The Head of Strategy and Enablement at Stanbic Bank, Darwin Mireku, has called for a more balanced approach to digital lending across Africa. Speaking at the 3i Africa Summit 2026, he stressed that sustainability and positive customer outcomes must remain at the center of financial innovation. During a panel discussion on the topic, “Access vs. Protection: The Next Chapter of Financial Health in Africa,” Mireku said the rapid growth of digital credit services across the continent presents both significant opportunities and emerging risks that industry players must address collectively. According to him, expanding access to credit alone should not become the sole measure of success for financial institutions and fintech platforms operating within Africa’s evolving digital finance landscape. We all understand the importance of access to financing for economies like ours. However, as the industry evolves, better customer outcomes must become central to what we do instead of simply i...