In a vibrant Lagos evening buzzing with curiosity and innovation, Kora, a leading payment infrastructure company, successfully hosted the second edition of its celebrated “Sundown Sessions.” Themed “AI in Africa: Scaling Beyond the Hype,” the event drew over 400 entrepreneurs, creatives, and technology leaders eager to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming Africa’s economic and creative landscapes.
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A Fireside Chat on Creativity and AI
The evening opened with a dynamic fireside chat featuring Ifeanyi Nwunne, Creative Director of I.N Official Limited, and Yinka Ash, Founder & CEO of Ashcorp Group, moderated by Dickson Nsofor, CEO of Kora. The discussion delved into AI’s potential to enhance creativity, manufacturing, and consumer engagement, particularly within Africa’s fashion industry.
“AI only threatens those who stop innovating,” Nwunne observed. “Across fashion and other industries, it enables faster work, better visualisation, and more precise execution. It amplifies creativity rather than replacing it.”
Ash added a nuanced perspective: “Machines can automate, but they cannot feel. Human experience and creativity are irreplaceable. Using AI as a partner, not a competitor, is the way to compete globally.”
Rethinking African Business Models with AI
The first panel discussion, “How Will AI Reshape Business Models in Africa,” brought together thought leaders including Somtochukwu Ifezue (PiggyVest), Onyinye Olisah (Onus Financial Services), Buchi Okoro (Quidax), Frank Atat (industry practitioner), and Ugodre Obi-Chukwu (Nairametrics), with Chigozirim Nwokeoma of Techpoint Africa moderating.
Panellists highlighted AI’s impact across sectors like finance, agriculture, and media. Ifezue described PiggyVest’s use of AI to enhance productivity and accelerate learning. Olisah underscored human creativity: “AI is powerful, but it only goes as far as we guide it. Without insight, AI can replace you.”
Okoro stressed ethical considerations in financial services, noting Quidax’s strict AI policies for data protection and customer trust. Atat showcased AI in agriculture, from soil testing to crop management, while Obi-Chukwu discussed journalism, emphasizing the indispensable role of human editors in data verification and storytelling.
Aboyeji Challenges Innovators to Look Beyond Fintech
A highlight of the evening was the keynote address by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founding Partner at Future Africa, who urged African innovators to broaden their horizons beyond the fintech boom.
“We’ve built unicorns with limited resources, but AI presents an opportunity to build across trade, governance, and digital infrastructure,” Aboyeji explained. “Access to the internet remains a critical barrier — solving this is key to Africa’s digital future.”
Kora also unveiled its latest AI-driven product suite, demonstrating integration of machine learning into payments and risk management to help African businesses scale efficiently and responsibly.
Celebrating Africa’s Digital Innovation
Reflecting on the Kora’s event, Dickson Nsofor stated, “AI is ushering in a new era of Africa’s digital growth. At Kora, we believe progress happens when technology meets community, and Sundown Sessions bridges that gap.”
From fashion to finance, agriculture to media, the 2025 Sundown Sessions highlighted Africa’s readiness to lead a global wave of innovation powered by technology, creativity, and collaboration. The gathering was more than a discussion; it was a celebration of Africa’s vibrant, tech-driven future.
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