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By Kazeem Oluwatobiloba, Enterprise Account Officer (Past): United Bank for Africa, Nigeria| Tax Technology Consultant (Current): Deloitte, USA

As dawn breaks over Lagos, the soft glow of phone screens comes alive even before the sun rises. In Accra, a teacher checks her e-wallet before setting out for school. In Nairobi, a group of young developers works on mobile apps that would have seemed impossible only a few years ago. Across Africa, a powerful digital wave is transforming lives, but not everyone is riding it at the same speed. Some communities are racing forward with innovation, while others remain hesitant, unsure of what this transformation might bring.

In the busy markets of Lagos and the side streets of Accra, I have seen first-hand the optimism that defines Africa’s digital age. Mechanics use mobile wallets to safeguard their earnings, while business leaders monitor real-time dashboards to guide their companies’ growth. Everywhere, there is a shared determination to leap into a connected future. Yet beneath this excitement lies an undercurrent of doubt. Technology, while promising, brings new forms of risk. Fraud stories circulate widely, and social media is filled with warnings about hacking and scams. Many still prefer the reassurance of personal interaction, the comfort of a handshake, or the authority of an official stamp.

This hesitation is deeply human. It reflects both the fear of the unknown and the value placed on trust. In Abuja, a tax consultant told me her parents still visit the bank in person because they are not comfortable using mobile apps. In Kumasi, a trader shared how a friend fell victim to a phishing scam and now warns others to avoid digital payments. Some people struggle because they lack digital literacy. Others hesitate because accountability feels unclear. When something goes wrong online, who do you turn to? Unlike traditional banking, digital platforms require individuals to take responsibility for their own security, managing passwords, PINs, and devices with care.

Despite these challenges, Africa’s digital story is far from one of fear. Across the continent, communities are turning barriers into opportunities. In Nairobi’s informal settlements, youth coding programs are teaching both technical skills and digital safety. In Lagos, banks are partnering with local associations to explain how apps work in simple, familiar language. New technologies are also becoming more culturally aware. Instead of copying Western models, developers are building platforms that match African realities, from chatbots that speak Pidgin English to fraud alert systems that send personalized warnings.

Security is also becoming part of everyday life. Multi-factor authentication and biometric verification are making digital banking safer and easier. I met Edamwen, a woman in Benin city who once lost her savings to fraud but now works as a digital ambassador. She teaches people in her community how to recognize scams and protect their information. Her story reflects a broader movement of learning and empowerment taking root across the continent.

What is emerging is a new kind of shared trust. Financial institutions must continue to prioritize clarity and accessibility, while regulators must enforce standards that protect users. Most importantly, communities must take part in spreading accurate information and fostering digital confidence. Digital empowerment is not a single event; it is a collective journey that requires everyone’s participation.

From my experience at Deloitte, both in the field and in boardrooms, I have seen that growth begins with mindset. African innovators are not merely adapting to global technology trends; they are creating solutions that the rest of the world will one day adopt.

Technology may never be perfect, but Africa’s response to it can be powerful. By combining traditional wisdom with modern innovation, and by learning and teaching as a community, the continent can move boldly into its digital future. Trust must be earned, inclusion must be designed, and progress must be shared. Africa’s future is not waiting; it is already happening, one conversation and one connection at a time.