#AfricaMonth: Africa is evolving into a global innovation powerhouse

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With a dynamic, youthful population and a growing internal consumer market, Africa’s key economies are positioned for strong growth in the decades to come. What’s more, we can expect African business builders to be at the forefront of the next wave of technology innovation, just as they led the world in adoption of cellphones and mobile money.

Today’s Africa can’t rely on its traditional sources of income—commodities prices remain volatile—but that doesn’t seem to matter. The continent’s entrepreneurs are finding new ways to build a business.  Many of them are helping transform society at the same time, from renewable energies to medical technology.

Whether it’s the creativity of the Nollywood film industry in Nigeria, the exciting FinTech solutions African companies are developing to address financial inclusion, or the massive investments entrepreneurs are making in clean, renewable energy, Africa is alive with innovation and creativity. There is much to celebrate and look forward to as we commemorate Africa Day this year.

Africa is rapidly diversifying from its traditional strengths in mining, oil and agriculture into the technology and creative industries that are reshaping humanity’s future.

Sage’s infographic wraps up some of the sectors showing really interesting growth, and some of the companies that are leading the way. From the first Kenyan company to sponsor an English Premier League football club to a Nigerian tech company helping hospitals search for safe blood supplies in real time via SMS, to the companies changing the way we pay for goods and services, there is plenty of business inspiration right here in Africa.