The next investment cycle of Tekedia Capital begins in the first week of April 2026. We will be bringing 15 global startups covering photonics, space tech, AI, finance, etc. Join here and co-invest with us https://capital.tekedia.com/course/fee/
Africa’s Position in the Next Capital Market Order – Ndubuisi Ekekwe
At a time when the global order is being redesigned, ushering fragmentation of power with new rules quietly emerging, the Abuja Conclave brings together a select group of thinkers and operators to interrogate one central question: “What must Africa control, align, or deliberately forgo today to avoid becoming a permanent rule-taker in the next global system?”
Join me and other speakers at the Conclave as we examine this question with clarity and rigor. I will approach it through the lens of the capital market, that foundational construct upon which nations organize capital, coordinate production, and build enduring prosperity. Across human history, no system has been more effective in aggregating resources and scaling development than a well-structured capital market.
The wealth of nations is anchored on its capacity to combine and recombine elemental factors of production, and the capital market is the fulcrum upon which everything happens.
Take a case study and consider this paradox: in a nation like Nigeria where more than 80% of printed money sits outside the banking system, what does that imply? It means capital is not compounding. It means value is idle. It means billions are forfeiting returns that could have been earned through simple sovereign instruments. It means people are operating at MONEY level instead of CAPITAL level. Money delivers largely poverty, capital anchors abundance as money does not have generative production capacity.
So, how does Nigeria, and indeed Africa, reposition in a new capital market order, especially as AI reshapes how value is created, priced, and exchanged? This is the conversation, and why you need to attend.
Date: March 30–31, 2026 | Abuja, Nigeria
Register free here: https://events.16thcouncil.uk/gsn-abuja-conclave/
Join us.
Happy Pay Secures $5M Seed Round to Scale Africa’s First Ad-Subsidised BNPL Network
South African Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform Happy Pay has raised $5 million in a seed funding round to accelerate the growth of what it describes as Africa’s first ad-subsidised payments network.
The round was led by Partech, with participation from Futuregrowth Asset Management, 4Di Capital, E4EAfrica, Equitable Ventures, Felix Strategic Investments, Summit.Deals, and The University Technology Fund.
The newly raised capital will be deployed to expand Happy Pay’s merchant network, scale its presence across both digital and physical retail channels, and further develop its AI-powered advertising and recommendation engine.
Commenting on the investment, Matthieu Marchand noted that after evaluating BNPL companies across Africa, Europe, and the United States, Partech believes Happy Pay’s model offers a compelling value proposition.
According to him, BNPL solutions are most effective when they provide real affordability for consumers while enabling merchants to boost conversions, grow their customer base, build loyalty, and reduce acquisition costs.
Happy Pay’s Co-founder and CEO, Wesley Billet, described the milestone as a significant step in the company’s journey. He emphasized that Happy Pay is not merely a BNPL checkout solution but a broader commerce network designed to eliminate interest costs for consumers.
He wrote,
“Super excited to announce Happy Pay’s $5M Seed Round, led by Partech! Happy Pay is far more than a Buy Now Pay Later checkout button. We’re building Africa’s first ad-subsidised payments network, an ecosystem spanning online and physical instalment payments connected by an intelligent performance ads engine that delivers cost-free finance for consumers and a new growth channel for retailers.”
South Africa has emerged as one of Africa’s most dynamic markets for Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), driven by a convergence of digital adoption, shifting consumer behavior, and the rapid expansion of e-commerce.
As financial inclusion and alternative credit models gain traction, BNPL is increasingly positioned as a critical component of the country’s evolving fintech ecosystem. Projections indicate that the sector will expand to around $1.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of about 9.8% during the forecast period.
Other estimates suggest even more aggressive expansion, with long-term forecasts pointing to growth rates exceeding 20% annually through the early 2030s, underscoring the sector’s scalability and investor appeal.
Founded in 2023, Happy Pay enables brands and merchants to subsidise the cost of financing by investing in targeted advertising at the point of purchase, creating a system where consumers access interest-free payments while merchants unlock a new growth channel.
The platform offers shoppers the ability to split payments across two pay cycles without interest or upfront deposits. The company says this model helps increase merchants’ average basket sizes and improves customer conversion rates.
Happy Pay operates in a rapidly growing market. With the average credit-active South African spending approximately 28% of their take-home income on debt repayments, the startup is positioning its offering as a more affordable alternative to traditional credit.
Since launch, the company has grown to over 600,000 users, representing a 900% increase, driven largely by younger consumers. It competes with other players in the space such as PayJustNow, Payflex, and Float.
By integrating payments, retail, and advertising into a single ecosystem, Happy Pay is aiming to redefine how credit is delivered and monetised across Africa’s retail landscape.
The New Home Economy: Remodeling, Remote Work, and Smart Living
Over the past few years, the way people use their homes has changed dramatically. Homes are no longer just places where people sleep and spend evenings after work. For many people, homes have become offices, gyms, classrooms, and entertainment spaces all in one. This shift has created what many experts are now calling the “new home economy,” where homeowners are investing more in improving their current homes instead of moving to new ones.
One of the biggest drivers of this trend is remote work. As more companies allow employees to work from home either full-time or in hybrid models, homeowners are rethinking how their spaces function. This has led to increased demand for upgrades and renovations, including projects such as home remodeling Sacramento, where homeowners are transforming their houses into spaces that better support work, productivity, and modern living.
Remote Work Is Changing Home Design
Remote work has significantly changed what people expect from their homes. In the past, most homes were designed primarily for evenings and weekends. Today, many people spend the majority of their day at home, which has changed priorities when it comes to space, comfort, and functionality.
Homeowners now want dedicated home offices, quiet workspaces, better lighting, and more comfortable living environments. Open spaces that once seemed ideal are now sometimes being redesigned to include private work areas or multifunctional rooms.
This shift has also influenced renovation trends. Instead of focusing only on kitchens or bathrooms, homeowners are now remodeling entire homes to create spaces that support both living and working. The home is no longer just a living space, it has become a productivity space as well.
Smart Homes and Technology Integration
Technology is another major factor driving the new home economy. Smart home technology has become more accessible and more popular, allowing homeowners to control lighting, heating, security, and appliances from their phones or voice assistants.
Many remodeling projects now include smart home upgrades as part of the renovation process. These upgrades improve convenience, security, and energy efficiency while also making homes more attractive to future buyers.
Common smart home upgrades included in modern remodeling projects often include:
- Smart thermostats that automatically adjust indoor temperatures
- Smart lighting systems that can be controlled remotely
- Home security systems with cameras and remote monitoring
- Smart locks that allow keyless entry
- Integrated home assistants that control multiple devices
These technologies are becoming standard features in modern homes and are influencing how remodeling projects are planned and executed.
Remodeling Instead of Moving
Another major factor behind the new home economy is the rising cost of housing. In many cities, buying a new home has become increasingly expensive due to rising property prices, interest rates, and limited housing supply.
As a result, many homeowners are choosing to remodel their existing homes instead of moving. Remodeling allows homeowners to improve their current living space without the stress and expense of buying a new property.
Renovations can include expanding living spaces, upgrading kitchens and bathrooms, improving outdoor areas, or redesigning layouts to better suit modern lifestyles. In many cases, remodeling is more cost-effective than moving, especially when homeowners already like their location and neighborhood.
Multi-Functional Living Spaces
Modern homes are increasingly designed to support multiple activities in the same space. Living rooms may also function as workspaces, dining areas may double as meeting spaces, and spare bedrooms may be converted into home offices or gyms.
Remodeling projects often focus on creating flexible spaces that can adapt to changing needs. For example, sliding doors, movable partitions, and built-in storage can allow rooms to serve multiple purposes without feeling crowded.
This trend reflects the changing role of the home in modern life. Homes are now expected to support work, relaxation, entertainment, exercise, and family life all in one place.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
Energy efficiency has also become an important part of the new home economy. Homeowners are increasingly interested in reducing energy costs and environmental impact through home upgrades.
Modern remodeling projects often include improvements such as better insulation, energy-efficient windows, and smart climate control systems. These upgrades help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures while reducing energy consumption.
Energy-efficient upgrades often include:
- Energy-efficient windows and doors
- Improved insulation in walls and attics
- Smart thermostats and climate control systems
- Energy-efficient appliances
- Solar panel installations
These improvements not only reduce monthly expenses but also increase long-term property value.
The Financial Impact of Remodeling
Remodeling has also become an important part of personal financial planning for many homeowners. Instead of spending money on moving costs, new mortgages, and relocation expenses, homeowners are investing that money into improving their existing homes.
Home improvements can increase property value, which makes remodeling both a lifestyle decision and a financial investment. Well-planned renovations often increase the resale value of a home while also improving everyday living conditions.
Because of this, remodeling is increasingly seen not just as an expense but as an investment in both comfort and long-term financial stability.
The Future of the Home Economy
The new home economy is likely to continue growing as remote work, smart home technology, and rising housing costs continue to influence housing decisions. Homes will continue to evolve into spaces that support multiple aspects of life, including work, entertainment, health, and family activities.
Future remodeling trends will likely focus on flexibility, technology integration, sustainability, and efficient use of space. Homes will be designed to adapt to changing lifestyles rather than serving only one purpose.
As homeowners continue to invest in their living spaces, remodeling will remain a major part of the housing industry. The homes of the future will not only be places to live but also places to work, create, relax, and connect with others.
The new home economy shows that the role of the home is changing, and remodeling is at the center of this transformation. By adapting homes to modern lifestyles, homeowners are creating spaces that better support both their personal and professional lives while also increasing the long-term value of their properties.