Your Duka is a Data Goldmine: Why the Future of African SMEs Runs on Information, Not Just Cash
For decades, the rhythm of small business across Africa has been dictated by the flow of cash. From the bustling dukas of Nairobi to the market stalls of Ghana, success has been measured by the weight of the coin box at day’s end and the thickness of the wad of banknotes. This picture is not a minor feature of our economy; it is the main event. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the undisputed engine of our continent, accounting for around 90% of all businesses and creating the majority of employment opportunities. We have spent immense energy and innovation on digitizing that flow, making cash cashless. But in doing so, we've only solved half of the equation. We’ve focused on the transaction, but the real revolution lies in the information behind the transaction. The future of our continent’s entrepreneurial engine; its Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will be defined not by the currency they accept, but by the data they command. For too long, MSME owners...