In this episode of Breaking Banks Africa, Matteo Rizzi sits down with Dr. Stanley Jacobs, President of Fintech Nigeria and VP for West Africa at the Africa Fintech Network. They explore Nigeria’s fintech evolution, the rise of unicorns, and the opportunities shaping Africa’s youthful, tech-savvy population. From ecosystem building and cross-border innovation to talent development and digital inclusion, Dr. Jacobs shares insights on harmonizing regulations, fostering financial literacy, and empowering the next generation of African digital natives. This conversation offers a front-row seat to Africa’s booming fintech landscape and the strategies driving inclusive, scalable growth across the continent.

In the last episode of 2025 of Breaking Banks Africa, Matteo Rizzi interviews Shirley Mburu, Director of Advisory at BFA Global, to reflect on impact, innovation, and financial inclusion across the continent. Based in Nairobi, Mburu shares her journey into development finance and explains BFA Global’s work as a development consulting and venture-building firm supporting underserved populations. The conversation explores the tension between impact and financial returns, particularly in African investment contexts where entrepreneurs often must build missing infrastructure alongside their core businesses. Mburu highlights stark differences between urban and rural inclusion, stressing the importance of trust, financial literacy, and context-appropriate solutions. She also discusses the risks of under-supported capital deployment and BFA Global’s approach of pairing funding with tailored technical assistance. Finally, the interview spotlights climate and green fintech initiatives such as the Africa Blue Wave and TECA programs, emphasizing resilience, job creation, and long-term livelihoods as critical priorities for Africa’s future.