4 Times an African Founder Pivoted and Won: From Near-Failure to Breakthrough
Tech In Africa | Grace Ashiru - Jan 15, 2026

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- Jason Njoku pivoted iROKO from a lack of distribution to a global Nollywood streaming service, emphasizing the importance of access and rights.
- Shola Akinlade transformed Paystack from a payments API to a multi-rail infrastructure, adapting to the needs of Nigerian businesses for reliability and diverse payment methods.
- Markus Villig shifted Bolt's focus from competitive European markets to emerging markets, capitalizing on lower costs and local preferences to scale effectively.
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The success stories of these African tech pivots illustrate the importance of adaptability in business. Companies must be willing to reassess their strategies and align with the realities of their markets. This approach not only fosters innovation but also builds resilience against competitive pressures from larger global players.
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