At a recent UBA Business Series event in Lagos, investors and industry leaders identified financial inclusion, the creative economy, sports, and SMEs as the primary sectors for Africa’s next unicorns. The panel, themed “Building for Africa’s Realities,” emphasized that startups must prioritize local problem-solving over importing global business models. Experts, including Chowdeck CEO Femi Aluko and investor Ashim Egunjobi, highlighted that businesses leveraging consumer data and feedback to address specific local needs are best positioned for scalability and investor interest. The discussion also addressed the role of AI in empowering African creators to compete in the global digital economy.