African Startups Face Reality Gap Between Global Models and Local Markets

African startups are struggling to scale due to a gap between global expectations and local realities, as highlighted by experts during a panel at GITEX Africa 2026 in Marrakech. Speakers pointed out a lack of synergy between founders, investors, and corporate clients, which hinders startups' access to buyers. They also emphasized the need to focus on profitability and sustainability rather than merely replicating models from Silicon Valley.