Episode 13: Building Resilient Tech Ecosystems in Emerging Markets (January 2026)

January 13, 2026 Matteo Rizzi Breaking Banks Africa 0:31:13 Comments Off on Episode 13: Building Resilient Tech Ecosystems in Emerging Markets (January 2026)

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In this episode of Breaking Banks Africa, host Matteo Rizzi interviews Martin Labbé, a development and tech ecosystem specialist at the International Trade Centre (ITC). Labbé shares his journey from marketing and trade promotion into global tech ecosystem development, focusing on emerging markets across Africa. The conversation explores how ITC supports entrepreneurship by strengthening innovation ecosystems rather than directly financing startups. Key themes include the importance of connecting startups with investors, building trust among ecosystem actors, and prioritizing sustainable business models driven by customers rather than grants. Labbé highlights structural challenges in African startup ecosystems, such as limited venture capital outside major markets and entrepreneurs’ overreliance on competitions and funding programs. He advocates longer investment timelines, alternative funding models, and venture-studio approaches adapted to frontier markets. Ultimately, sustainable ecosystems emerge when local institutions, investors, and entrepreneurs collaborate effectively, enabling startups to scale internationally and reducing dependency on development aid.

Author, Co-Founder of FTS Group, BBE Executive Producer
About the Author
Matteo Rizzi is an unconventional entrepreneur with two decades of experience in Financial Services, constantly referred amongst the top executives in the industry. He spent 13 years at SWIFT - where he co-founded Innotribe, the innovation arm of the cooperative, launching the first global startup challenge. Since 2013, he has had a FinTech Investor and/or Venture Partner role with global VCs and CVCs (20+ deals, 5 exits). In 2015, he co-founded FinTechStage (FTSGroup.eu) - a platform for Investors and Innovators to boost FinTech innovation globally. In 2019, Matteo founded Timepledge a global initiative to foster financial inclusion and entrepreneurship. In 2025, Matteo aligned FTS and Timepledge’s into a single mission and founded the African Talent Academy. In 2019, he also launched Breaking Banks Europe (as the Executive Producer) and in 2025 the spin-off Breaking Banks Africa. In 2023, he was appointed Senior Advisor for Elevandi (MAS) now GFTN.com. He is the author of "The FinTech Revolution" and "Talents & Rebels" and is fluent in 5 languages. X:https://twitter.com/matteorizzi Website: https://matteorizzi.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matteorizziofficial Linkedln:https://www.linkedin.com/in/matteorizzi/ Provoke: https://provoke.fm/author/matteo/
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