie give you
Not sure where to start? 📚 learning can look this:
Study the failed pilots/products of other Innovators who built under similar conditions
Join accelerator programs that are structured to your company’s needs
Shadow a competitor (👀 don’t copy them o)
Read newsletters like this one—hi! 👋🏾
You’re doing good, Dear Innovator, no doubt, but you can do better and you know it!
ICYMI…
Poor electricity is Innovation’s archnemesis. See what other African Innovators are doing about it 👇
First step? Recognise the problem!
💡Call For Next-Gen Innovators💡
Are you a university student?
Are you building something in tech? 😉
We’re on the lookout for student innovators and builders to feature in our newsletter.
Kindly fill this form and let’s help you tell your story to the world!
Tech News From Around The 🌍
AXIAN Telecom acquired an 8% minority stake in Jumia. Here are the deets.
One of Africa’s most successful founders has raised $9M for his new AI startup
Opportunities:
Africa’s fintech game is A+, but our logistics? It’s still playing catch-up.
On Saturday, we’ll unpack the infrastructure problem no one’s talking about and how some African Innovators are fixing it 💪
Be back soon! 👋
P.S.: Who knew the clocks ran slower over here? 😅 Sorry if you’re getting this late