Here’s the reality: nearly 40% of financial transactions in African businesses still require manual reconciliation. This manual grind—prone to errors and delays—is a handbrake on growth. But it’s also a massive opportunity.

The New Wave

CFO Office automation platforms are emerging across Africa, built specifically for SMEs. They automate accounts payable, receivable, expense management, and working capital optimization. Finance teams drowning in spreadsheets can finally focus on growth instead of reconciliation.

The infrastructure is falling into place. Kenya and Nigeria are developing open banking regulations that enable seamless integration between financial systems. For larger enterprises, treasury management automation is becoming essential—especially for forex and liquidity management.

Why Now?

The timing is perfect. Automation and AI in fintech are set to surge in 2025, driven by investment and regulatory clarity. This sits within broader digital transformation: mobile money expansion, virtual assets, and cybersecurity.

There’s one hurdle: African SMEs remain hesitant about SaaS subscription models. But as businesses see the ROI—time saved, errors eliminated, cash flow improved—this resistance is cracking.

The Next Leap

Mobile money infrastructure is mature. Regulations are evolving. Investment is flowing. The pieces are aligning.

African businesses leapfrogged traditional banking with mobile money. Now they’re poised to do it again with finance automation. The question isn’t whether automation will transform operations—it’s how quickly businesses will embrace it for competitive advantage.

For Africa’s CFOs and finance leaders: automation isn’t a luxury for tomorrow. It’s a competitive necessity today.