Hey, I am back with another one of those late-night brain dumps. Lately, I’ve been wrestling with this question: in this digital revolution sweeping Africa, who’s really set to come out on top? Small businesses hustling in local markets, midsize firms trying to scale, big multinational players with deep pockets, entrepreneurs like me with startups looking to carve out whole new industries, or—hear me out—maybe everyone? It’s a puzzle that’s got me curious and thinking, because the stakes feel sky-high, but the answer’s not as obvious as it seems. This tech boom like a tidal wave, and I’m still to figure out who’s going to ride it “best”.

Small businesses—like the mom-and-pop shops or that guy selling phone cases in Joburg—could see a massive boost. Digital platforms can get them online, connect them to customers beyond their street, or communities and maybe even help them track sales without a dusty ledger. But then I think about midsize companies, the ones with 50 to 200 employees, and they’ve got a sweet spot: enough muscle to adopt tech fast, but nimble enough to pivot when it counts. Big multinationals, though? They’ve got cash, global networks, and slick systems— I think of them as the heavy hitters who can swoop in and dominate if they play it right. Entrepreneurs like me, we’re the wild cards—scrappy, hungry, and maybe, just maybe crazy enough to turn a startup idea into the next big unicorn 🦄. But here’s where I pause: does the digital tide lift all boats, or are some will just be paddling harder to stay afloat? I mean, as it stands right now access isn’t equal—rural spots still lag, and not every small biz has the know-how to go digital yet. Hopefully with the consistent launches of Starlink, a reliable internet connection could be the game changer everyone was waiting for.

The more I chew on this, the more I wonder if “everyone” is too rosy a take. Sure, the potential’s there—platforms could level the field, letting a Kenyan startup outmaneuver a corporate giant, or a midsize factory in Lagos leapfrog into new markets. Don’t get me wrong, I do see how tech could amplify the little guy while giving the big dogs a run for their money. But I can’t shake this nagging thought: the winners might be the ones who adapt fastest. The ability to pivot and adapt fast, could literally be the defining characteristic —whether that’s a scrappy entrepreneur, a midsize hustler, a first time founder or a multinational. Maybe in the end it’s less about size (financial and human capital) and more about agility and vision….