Africa’s digital economy needs more than apps to scale

Africa's digital economy is not solely reliant on apps that connect users to services. It also hinges on the availability of reliable transport, location data, access to financing, and shared infrastructure that businesses can build upon. This perspective was emphasized during the "Beyond the App: Building the Infrastructure Behind Africa’s Everyday Economy" panel at Moonshot by TechCabal 2026.

Sanusi Adedamola, COO of Fez Delivery, echoed the sentiment: "The app is just the front-end." For companies operating in ride-hailing, delivery services, and electric mobility sectors, launching a product is merely the initial hurdle. They must also ensure vehicle availability, enable service providers to locate customers, and ascertain the economic viability of operating in each market.

This nuance is particularly significant in markets grappling with unreliable power supplies, inconsistent connectivity, fragmented logistics, and disconnected cross-border payment systems. These obstacles can escalate operating expenses, diminish service dependability, and complicate market expansion. Nigeria serves as a tangible illustration of these challenges.

Even in Lagos, Africa's premier commercial and technological hub, fluctuating internet connectivity persists, highlighting how a thriving market for digital services does not inherently guarantee businesses the reliable connectivity required to engage with and expand their customer base. Financing represents another barrier. Companies supplying vehicles to commercial riders must evaluate whether their assets can yield sufficient revenue to offset operational costs and loan repayments.

During the panel, Chinwe Adighighu, SVP/VP of Products at MAX, Africa's leading eco-friendly electric vehicle company, elucidated how data on riders' activity, daily earnings, maintenance expenses, and battery consumption can inform affordability decisions. Such operational insights also assist lenders in evaluating borrowers who may lack traditional banking records.

A 2024 World Bank research published in The World Bank Economic Review underscored that investments in roads and electricity stimulate activity in Africa's manufacturing and services sectors. A primary deliberation centered on whether companies should construct infrastructure independently or share the costs. Mapping streets and neighborhoods incurs substantial expenses, yet the resultant data can benefit multiple enterprises.

Similarly, shared charging and battery-swapping networks could enable electric mobility providers to circumvent the construction of segregated systems. Ultimately, Africa's digital economy will depend not only on the apps users download but also on the infrastructure that sustains them. A polished app holds little value if a delivery fails to reach its destination, a payment remains stuck, or a vehicle cannot locate a charging point.

The ultimate assessment lies in whether the infrastructure beneath the surface can transform digital convenience into an integral aspect of daily life.