Industry leaders have said the dream of a 25-year-old Nigerian purchasing a home in a prime location may soon become reality.

This optimistic forecast emerged from discussions about revolutionary changes in financial technology and credit access at Builders Summit on May 23 2023 at the Balmoral Event Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

Speaking at a panel titled “The Future of African Fintech & Scaling Cross-Border Payments,” Babatunde Akin-Moses, CEO of Sycamore Group, painted an optimistic picture of Africa’s financial future, where improved asset management and credit access could dramatically lower the barriers to asset acquisition for young people.
“We’re looking at a future where a 25-year-old Nigerian can afford to buy homes in choice locations because of improved credit access,” Akin-Moses told the audience, explaining how innovative fintech solutions address fundamental challenges in traditional lending.
Akin-Moses identified stringent credit scoring systems as one of the key impediments facing traditional financial institutions in providing uncollateralized credit to young professionals.

However, he positioned fintech companies like Sycamore, which have developed proprietary credit scoring systems, as the solution to this longstanding barrier.

The panel, moderated by tech journalist and creator Fatu Ogwuche, also featured Victor Alade, CEO and Dr. Austin Okpagu, Country Manager Nigeria, Verto, as industry leaders explored how technology-driven financial services are revolutionizing asset management and cross-border payment solutions.

Complementing the discussion on credit access, Alade painted an equally transformative picture for international payments, envisioning a future where cross-border and international transactions could happen with the simple touch of a button using just phone numbers. This seamless payment infrastructure, he suggested, would further remove barriers for young Africans looking to do business globally or access international opportunities.

The discussion comes when Africa’s fintech sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, with companies like Sycamore leading the charge in democratizing access to sophisticated asset management solutions.
Earlier this year, Sycamore secured a license from Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission to operate as a fund/portfolio manager, positioning itself among the select group of regulated investment firms driving financial inclusion across the continent through innovative asset management technologies.
The panel’s optimistic outlook suggests that the combination of innovative lending models, improved credit assessment tools, and growing financial inclusion could fundamentally alter the traditional timeline for major life investments, potentially allowing a new generation of Africans to build wealth much earlier in their careers than previously possible.
The Builders Summit, a one-day gathering organized by Founders Connect, brought together the brightest minds in tech, entrepreneurship, and content creation. It is designed as a platform for “builders”—individuals actively shaping the future through career advancement, business scaling, brand creation, or funding visionary ideas.