NEXT176

💡 Did you know? Women entrepreneurs in Africa face a $42 billion funding gap, yet they reinvest 90% of their income back into their families and communities—driving long-term economic growth. Unlocking financial inclusion for women makes for smart business. Here's how: 🔹 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬: Women-led businesses are proven to drive higher returns. 🔹𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Access to credit and insurance enables long-term stability. 🔹𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡-𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬: Embedded finance and fintech innovations are bridging access gaps like never before. The numbers don’t lie—investing in women is investing in a stronger, more inclusive economy. #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction

Our Chief Ventures Officer, Tramayne Monaghan, joined the Old Mutual Women’s Network (OWN) for a powerful Accelerate Action lunch-hour experience with senior leaders from Old Mutual South Africa on #IWD2025. Having male representation in the conversation wasn’t just symbolic—it was essential. Gender equity isn’t just a women’s issue; it’s a collective responsibility. By fostering inclusive discussions, we create stronger allies, drive meaningful progress, and accelerate action toward a more equitable future. #AccelerateAction

Join us for an insightful discussion where product leaders from African tech companies share their experiences in developing AI-powered products, the unique challenges they faced, and the practical lessons learned. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e9SCkjgP Annu Augustine Gao Maribe, PhD Roger Norton Lize Monametsi

At NEXT176, we believe our impact as a business in the regions in which we operate will be measured by how we address societal issues, create opportunities for all, and transform people’s lives. #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction S'onqoba Vuba, Nonjabulo Zondi (MBA), Lee-Anne Lawrence, Shazia Vawda, Estelle Lubbe

Today’s discussions at the ACCESS Brunch, hosted by SASLI at Innovation City focused on bold leadership, meaningful partnerships, and actionable solutions for driving innovation in Africa. Our MD, Vuyo Mpako, joined the panel to share insights on the power of knowledge-sharing in shaping the continent’s future. But it wasn’t just about ideas—practical solutions emerged, emphasising the role of corporates, startups, and collaboration in making real change happen. His pearls of wisdom: ➨Most people don’t care about the underlying tech. They want to know how it benefits them. ➨Create something malleable or don’t even try. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing African innovators today? Let’s keep the conversation going.

Our Managing Director, Vuyo Mpako, has taken to the stage at the ACCESS Brunch to contribute insights on leadership and innovation strategies to impact Africa’s future. ❝The African continent offers a very different startup space to the US. The biggest difference is the role that corporates can play as partners, investors and collaborators.❞ His advice for young entrepreneurs? Get your hands dirty — ❝Knowledge and experience are things no one can take away from you.❞

How do we take on giants and drive innovation in Africa? 🌍 The conversations at today's ACCESS Brunch are all about bold leadership and the 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬. The event is hosted by SASLI | Susan and Andreas Struengmann Leadership Initiative in partnership with Innovation City Cape Town. We’re excited to hear from our Managing Director, Vuyo Mpako (Pr Eng), as he shares his insights on leadership and innovation, as well as 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 driving Africa’s future. 💡 With experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders in the room, we’re diving into how collaboration can drive 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 The conversation is just getting started- keep following for more insights from today's discussions. ✏️

At NEXT176, we believe that the best ideas don’t happen in isolation — they grow through collaboration. That’s why partnerships are at the heart of everything we do. We are unlocking embedded finance opportunities in 4 key industries – financial services, telecommunications, retail and automotive & technology — to drive new growth and innovation. Thus far, we’ve joined forces with Vodacom, Teba, Shoprite and SC Ventures. These are all companies where financial services, technology, and innovation intersect. Learn more about our strategic partnerships here: https://loom.ly/En6NZ

With over 60% of remittances being sent for healthcare purposes (as estimated by the World Bank), our Partnerships Lead, Martin van Heerden, recently spoke at the Old Mutual Africa Regions Strategy Masterclass on the adoption of remittance and the potential benefit for financial services. He unpacked how global money transfers play a vital role in financial inclusion and well-being and the opportunities for embedded capabilities in addressing this need.

[WATCH] Award-winning Vault22 (formerly 22seven) is forging a new era in wealth creation. Head of Wealth, Greg Flash, joins Kieno Kammies on the Innovate Africa podcast to unpack how Vault22 is making wealth a process, not a privilige. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/ePtiqeCD