In the landscape of Africa’s emerging business leaders, few stories exemplify innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurial excellence as powerfully as that of Kolade Ogunsola and his team, Afriheels. Their novel idea captured international attention at the prestigious Georgetown Africa Business Conference (GTABC), where they not only competed against some of the brightest minds in global business but also secured a well-deserved second-place victory. This recognition places Kolade and his team firmly in the spotlight as trailblazers in driving Africa’s economic transformation.
Held annually, the Georgetown Africa Business Conference is renowned for assembling influential thought leaders, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to deliberate on key issues shaping the future of African economies. The conference provides a platform for innovative minds to present practical solutions addressing pressing challenges, bridging the gap between vision and implementation across the continent’s various sectors.
On the first day of the conference, Friday, April 28th, participants were welcomed by the GTABC team and treated to a riveting keynote speech by Bobby Pittman, the founding partner at Kupanda Capital, who discussed the challenges and opportunities for growth in Africa’s creative and entertainment industry. He highlighted the significance of digitization in addressing issues such as visa delays, banking obstacles, and anti-money laundering regulations while stressing the significance of digitization in addressing these challenges and creating a more modern society.
After the keynote speech, the conference took a creative turn with an African Creatives Panel. The panelists, who were drawn from various fields such as music and dance, social media, fashion, film, and art, engaged in a lively discussion that highlighted the richness of African creative industries and their potential to create jobs and drive economic growth. Experts in the Nigerian creative industry, including Audu Maikori, Abiodun “Bizzle” Osikoya, and Editi Effiong, attributed Nigeria’s success in the creative industry to factors such as its large population, striving mentality, and deep storytelling roots. However, they acknowledged the challenges African artists face in terms of support and recognition, emphasizing the need for more government assistance.
The day continued with a cocktail hour and an art exhibition, where participants had the opportunity to network and interact with the exhibitors. The evening concluded with a spectacular Fashion and Cultural Show, featuring some of Africa’s most innovative and celebrated designers.
The second day of the conference, Saturday, April 29th, started with a breakfast and the GTBAC team introduction, where Moses Ruharo and Ziyanda Mtshontshi welcomed the attendees and set the stage for what was to come. The welcome note was given by Dean Malaviya, who emphasized the importance of the conference and the role that Africa plays in the global economy.
A major highlight of the day was the Case Competition, which showcased some of the brightest minds tackling business challenges in Africa. One standout team was Team AfriHeels from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, led by Kolade Ogunsola. Their innovative solution focused on closing Africa’s $421 billion SME financing gap through a digital credit-scoring platform. This platform aimed to measure the financial health of small businesses and de-risk borrowers, ultimately saving African SMEs an estimated $72 million per year for every 1% reduction in interest rates.
Kolade Ogunsola and his team, including Sayo Folarin, Ahmed Ogundimu, and Dotun Adedapo, delivered a compelling presentation on how their proprietary machine-learning algorithm could bridge the gap between financial institutions and SMEs. By leveraging alternative data sources and partnerships with trade unions and microfinance banks, AfriHeels sought to expand credit access to over 20 million SMEs in Africa.
While the judges, including Dr. Anthony Annan and Charles Asubonten, had difficulty selecting a winner, Team AfriHeels’ innovative approach made a lasting impression, reinforcing the need for technology-driven financial solutions to support Africa’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Following the Case Competition, participants engaged in a Technology Breakout Session, where industry experts discussed innovations in Fintech, Agritech, and Healthtech. This was followed by the Energy Plenary, which focused on clean energy and energy transitions in Africa, and an Entrepreneurship Breakout Session that highlighted venture capital, private equity, and impact investments.
The day ended with a keynote speech by Travis Adkins, who shared his journey from working in corporate America to becoming a successful entrepreneur. The conference co-chairs delivered closing remarks, thanking the attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors for making the event a success.
The Georgetown Africa Business Conference was a resounding success. It brought together some of Africa’s brightest minds to discuss the continent’s economic future. The participants left feeling inspired and empowered to make a positive impact in Africa and beyond.
A Deep Commitment to Africa’s Economic Future
Kolade Ogunsola’s contribution to Team Afriheels reflects more than competition success; it speaks to his larger mission of promoting sustainable economic development across Africa. His dedication to fostering entrepreneurship, empowering local communities, and enhancing market access for underserved populations is evident in every facet of his work.

Speaking on the experience, Kolade Ogunsola shared:
“Leading Team Afriheels at the Georgetown Africa Business Conference was both humbling and empowering. Securing second place among such an elite pool of talent reaffirmed my confidence in leveraging Machine Learning and Blockchain Technology for predictive analysis in business. I have co-authored a couple of papers on this topic, one of which discusses Digital Transformation in Retail Banking to Enhance Customer Experience and Profitability. The paper discussed how big data analytics and cloud computing would empower banks to deliver personalized services, streamline processes, and enhance decision-making. We have demonstrated here today that we can use digital technology to reduce credit barriers by building personalized creditworthiness information for SMEs, that would encourage working capital/Supply Chain Financing from Financial Institutions.

Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
According to one of the case judges, “The significance of Team Afriheels’ achievement extends beyond the competition itself. Their recognition at GTABC serves as a beacon of inspiration for emerging African entrepreneurs and young professionals striving to make a difference in their respective fields.” Kolade Ogunsola’s journey—marked by dedication, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to collaborative success—sets a standard for others to emulate. Moreover, their second-place finish has opened doors for future partnerships, mentorship opportunities, and potential investment avenues that could turn their business solution into a fully operational venture, impacting millions of lives across African communities.