Elegbe charges entrepreneurs to focus on solutions that create lasting value

By Taiwo Scholarstica

The Founder of Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe, has charged African technology entrepreneurs to develop solutions that can create lasting value and support economic growth.

Speaking at the ICTEL Expo 2026, Elegbe urged African entrepreneurs to pay greater attention to building digital systems that solve real problems instead of focusing mainly on the speed at which their businesses can disrupt existing markets.

According to him, the continent requires technology businesses that can provide the infrastructure needed to support everyday economic activities and improve access to essential services.

“Entrepreneurs should focus on building critical, revenue-generating digital systems rather than chasing rapid disruption,” he said.

Elegbe also encouraged founders to adopt what he described as an infrastructure tax approach.

He explained that entrepreneurs should be willing to invest in essential digital infrastructure while creating business models that can generate sustainable revenue.

He noted that while disruption remains an important part of innovation, it should not overshadow the need to build reliable systems that can serve people and businesses over a long period.

The Interswitch founder said technology entrepreneurs should look beyond popular trends and concentrate on identifying challenges that require practical and lasting solutions.

His comments come as Africa’s technology sector continues to expand, with more businesses and consumers relying on digital platforms for payments, communication, financial services and other daily activities.

He stressed that the future of Africa’s digital economy would depend on more than innovative ideas, noting that strong infrastructure would be necessary to support the continent’s growing technology ecosystem.

Elegbe’s message was that African tech founders should focus on creating businesses that are both commercially viable and capable of solving fundamental problems.

He urged entrepreneurs to take a long-term view of innovation by building digital infrastructure that can support businesses, improve services and contribute to sustainable economic development across the continent.