African agriculture continues to be top of mind for the Goodwell team, and the last month has been full of positive signals, from Ghana to South Africa. But we haven’t lost sight of our other core investment themes and are curious to see how Nigeria’s fintech developments will translate into concrete financial inclusion. Here’s a look at what we’ve been discussing in the (virtual) office over the past month:
Local African capital for local solutions
We’ve read and spoken a lot about the importance of African capital investing in Africa, and as 2026 progresses, there is real headway being made. Bloomberg’s second edition of African Startups to Watch showcases 25 companies solving problems and creating impact on the continent. We were proud to see one of Goodwell’s portfolio companies, Complete Farmer, featured on the list, highlighted for its use of agritech to enable traceability, quality assurance, and market access for farmers.
Bloomberg also notes that African investors are behind almost half of the funding raised by the featured businesses; local capital is increasingly fuelling local innovation. As uncertainty increases across the globe, a local-for-local approach makes increasing sense to investors. Could this mark the start of a crucial long-term shift in the continent’s fundraising landscape?
Removing cross-border barriers to impactful development
Business growth in Africa is often hampered by the structural barriers to doing business across borders. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to reduce some of these challenges, such as working towards easier movement across borders to ensure safer and more regular migration pathways for workers, while boosting regional trade and sustainable development.
Currently, only a few countries in Africa allow visa-free entry for other Africans; on 1 January 2027, the Republic of the Congo will join that list. “We must move beyond selfishness and nationalism,” Congolese President Sassou Nguesso urged in his announcement, highlighting the need for collective action to drive systemic change.
Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem: progress and persistent gaps
A recent report from the Central Bank of Nigeria demonstrates the continued momentum building in Nigeria’s fintech sector: the country’s digital payments infrastructure exceeded 11 billion transactions in 2024, further proving the value of financial inclusion. The report highlights meaningful advances in payment systems, digital identity infrastructure, and agent banking networks as bringing essential financial services to underserved communities.
Fintech is making huge strides in impactful, systemic change, but the reality is that over a quarter of Nigerians still remain unbanked. For impact investors, this represents significant opportunity: the next phase of growth will likely come from solutions that address affordability, trust, digital literacy, and last-mile distribution. Our sector needs to stand firmly behind sustained, innovative efforts to bring financial services to all.
Signs of agricultural strength across Southern Africa
Several recent developments point to encouraging momentum in Southern Africa’s agricultural sector.
The World Trade Organisation recently recognised South Africa as one of the world’s leading food-producers, reflecting the country’s sophisticated agricultural value chains and strong export capabilities. Spurred on by new US trade tariffs, the country diversified away from Western markets towards Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The result? South Africa’s agricultural sector closed 2025 with exports at a historic high.
More good news comes from the country’s maize sector: forecasts are indicating a historically strong harvest this year, enabling Africa’s largest maize producer to resume exports after recent production challenges. Strong soybean and sunflower crops are also anticipated. These improved harvests are expected to increase regional food security, support farmer incomes, and reduce pressure on food prices across neighbouring markets.
Further north, Zimbabwe is garnering attention for its agricultural progress. Once viewed primarily through the lens of food insecurity and economic instability, the country is increasingly being recognised for innovations in climate-smart farming, extension services, and productivity improvements. In fact, Zimbabwe is beginning to share lessons with other African countries facing similar agricultural challenges.
These developments are a reminder that agriculture remains one of Africa’s most important sectors for driving inclusive growth. While climate risks and market volatility remain significant concerns, improvements in productivity, knowledge-sharing, and regional trade demonstrate the resilience and long-term potential of the continent’s agricultural sector.
