AI: a new pan-African vibe?

Welcome to the 9th edition of the AXIAN Group newsletter!

In this edition, we dive into the exciting world of artificial intelligence with Charl du Plessis, our Digibank Executive at Axian Open Innovation & Fintech . Charl shares his unique insights on how AI is not just changing the game in financial services, but also unlocking incredible potential across Africa. Get ready to explore the future of technology, innovation, and how we're building more inclusive ecosystems, right here on the continent.

Is AI a new pan-African vibe?

insights from Charl du Plessis

Artificial intelligence (AI) has undeniably woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives. From the viral Yeti and Bigfoot sightings on TikTok to the AI-generated content flooding our feeds, we increasingly lean on AI to navigate our daily tasks. Whether it's seeking assistance from ChatGPT or Gemini for complex problems, or even delegating our grocery list creation to an AI, it has become an indispensable tool. As our societies continue to evolve, so too will AI, expanding its reach and applications across various industries. The pressing question, then, is how this relentless evolution will impact its functionality and programming. Charl du Plessis, a seasoned expert, guides us through the profound shifts occurring in the AI landscape and shares insights from his pivotal role at Digibank, an AXIAN OPEN INNOVATION & FINTECH brand. 

From traditional banking to fintech frontier

Charl du Plessis embarked on his career at Standard Bank in South Africa, traversing diverse sectors and departments within the banking giant. This extensive journey allowed him to cultivate a robust foundation of knowledge and experience within the traditional banking sector. His trajectory then shifted towards the dynamic fintech industry, where he immersed himself in mobile money ecosystems spanning both Africa and Asia. For du Plessis, transitioning from the often slower, governance-heavy world of traditional banking to the agile realm of fintech was nothing short of eye-opening. During his tenure in fintech, his pioneering work earned him the prestigious Google Award for Best AI Implementation in Financial Services, a testament to his innovative spirit, before he eventually joined the AXIAN Group.

Digibank: accelerating financial services across markets

Digibank, at its core, was conceived to revolutionize and accelerate key financial services across AXIAN’s diverse markets, with a particular emphasis on lending. du Plessis explains the foundational philosophy: "The idea was to accelerate key services across our markets, especially lending, in a scalable and efficient way. Instead of replicating full teams in every single market, we asked ourselves: What are the core competencies we need to centralize to truly scale?"

This introspective question led to the strategic structuring of Digibank around six core pillars, all designed to serve multiple markets from a centralized hub. These pillars include:

1.     Risk management: developing sophisticated models to assess and mitigate financial risks.

2.     Product management: designing and refining financial products tailored to specific market needs.

3.     Portfolio management: optimizing and overseeing lending portfolios for maximum efficiency and impact.

4.     Prediction services: leveraging data and AI to forecast trends and inform strategic decisions.

5.     Asset management: efficiently managing financial assets to support lending operations.

6.     Engineering: building and maintaining the robust technological infrastructure that underpins Digibank’s operations.

By centralizing these critical functions, du Plessis elaborates, "We’re able to deploy lending services much faster and more effectively across all the markets we operate in. And so far, we’ve seen remarkable traction in rolling out these services, proving that this centralized model is both scalable and impactful." This approach not only streamlines operations but also ensures consistency and quality across varying regional contexts, a crucial factor for success in Africa’s diverse financial landscape.

AI and machine learning: industry game changers

du Plessis offers a nuanced perspective on AI, clarifying its vast scope: "Let’s break down AI. Artificial intelligence is a broad domain made up of many subfields, and while tools like ChatGPT and large language models (LLMs) have brought AI into the public spotlight, LLMs are really just one part of a much larger ecosystem." He stresses that "Most of AI’s practical applications sit within areas like machine learning, data science, vibe coding, and other disciplines that leverage data in increasingly intelligent ways." This distinction is vital, as it highlights that the true power of AI extends far beyond conversational chatbots, delving into the intricate mechanisms of data-driven decision-making.

The opportunities presented by AI, particularly within the lending sector, are manifold. du Plessis underscores its potential to leverage data more intelligently. He provides a compelling example: "For instance, we conducted a deep dive into data in Tanzania, and we found that 90% of our lending customers there had no credit bureau profile. That means they had no formal access to traditional credit systems, yet they were actively borrowing and repaying through our platforms." This scenario perfectly illustrates the limitations of traditional financial models in emerging markets.

This is where machine learning emerges as a powerful solution. du Plessis explains: "By tapping into alternative data sources, such as telco usage, device behavior, mobile money transactions, call patterns, and engagement trends, we can build predictive tools to profile customers and assess risk even in the absence of traditional credit history." This innovative approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's financial behavior, moving beyond conventional credit scores.

Charl du Plessis identifies two core layers to this groundbreaking approach:

1.     Behavioral profiling through alternative data: "We use non-traditional data to understand how customers behave, which helps in assessing creditworthiness without relying on formal credit bureau data." This involves analyzing digital footprints and transactional patterns that might not be captured by traditional credit bureaus, providing a richer, more accurate picture of an applicant's financial reliability.

2.     Dynamic product fit: "It’s not just about assessing whether someone can repay, but determining how much credit is appropriate. For example, a customer might handle a $10 loan well, but struggle with $10,000. This introduces the concept of risk-product interplay. Through iterative modeling and experimentation, we fine-tune the product configuration—amount, duration, structure—based on individual risk profiles." This personalized approach ensures that lending products are not only accessible but also sustainable for the borrower, minimizing default risks and promoting financial well-being.

For du Plessis, this methodology represents a "prime example of how advanced AI methodologies can help extend access to financial services for populations traditionally excluded from the formal banking sector." He emphasizes, "It’s not just about smarter decisions, it’s about more inclusive financial ecosystems." This vision aligns perfectly with the broader goal of financial inclusion, empowering individuals who have historically been marginalized by conventional banking systems.

The continental context: bridging the physical infrastructure gap

The African continent presents a vast and diverse landscape, with countries at varying stages of technological development. While some nations are excelling in tech innovation, others are still laying the groundwork for their digital foundations. Charl du Plessis acknowledges that "infrastructure remains one of the biggest challenges across African markets, particularly in deploying advanced technologies like machine learning or no-code AI platforms."

He elaborates on the pervasive nature of this challenge: "Even within AXIAN’s footprint, countries like Madagascar, Tanzania, Senegal, Togo, and Comoros, we’ve encountered the same issue: a lack of sufficient compute power and cloud infrastructure to support modern AI systems. In many cases, in-country infrastructure isn’t advanced enough to run tools like real-time machine learning models." This highlights a critical bottleneck that impedes the widespread adoption and effective utilization of cutting-edge AI solutions.

To address this formidable obstacle, Digibank has adopted a multi-faceted approach:

1.     Regulatory engagement: du Plessis states, "We’ve worked closely with regulators in each market to create room for innovation, either through formal exemptions, pilot programs (POCs), or regulatory sandboxes. These allow us to process data in the cloud, even when local infrastructure isn’t yet ready." This proactive engagement with regulatory bodies is crucial for fostering an environment conducive to technological advancement, allowing for flexibility and experimentation within a controlled framework.

2.     Leveraging public-private partnerships (PPPs): "AXIAN is also investing in local data centers and compute infrastructure. Through Stellar IX, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), we’re expanding access to AWS capabilities regionally, which is crucial for our current and future AI deployments." These strategic partnerships are instrumental in building the foundational infrastructure necessary to support the burgeoning AI ecosystem across Africa.

Beyond these initiatives, du Plessis points to a broader systemic issue affecting individuals’ access to technologies: "In many underserved areas, people struggle with expensive mobile data, limited smartphone access, and digital literacy." He emphasizes that "AXIAN has been proactive in addressing this through 4G and 5G network expansion and by making connectivity more affordable and widespread. With  solutions players like Starlink satellite based internet access providers entering the market, access to data is becoming less of a barrier, especially for rural or remote areas." This holistic approach ensures that the benefits of technological advancements reach even the most remote communities.

He pinpoints a major transformative shift that occurs when regions become connected: "Because tools like ChatGPT and other LLMs can now bring knowledge and services to communities that were previously excluded. A rural learner with a smartphone can now access learning materials, business tools, or even financial services—without ever entering a formal classroom or bank." This democratization of access to information and services holds immense potential for socio-economic development across the continent.

Talent breeding: unlocking Africa’s potential

Closing the tech talent gap in Africa is a complex and evolving challenge, particularly given the rapid pace of technological advancements. Collaborative efforts between educational institutions and the private sector are paramount to nurturing and developing this talent pool. The overarching goal is to harmonize talent development across Africa, bridging the disparity between countries with robust tech sectors and those still building their digital foundations, ultimately elevating African talent to global recognition.

du Plessis highlights the underrepresentation of African AI researchers globally, underscoring the urgent need for greater inclusion and education. He firmly believes that improved infrastructure and reduced costs will significantly increase access to AI and digital ecosystems. AXIAN’s strategic approach involves investing in tech hubs and learning centers to cultivate local talent, ensuring the development of a sustainable and evolving AI workforce.

Challenging prevailing perceptions, du Plessis asserts, "In my personal opinion, the idea of a severe talent gap in Africa is more of a perception than a reality. The continent already has an incredible pool of skilled developers and data engineers, countries like South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya produce talent that’s on par with, if not better than, what we see in some South Asian countries for example." He cites a compelling example: "AWS (Amazon Web Services) was originally developed in South Africa; That alone says a lot about the region’s capabilities."

He clarifies that "The real challenge isn’t a lack of talent. It’s access." du Plessis explains, "Africa is vast and sparsely populated, with many rural communities and a large number of people who don’t finish formal education. This limits their exposure to digital tools and ecosystems." The solution, he contends, is "to expand access and opportunity, not just assume a lack of skills." Public-private partnerships (PPPs) and alternative education models are identified as the way forward.

du Plessis also points to a strong grassroots momentum: "Hackathons and innovation challenges are thriving in markets like Kenya and Egypt. Companies put forward real-world problem statements, and participants compete to solve them, sometimes over a weekend, sometimes with prize money or business support." He identifies this as "a vibrant, bottom-up way to identify talent, spark entrepreneurship, and build solutions." These initiatives not only unearth hidden talent but also foster a culture of innovation and problem-solving, directly addressing local challenges with local solutions.

The potential of vibe coding: lowering barriers, empowering developers

When it comes to "vibe coding," du Plessis highlights its immense potential in Africa. He explains that "tools like this are significantly lowering the barriers to entry. Today, someone with no coding background can start developing solutions, and junior developers can quickly level up. The gap between novice and expert developers is shrinking—not because talent is being replaced, but because it’s being empowered." This transformative aspect of vibe coding democratizes development, making it accessible to a much broader audience.

For du Plessis, vibe coding acts as an "unbiased expert sitting beside you." He elaborates on its cultural impact: "In places where cultural norms discourage junior staff from challenging authority, this can be transformative. It fosters a safe space for learning, experimentation, and feedback, without the fear of social or professional repercussions." This is particularly significant in contexts where hierarchical structures might stifle innovation and open communication.

He summarizes the overarching mandate: "We must invest in people, improve infrastructure and education, embrace evolving technology, and use tools like vibe coding to overcome structural and cultural barriers that limit potential." This holistic approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of human capital, infrastructure, and technology in driving progress.

 Bypassing cultural bias: AI as an objective enabler

du Plessis acknowledges that in many African countries, unspoken rules often dictate interactions, where "what the senior says goes, and junior team members aren’t expected, or even encouraged, to challenge them." This ingrained cultural dynamic can inadvertently impede growth and innovation. AI, however, offers a powerful counterpoint: "It doesn’t carry emotional bias. It doesn’t take offense, nor does it reinforce hierarchy. Instead, it helps resolve problems objectively, even challenging ideas or catching errors without ego or judgment." This objectivity is a game-changer in fostering a more meritocratic and efficient work environment.

"Vibe coding empowers developers, especially junior ones, to test, iterate, and learn in real time," du Plessis explains. "It enables them to challenge ideas and build solutions without fearing authority or backlash. This not only boosts technical accuracy but also builds confidence and fosters a more open, collaborative culture." By providing a neutral platform for experimentation and feedback, AI tools like vibe coding can subtly yet profoundly shift organizational cultures towards greater openness and innovation.

Cultural dynamics: bridging regions through AI

"If you really want to solve a problem, go back to the people closest to it. They often hold the most practical solutions," du Plessis asserts, emphasizing a localized approach to problem-solving. He believes that AI can play a crucial role in breaking down cultural barriers between people, stating, "This is not about organizational culture; it’s also about the tools we’re using." For du Plessis, tools like vibe coding will help bridge the cultural gaps that exist in Africa. "Of course, cultural change is always hard. It requires intention and consistency. But from a Digibank perspective, we’ve had to work actively to challenge these ingrained biases."

Taking Africa’s financial services scene as an example, Charl du Plessis paints a vivid picture: "Most markets are still heavily male-dominated in terms of formal transactions. So when we train models using transaction data, that data carries inherent gender bias, not because women aren’t active in economic life, but because they are less visible in formal financial systems." He highlights a critical challenge: "If we want to achieve true financial inclusion, we need to find ways to make women more visible in the data, even when they aren’t the primary users of financial services today." For the expert, this is not merely a cultural issue; it's fundamentally a data issue. The goal is to actively design systems that counteract bias, both in people and in algorithms, ensuring that AI promotes equity rather than perpetuating existing disparities.

The complexity of data infrastructure: the next frontier

"Africa’s biggest weakness is that data is still treated as an afterthought," acknowledges du Plessis. He adds, "It’s only when someone asks a specific question that we begin scrambling to gather, clean, and analyze data. But AI doesn’t work like that. It’s a data machine. It needs structured, consistent, and contextual data from the start." This highlights a fundamental shift in how organizations must approach data management in the age of AI.

He continues by emphasizing that the next leap forward will involve companies moving beyond readily visible data to uncover "hidden data"—the untapped datasets residing behind public interfaces. Organizations, he contends, need to fundamentally rethink their data strategies to build systems that are inherently AI-ready.

du Plessis advocates for investment in "semantic layers," which involve "defining your data in a way that natural language interfaces can interact with it." He explains, "We’re experimenting to democratize data analysis for non-technical teams. Well-defined and structured data makes it seamless to plug AI tools into workflows." This approach empowers a broader range of users to interact with and derive insights from data, breaking down traditional silos.

This strategy significantly enhances the utility of tools like Vibe Coding. By creating semantic layers around systems and data, Vibe Coding can comprehend both code and business context, transforming into a powerful partner that automates tasks, accelerates processes, and scales capacity without necessitating an increase in headcount. du Plessis provides a compelling statistic: "At Digibank, for example, around 60% of our code is now generated through Vibe Coding, and we’re targeting 80%. This is what allows us to scale into multiple markets, without scaling our team at the same rate. Even though Digibank remains lean, we’re deploying across countries, integrating into new markets, and planning to expand beyond AXIAN." The ultimate objective, for du Plessis, is to evolve into a "Digibank-as-a-Service" model, further democratizing access to cutting-edge financial technology.

 Linguistic diversity: a challenge and an opportunity for AI

"Traditionally, coding has been done in English, regardless of your geographic or linguistic background. Whether you’re in China, Madagascar, or South Africa, you’re expected to understand English to engage with most programming languages. But for many people, English is their second, third, or even fourth language," du Plessis points out. This linguistic barrier has historically excluded many capable individuals from the world of coding.

However, vibe coding and LLMs are now actively addressing this challenge. These tools empower users to express themselves in their own natural language and interact with code. Someone with the logical aptitude and skills to code, but who lacks proficiency in English, can now use natural language to describe their desired functionality, and AI will seamlessly translate it into code. du Plessis further elaborates: "Context is crucial, and LLMs have made significant strides in this area. In the past three years, contextual understanding has seen a major breakthrough. Models now interpret meaning, not just translate words. Companies like Meta (Facebook) have led in multi-language AI due to their access to vast datasets, and they likely still have the best language interpretation engines." This advancement is particularly impactful in linguistically diverse regions like Africa, opening up new avenues for talent development and innovation.

Currently, most tools are designed for human interfaces—clicking, typing, navigating through screens. However, this paradigm is poised for a radical shift, as the same tools will increasingly be built for machine interfaces, where technical language will become redundant. For du Plessis, "people are building automation tools by recording manual clicks on websites. But in the future, websites themselves may be built differently—designed for machine interaction rather than human navigation." He concludes, "The way we engage with technology is going to change radically."

The future of AI in Africa: risks, opportunities, and self-researching machines

du Plessis offers a thought-provoking perspective on the future of AI, drawing a parallel to the movie Idiocracy: "I think I have a unique perspective. Have you seen the movie Idiocracy? I believe we’re heading towards that scenario, and it’s becoming a real challenge, especially for the next generation of AI models."

He pinpoints a critical concern: "There’s a growing portion of content available on the web that is AI-generated, and those content are training the next wave of AI models. This is bringing out a loop, self-reinforcing cycle, where AI is fed AI-generated content." This creates a potential "Idiocracy loop," where "the quality of data will deteriorate as inputs weaken, leading to degraded outputs."

From a human perspective, du Plessis cautions, "The more we rely on AI tools to think for us, the more we risk losing our critical thinking, building knowledge through effort. That process developed your ability to question things, to think critically, and to form nuanced views." This highlights the importance of maintaining human cognitive faculties even as AI becomes more pervasive.

On the flip side, there is also immense optimism. du Plessis acknowledges the unprecedented democratization of access to knowledge through AI, which is "breaking the glass ceiling, opening up new fields to people who were traditionally excluded." He terms this "a powerful shift."

Turning to Africa’s unique position, he asserts that the continent is inherently innovative due to its myriad challenges. "Innovation thrives in scarcity," attests du Plessis. Africa's leapfrogging into mobile money, fintech, and digital banking, outpacing many Western countries, serves as a testament to this inherent adaptability. "Problem-solving out of necessity is what drives disruption, and across African countries the appetite for new technology is strong," notes du Plessis. He further emphasizes that "while we do need to be mindful of the risks, like the decline in critical thinking and the degradation of training data, we also need to double down on the opportunities: accessibility, innovation, and the potential to leapfrog barriers that once seemed immovable."

His vision for the continent is clear: "Africa is ripe for disruption, and I believe the next wave of global innovation could very well come from here."

du Plessis then unveils what he believes will be the "real breakthrough, the next evolution of AI": "enabling machines to self-research." He elaborates, "Once AI models can autonomously explore, test, and build on knowledge, we’ll see a new level of intelligence and problem-solving emerge. That, in my view, is where the next fundamental leap lies." This concept of self-researching AI represents a profound paradigm shift, moving beyond current models that rely on human-curated data.

However, he reiterates that infrastructure remains a major roadblock to achieving this vision. There is a greater need for larger data centers, more affordable compute power, and the ability for businesses to leverage their own private data securely and intelligently. "We’re going to move from general-purpose AI to highly contextual, specialized AI ecosystems, designed to solve problems within a specific vertical," says du Plessis. He further states that companies’ strategies should be able to activate their own data "securely, ethically, and intelligently."

He concludes with a powerful statement that encapsulates his forward-looking perspective: "The future isn’t just about bigger models. It’s about smarter systems, empowered by self-researching capabilities and supported by robust infrastructure that allows every business to become an AI-powered one." This vision underscores a future where AI is not merely a tool but an integral, self-evolving component of every enterprise, driving innovation and solving complex problems on a global scale, with Africa at the forefront.

- M.I.

US$ 600M bond issuance by AXIAN Telecom

AXIAN Telecom has successfully priced a US$600 million bond issuance, drawing strong interest from global investors. The proceeds will be used to refinance existing debt and support continued investments in digital infrastructure, smartphone accessibility, and mobile financial services. 

This transaction reflects growing investor confidence in African issuers and reinforces AXIAN Telecom’s pivotal role in advancing innovation and connectivity across the continent.

The AXIAN Concert 2025

The 4th edition of the AXIAN Concert brought together over 4,500 attendees, featured top artists, and delivered an unforgettable experience broadcast live on Facebook. 

Whether spread across the 4 corners of the continent or gathered in front of the stage, AXIAN's People made the most of this annual event. 

An evening filled with music, joy, and togetherness.

 Two signatures for AXIAN Energy

At the Africa Energy Forum (AEF), AXIAN Energy reached two major milestones in its commitment to sustainable energy across the continent:

 In Ivory Coast, through a partnership with AFRICA VIA and the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), we signed a mandate letter with FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank , which will act as senior lender for the financing of a 50 MW solar project.

In Zambia, we signed a memorandum of understanding with Africa GreenCo , with the support of Standard Bank South Africa, aiming at a power purchase agreement (PPA) for two grid-connected solar photovoltaic plants with a total capacity of 250 MWac.

Changing Africa is back!

In the new episode, our CEO Hassanein Hiridjee embarks on a bold and thrilling conversation with Kate Kallot , founder of Amini.ai, about AI, entrepreneurship, and the power of tech to reshape Africa. 

Kate is a passionate innovator with a clear and powerful mission: to bring Africa’s tech scene into the global spotlight and keep it there.

Available on all streaming platforms!

AXIAN Telecom releases its 2024 Sustainability Report 

This report highlights their unwavering dedication to digital inclusion, community empowerment, and environmental stewardship across Africa.

More than just a report, it truly embodies AXIAN Telecom 's pivotal role in advancing our vision for a thriving Africa. They are building a future where connectivity empowers lives, protects our planet, and drives inclusive growth.

Read the report here:  https://www.axian-telecom.com/cirdowee/2025/06/AT_SUSTAINABILITY_REPORT_2024-1.pdf

 Terraces Park by First Immo

First Immo , in partnership with Colas Madagascar, launches construction of Park Terraces in Alarobia. 

Residential living in Antananarivo can be demanding, ambitious, urban, vibrant, and boldly hybrid. Park Terraces is the embodiment of that vision: two striking towers connected by a skybridge, brought to life through the architectural expertise of Patriarche. Augmented Architecture .

Congratulations to First Immo teams, a susbsidiary of Axian Properties, and all the partners who helped turn this vertical ambition into reality.