Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
NCFA Release | May 28, 2025

Canada-Africa Fintech Summit Aug 5-8, 2025 x NCFA
Toronto, ON – May 28, 2025 – The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA) is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the inaugural Canada-Africa Fintech Summit (CAFS), taking place from August 5 to 8, 2025, at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel in downtown Toronto. This groundbreaking event will bring together fintech leaders, investors, policymakers, startups, and ecosystem builders from across Canada and the African continent to accelerate cross-border collaboration, mobilize capital, and drive inclusive innovation.
The strategic partnership aims to drive cross-border fintech growth, innovation, capital, and advance policy discussions and comes at a pivotal moment, following the release of Canada’s official Canada-Africa Strategy, which outlines a renewed commitment to building economic ties, investment, and digital cooperation between the two regions.
Africa’s fintech sector is experiencing explosive growth and global recognition. The continent has become a proving ground for digital financial innovation and a growing magnet for global capital. Here’s why it matters:
The infrastructure, capital, and consumer demand are already in place. While only a few fintechs currently operate at scale across both Canada and Africa, the opportunity is open. Now is the time for founders, investors, and policymakers to turn this into a two-way fintech bridge, and CAFS 2025 is where that future takes shape.
NCFA is working closely with CAFS organizers to help shape a dynamic agenda that connects Canadian fintechs and investors to growth opportunities in Africa while also supporting African fintechs looking to enter the Canadian market and tap into its innovation ecosystem.
Craig Asano, NCFA Founder and CEO:
“CAFS 2025 represents a historic opportunity to connect two of the most innovative and entrepreneurial fintech ecosystems. We’re excited to support a platform that brings together the talent, tools, and investment needed to build truly global ventures.”
Lots more speakers confirmed and more to come. Full agenda coming soon.
Dr. Segun Aina, President of the African Fintech Network and CAFS Co-Convenor:
“This isn’t just another fintech event—it’s a catalyst for shared opportunity. We’re fostering the relationships and strategies needed to scale inclusive fintech solutions across continents.”
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About NCFA Canada
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA) is a global fintech association based in Canada that champions financial innovation and supports a vibrant fintech ecosystem through education, market intelligence, advocacy, and strategic partnerships. NCFA works with startups, investors, regulators, and stakeholders across fintech, web3, blockchain, crypto, AI, open banking, and alternative finance to drive inclusive growth and real-world impact.
About the Canada-Africa Fintech Summit (CAFS)
The Canada-Africa Fintech Summit (CAFS) is a global platform connecting fintech leaders, investors, startups, and policymakers from Canada and Africa. Focused on collaboration, investment, and innovation, CAFS accelerates scalable fintech solutions and sustainable economic growth. The 2025 edition in Toronto marks the Summit’s inaugural launch.
Inquiries:
Craig Asano
Founder and CEO, NCFA Canada
casano@ncfacanada.org
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Fintech Data Research and Strategy | May 25, 2025

Image created by AI, Personas based on real data from 2024 Financial Lives, FCA
Four FCA personas reveal where fintech innovation must go next
On May 16, 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published one of the richest datasets ever on UK consumer financial behaviour, resilience, and preferences called, "Financial Lives 2024 survey". It's an annual snapshot taken ever 2-3 years and offers valuable benchmarks and insights into how financial institutions, fintechs and financial engineers can translate this data into strategy.
There are 18 excel sheets with various tabs covering survey responses for almost 1300 survey questions pertaining to a wide range of topics such as attitudes and product/service ownership of payments, retail banking, consumer investments, general insurance and protection, mortgages, credits and loans, assets and debts, cash savings, advice/guidance and pension. There's also tracker data tables for comparing and analyzing changes over time across 2017, 2020, 2020 and 2024 surveys.
Drawing directly from the FCA 2024 Financial Lives survey results, we created 4 personas that reveal who is underserved, gaps in the ecosystem, and where fintechs, banks, and credit unions should consider focusing on to rebuild trust and relevance.
Amira is a young adult struggling with inconsistent income from various gigs, rising living costs, and a heavy reliance on credit. She is digitally active but financially stretched and uncertain as to who she can trust. Survey data shows:
Fintechs should build real-time tools that show all credit and BNPL use in one place, including spending limits, that help users like Amira avoid taking on more debt than they can handle. Adding clear, user-led budgeting flows into existing BNPL workflows can help bridge shortfalls and help build trust with transparency.
Stella is an older consumer who likes to avoid debt, prefers analog channels, and feels underserved by digitally native services. She values trust and simplicity highly and struggles to access new tools. Survey data shows:
Financial institutions should consider creating hybrid formats that combine print materials with digital access points, such as QR codes linking to audio summaries. ESG and pension tools can be made more accessible with phone helplines and in-branch tutorials to help consumers who lack confidence to gain confidence and fill in comprehension gaps.
Rohan is a confident, digitally native, and actively manages savings, investments, and often finds himself switching providers to maximize value. He expects clarity, ESG transparency, and integrated experiences.
Rohan needs a unified dashboard that lets him integrate his finances across pension, savings, and ESG investments. Fintechs can lead here by offering smart comparison tools that verify impact metrics, automate vendor switching, and offer ESG guidance within the same experience.
John is a middle-aged adult that is juggling aging kids, debt, complex commitments, and low financial resilience. He is time-poor, questions everything, and is stuck with outdated, fragmented financial tools. The survey shows:
Institutions must prioritize credit and debt consolidation tools for this segment by offering personalized paths and support towards financial recovery. Embedding phone or online chat support into their digital journeys can help reduce friction, while demonstrating quick wins to build confidence and encourage engagement.
We've come up with the following table that matches the 4 personas with specific fintech strategies tailored to their behaviours, needs, and gaps, all based on the FCA's 2024 financial lives data, and to support product design, channel strategy, and business model decisions.
| Persona | Product Opportunity | Channel Strategy | Business Model Insight | Ecosystem Gap |
| Amira – Young Borrower | BNPL budgeting + affordability | Mobile-first, embedded in BNPL apps | Freemium with affiliate links to trusted debt tools | Risk-aware BNPL integrations |
| Stella – Conservative Saver | Print-to-digital ESG education | Branches, phone, community agents | Subscription or pay-per-use legacy planning tools | Print-digital pension guidance |
| Rohan – Digital Builder | ESG + switch optimizer dashboard | Self-serve, in-app investing hubs | B2C SaaS with optional robo-advice tier | ESG decision confidence |
| John – Overloaded Middle | Modular savings + credit coach | Web app + human phone fallback | Hybrid subscription + nonprofit partnership model | Blended digital advice models |
Each of the 4 personas created actually represents thousands of real individuals and their financial lives in 2024, caught between fragmented services and changing financial needs.
The profiles above are designed to help fintechs and institutions develop a targeted roadmap based on clearly defined, data-driven groups with targeted solutions, to help provide responsible and more inclusively designed financial products/services for underserved groups in need. A similar survey in Canada would probably produce similar results.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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May 21, 2025

Image: Freepik/zaozaa09
In today’s business, customer relationships are of utmost importance. Indeed, the proper choice of CRM (Customer Relationship Management) can make a difference. It assists in analyzing leads, selling effectively, and increasing clients’ satisfaction. But here’s the catch: top-tier CRMs can be pricey. And that is the reason for financing.
Are you aware that 91% of organizations with over 10 employees now use CRM systems in the United States? And it’s paying off. Businesses using CRM software see an average of $8.71 in benefits for every dollar invested. However, many small—to mid-sized companies are reluctant to incorporate cloud computing strategies due to the initial associated costs.
What if you didn’t have to break the bank to find the right CRM? Today, more than ever, funding solutions exist to facilitate the acquisition of a tool that expands a company’s horizons. It is expected that in 2025, even more companies from the USA will use CRM that includes AI features to grow their business.
Bringing a suitable example, in 2024, Magnolia Payday Loans achieved remarkable growth, increasing their business by an impressive 67% thanks to the strategic adoption of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. By implementing CRM, Magnolia Payday Loans streamlined customer interactions, improved service personalization, and improved overall efficiency. The system allowed them to understand better customer needs, track loan applications, and offer tailored solutions.
Reading this article, you will understand how to optimize your ROI and how financing the right CRM can revolutionize your business. Whether you’re a start-up or in the growth phase, the time comes to see how good financial management today will pay off in the future. Let’s get started.
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is a powerful tool for business growth. It helps companies manage interactions with current and potential customers. Here’s how CRM can boost your business:
CRM stores all customer data in one place. You can track your customers' likes, buying habits, and needs. With this info, you can personalize your offers and improve customer experience.
CRM helps you stay in touch with clients by tracking their preferences and interactions. Regular follow-ups, personalized emails, and timely responses make customers feel valued.
CRM helps streamline sales processes. It allows you to identify high-value leads and prioritize them. With all sales data at your fingertips, sales teams can close deals faster and more effectively.
With CRM, teams can share customer information across departments. This ensures everyone is on the same page and knows the customer's journey, whether in marketing, sales, or support.
CRM helps you segment customers based on their interests and behavior. This makes it easier to run targeted marketing campaigns that are more likely to convert.
CRM tools can automate repetitive tasks like sending follow-up emails or scheduling meetings. This saves time and allows employees to focus on more important tasks.
CRM gives you insights through reports and analytics. These can help you spot trends, measure performance, and make informed decisions to improve strategies.
Keeping existing customers is cheaper than gaining new ones. CRM helps improve customer satisfaction by addressing issues quickly and maintaining strong relationships.
A good CRM facilitates team collaboration. It allows employees from different departments to work together smoothly and provides a seamless customer experience.
As your business grows, CRM grows with you. You can add new features, integrate other tools, and scale your customer management system to fit your needs.
Depending on company size, implementing CRM costs a company, on average, between $25,000 and $500,000 for purchasing the software and the basic setup. Small businesses must part with anything between $10,000 and $50,000, while big companies could spend even more.
The primary costs include software acquisition, product modification, user education, and maintenance. They indicate that the additional customization of a CRM system for business requirements would take an additional $20,000 – 50,000. The next cost is human resources training – you should budget between $1,000 to $5,000 per worker.
The other major expense is data migration. Shifting existing data to the new CRM system can cost as much as $5,000 to $30,000.
Surveying in 2024, 60% of companies replied that they realized their costs of implementing the CRM tool were higher than they initially anticipated. Again, 75% of the cost notes that it enhances customer relations, and 50% report an upturn in sales during the first half year.
Financing can be a game changer for businesses implementing a CRM system. A good CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system helps you organize customer data, track sales, and improve communication. However, CRM systems can be expensive, especially for small businesses. This is where financing comes in.
Instead of paying upfront for the entire system, businesses can get a loan or choose a payment plan. This spreads out the cost over time, making it easier to manage cash flow. Financing lets businesses get the CRM they need without breaking the bank.
For many companies, financing also means access to better systems. With the right loan, businesses can afford a CRM with advanced features that might have been out of reach. This can help with sales automation, marketing tools, and customer service management, essential for growing a business.
Another advantage is that financing options often have low interest rates, making the investment more affordable in the long run. Some companies also offer special deals, like deferred payments or no interest for the first few months, making starting even easier.
In short, financing allows businesses to invest in a CRM system now and pay later. This helps improve efficiency, enhance customer relationships, and ultimately grow the business without the stress of upfront costs.
Here are some tips to maximize ROI after CRM implementation:
Financing the right CRM system is a strategic investment that can significantly boost your business's efficiency, customer engagement, and overall profitability. By carefully selecting a CRM that aligns with your specific needs, you can streamline operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and maximize your return on investment. However, the success of your CRM investment doesn’t stop at implementation.
It's crucial to monitor and measure its impact continually. Regularly assess key metrics such as customer retention rates, sales performance, and user adoption to gauge the effectiveness of your CRM. Additionally, collecting feedback from your team and customers will provide valuable insights into areas for improvement, ensuring that your CRM evolves with your business. By tracking your CRM’s performance consistently, you can ensure it continues to drive growth and deliver tangible results.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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