Capital seeks certainty, and the Virgin Islands (VI) is positioning itself as a trusted bridge between African FinTech innovation and international investment. Photo: Facebook

According to a Facebook post by BVI Finance, that was the central message from BVI Finance’s panel discussion, “What’s Keeping FinTech Leaders Up at Night?”, held today at AFSIC – Investing in Africa 2026 in London. The forum, taking place on 13–14 October, brings together institutional investors, private equity funds, development finance institutions, family offices, African businesses and global corporations to connect capital with opportunities across the continent. Photo: Facebook

According to a social media post by BVI Finance, that was the central message from BVI Finance’s panel discussion, “What’s Keeping FinTech Leaders Up at Night?”, held at AFSIC – Investing in Africa 2026 in London. The forum, which took place on October 13-14, brought together institutional investors, private equity funds, development finance institutions, family offices, African businesses and global corporations to connect capital with opportunities across the continent.

Turning Innovation into Investment

Moderated by BVI Finance Chief Executive Officer Elise Donovan, the discussion examined how Africa’s rapidly expanding FinTech sector can convert innovation into sustainable investment. Panellists included Abi Ajayi of London Stock Exchange Group, Christopher Oliver of Maples Group, Ed of GKB Ventures, and James Kinsley of Harneys.

The conversation explored Africa’s evolving investment landscape, including digital infrastructure, private credit, tokenisation, stablecoins and cross-border expansion.

A key conclusion was that innovation alone is not enough to attract international capital. Investors also require confidence, legal certainty and corporate structures capable of supporting businesses as they scale.

VI’s role in global capital

BVI Finance said the Virgin Islands offers an established legal framework, jurisdictional neutrality and flexible corporate structures that provide a familiar and predictable environment for investors. According to the organisation, these features help businesses access international capital and expand into new markets.

“Capital seeks certainty, and the BVI provides just that,” the organisation stated in its summary of the discussion.

The panel also reinforced findings from BVI Finance’s Destination Digital research, which found that 94 per cent of FinTech executives surveyed consider cross-border growth critical or important to their success. 

Connecting Africa to global markets

As Africa’s FinTech ecosystem continues to mature, participants agreed that connecting local innovation with global capital will be essential to unlocking the sector’s full potential.

AFSIC’s 2026 programme includes sector-focused discussions on financial services, technology and FinTech, alongside country investment summits and pitching sessions designed to facilitate direct engagement between investors and African businesses.

BVI Finance extended special thanks to its panellists and attendees for contributing to what it described as an engaging and timely discussion on the future of African FinTech investment.