Marrakech, Morocco — At the recent GITEX Africa 2026 event, a panel discussion highlighted the significant gap between global startup models and the realities of the African market. The conversation, titled “Africa’s Tech Builders: Scaling Real Infrastructure for 2030,” underscored the challenges faced by African startups in scaling their operations across the continent. Haïle Amegashie, a senior investment associate, emphasized the importance of focusing on improving processes that affect local communities. “Technology is a factor to improve processes and the processes that are impacting the communities to solve the problem,” he.
Amegashie advised startups to prioritize solving real — world problems over adopting global trends like AI or blockchain without clear applications. Mark Kleyner, Co-CEO of Dream VC, noted that while Africa’s startup scene is growing, there is a lack of coordination between founders, investors, and corporate clients. He pointed out that many startups struggle to sell to enterprises, and vice versa, hindering their growth potential.
The panelists agreed that bridging the “infrastructure gap” requires more than just technical systems. It necessitates a focus on “human infrastructure,” emphasizing the need for a more robust ecosystem. Nader Abdelrazik, co-founder and CEO of MoneyHash, highlighted the lack of investments in Africa, suggesting that many African corporations lack the understanding and confidence to invest in their own markets.
The panelists also emphasized the importance of building an ecosystem that does not simply replicate models from Silicon Valley or Europe. Instead, they advocated for a focus on profitability and sustainability, emphasizing the need to develop local infrastructure and capital sources. Abdelrazik expressed optimism about the potential for growth in the coming years, provided that markets mature and investors gain confidence in the African market.
He suggested that a well — positioned ecosystem could capture significant opportunities in the next decade or so. The panel concluded by emphasizing the need for strong cooperation and financial infrastructure to support business expansion across Africa’s diverse markets.
Source: moroccoworldnews
Original author: Youssef Zemlaoui
