‘You can’t hustle forever’: Sabi’s Okubadejo calls for systemic thinking among African founders
- Olumide Okubadejo warns that 70-80% of African startups fail within their first five years due to infrastructure challenges.
- Funding for African startups decreased by 22.73% in 2024, highlighting the need for resilient systems.
- Sabi transformed from a B2B marketplace to a supply chain traceability platform, addressing infrastructure issues.
The emphasis on transitioning from hustle to infrastructure is crucial for the sustainability of African startups. While hustle is important for initial growth, the focus should shift towards building adaptable systems and compliance frameworks that can withstand market volatility. This strategic pivot could redefine the landscape for startups in Africa, enabling them to thrive rather than just survive.
