https://en.sputniknews.africa/20260515/africas-banking-sector-hits-100-billion--heres-why-the-real-transformation-has-just-begun-1085758322.html
Africa’s Banking Sector Hits $100 Bln – Here’s Why the Real Transformation Has Just Begun
Africa’s Banking Sector Hits $100 Bln – Here’s Why the Real Transformation Has Just Begun
Sputnik Africa
African banking revenues have crossed a historic $100 billion mark, according to a new industry report. The milestone reflects rapid digital transformation... 15.05.2026, Sputnik Africa
2026-05-15T15:09+0200
2026-05-15T15:09+0200
2026-05-15T15:11+0200
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Africa’s Banking Sector Hits $100 Billion – Here’s Why the Real Transformation Has Just Begun
Sputnik Africa
African banking revenues have crossed a historic $100 billion mark, according to a new industry report. The milestone reflects rapid digital transformation, mobile money adoption, and expanding financial inclusion. But beyond the headline number lies a bigger opportunity: banking Africa’s 1.4 billion people on the continent’s own terms.
In a conversation with Global South Pole, Dr. Mandas Marikanda, a developmental economist and founder of a Zimbabwean women’s microfinance bank, sees the $100 billion milestone as both a validation of progress and a launchpad for something much bigger. She pointed out that Africa has 1.4 billion people, rapidly improving digital infrastructure, and proven local models—such as group lending and rural community banking, where repayment rates often exceed 95 percent. In her view, the continent now has a choice: continue with incremental gains or embrace an exponential mindset that fully includes women, youth, rural communities, and small businesses. She believes the potential is enormous, with African banks well positioned to lead a homegrown financial revolution.To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on Telegram.► You can also listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict, Overcast, and Mave Stream.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole
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podcasts, economy, africa, bank, african development bank (afdb), banking, women, women's empowerment, brics, brics plus, youth, west, zimbabwe, development, business, african continental free trade area (afcfta), pan-africanism, technology, finance, аудио
Africa’s Banking Sector Hits $100 Bln – Here’s Why the Real Transformation Has Just Begun
Aliyu Bello
Correspondent, Podcast Host
African banking revenues have crossed a historic $100 billion mark, according to a new industry report. The milestone reflects rapid digital transformation, mobile money adoption, and expanding financial inclusion. But beyond the headline number lies a bigger opportunity: banking Africa’s 1.4 billion people on the continent’s own terms.
In a conversation with Global South Pole, Dr. Mandas Marikanda, a developmental economist and founder of a Zimbabwean women’s microfinance bank, sees the $100 billion milestone as both a validation of progress and a launchpad for something much bigger. She pointed out that Africa has 1.4 billion people, rapidly improving digital infrastructure, and proven local models—such as group lending and rural community banking, where repayment rates often exceed 95 percent. In her view, the continent now has a choice: continue with incremental gains or embrace an exponential mindset that fully includes women, youth, rural communities, and small businesses. She believes the potential is enormous, with African banks well positioned to lead a homegrown financial revolution.
"We already have the rails, we have the capital. What we need is the willpower and the desire to just think differently. We've been educated not to be Western, but to be wiser Africans. And I'm proud to be one African woman who is wiser, who believe we make our money as they make their money. In our African countries, it's not okay to be rich on your own. Make a choice with others. And I think one of the things that we will make a difference by 2030 or 2031, Is that a lot of people are going to embrace the exponential way of thinking, not incremental way of thinking. So the choice for 2030 is exponential choice, choice to grow together and to leave no one behind. We can't let poverty reach the young generation that is coming through and the duty is on us," Dr. Marikanda explained.
To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the
Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by
Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole 
