Remita Payment Services Limited (RPSL) has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing Africa’s entrepreneurial future, as highlighted by Managing Director ‘Deremi Atanda during the Africa Startup Festival held at Victoria Island, Lagos, on 11th November 2023. At the heart of this commitment is the belief that budding entrepreneurs are crucial catalysts for advancing Africa’s development and establishing a sustainable business ecosystem.
The Africa Startup Festival, an annual convergence of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts, provides a platform to collaboratively explore the challenges, solutions, and opportunities within the African business environment. ‘Deremi Atanda participated in a panel session titled “Building Fintech Solutions: A Reality Check,” where he shared insights alongside fellow panelists, including Peace Obule, CEO of DebtRecuva; Ike Eze, Managing Partner at Beta Ventures; and David Adeleke, Africa Editor at Rest of the World.
During the panel discussion, ‘Deremi emphasised that successful startup launches require more than just innovation; entrepreneurs must possess a deliberate understanding of the business landscape and regulatory intricacies. He stressed the importance of entrepreneurs acquainting themselves with industry regulations and market dynamics as part of intentional groundwork for sustained success.
Peace Obule highlighted the significance of resilience in overcoming challenges, noting that persistence and tenacity are key elements beyond attracting investors. Ike Eze added that entrepreneurs must possess distinctive knowledge to create market value and differentiate themselves from competitors.
The event also featured notable participants such as Will Stevens, Consul General of the US Consulate in Lagos; Ized Uanikhehi, Founder and CEO of Zedi Africa; Napa Onwusah, AWS Startup Leader; Oyin Solebo, Managing Director of Techstars; Tage Kene Okafor, Lagos Reporter at TechCrunch; and Gbenga Omolokun, Managing Director of VDF Bank.
Will Stevens referenced a trend where over 80% of Nigerian startups choose incorporation in the United States, possibly influenced by factors like a robust investment ecosystem and global market exposure. Despite this trend, demographic projections indicate a significant working-age population in Africa by 2050, emphasizing the need for strategic planning to tap into the potential of this expanding workforce.
RPSL’s commitment to supporting startups was further underscored by ‘Deremi Atanda’s announcement of Remita’s strategic vision to establish a Startups Academy. This initiative comprises four key components: solutions, partnerships, consulting services, and capital, aimed at fostering growth and sustainability within the African tech ecosystem. ‘Deremi explained that the academy aligns with Remita’s midterm plan, focusing on providing aspiring entrepreneurs with practical skills essential for success in the dynamic business landscape.
The vision for the Startups Academy is to empower entrepreneurs through a comprehensive and intentional curriculum. In doing so, Remita aims not only to simplify financial processes but also to actively cultivate an enabling ecosystem for startups to flourish, contributing to Africa’s prosperity. More details about the Startups Academy can be found at Remita’s Startups Academy https://remita.net/startups.
As a prominent provider of electronic payment solutions, RPSL has consistently demonstrated its dedication to simplifying financial transactions and offering comprehensive financial solutions. Under the leadership of ‘Deremi Atanda, Remita continues to deliver state-of-the-art payment solutions to a diverse range of organizations across Nigeria and beyond, further solidifying its role in advancing Africa’s fintech landscape.