Ektico on Building the Invisible Revolution of Embedded Finance

Economic Insider Staff on June 3, 2025

By: SEO Mavens

You heard the term embedded finance everywhere in the financial world for good reason. This is not just a buzzword; it’s a fundamental shift in how financial services are delivered. It’s the silent revolution of banking being made ubiquitous, seamless, and, frankly, invisible. This is not a disruption; this is what the future will inevitably look like, and at Ektico, we are building out the infrastructure to make it possible.

Financial services have too long been operating in silos. You do a “bank thing” — you go apply for a loan. Or another “bank thing” — go pay a bill. In each of these, it’s a separate, often clunky, interaction. Just imagine what you do every day: buying a car means insurance; if you book a flight, you may need travel insurance; if you have a business, you need invoicing and payment solutions when running it. These financial needs are not isolated; rather, they are part and parcel of the core activity you do.

That’s what the tide is turning on. Embedded finance takes that in. It’s the integration of financial services into non-financial platforms, right where they are needed. Imagine that your new appliance purchase can be financed directly on the product page with instant approval, or travel insurance is part of the package for travel rental booking, instead of a separate website visit to get insurance. Invoicing, payment collection, and even short-term lending can be seamlessly integrated and incorporated into the business services which they already use on a day-to-day basis.

It’s not just for convenience; it’s for context. To embed financial services, we remove friction, remove cognitive load, and make financial decisions intuitive and timely. This is about providing financial solutions where and when it makes sense in the journey of the customer, seamlessly blended into the wider experience, rather than something that is a chore to sideline.

The Disruption of Traditional Models

The traditional financial model doesn’t work on the aspects of agility and integration. Legacy systems and processes don’t exist to serve the rapid, contextual delivery that embedded finance requires, and building that infrastructure requires incumbent institutions to break out of their legacy. Some are adapting; many are still playing catch-up.

It is here that fintech innovators like Ektico truly thrive and have emerged to enable both national and small businesses to flourish. We are legacy infrastructure-free. We start with platforms we build from the ground up, and they’re built for seamless API integration, made to partner with organizations across industries — e-commerce to healthcare to logistics. Thanks to this, we enable them to offer their own branded financial services.

Shaping the Financial Landscape of Tomorrow

Ektico regards itself as a driver and architect of this invisible revolution. We provide the robust, secure, and flexible infrastructure so any business can become a financial services provider. With our modular platform, we help businesses quickly integrate and launch new financial products without needing to go through a lot of development. Constructing customized solutions which suit our partners’ branding and specific needs is what we focus on. We also streamline a complex regulatory landscape and deliver best-in-class compliance and security so that our partners can stay laser-focused on what they do best. Embedded finance also means being at the point of interaction, creating data-driven and therefore personalized offerings, as well as improved customer experiences.

We expect that in the not-too-distant future, the concept of ‘going to a bank’ will become quite old-fashioned. Financial services will just be there, woven into the fabric of your digital life, accessible as you need them, when you need them, and where you need them. Embedded finance is the future, and at Ektico, we are not just watching this shift happen; we are constructing the tools and partnerships to make it feasible for businesses and customers into the future. It’s not where you go for money in the future of finance; it’s how money gets to you.

Investing in Girls, Securing the Future: The Global Economic Case for Africa’s 10MAG Campaign

Economic Insider Staff on June 3, 2025

In a world shaped by rapid demographic shifts, rising economic inequality, and the accelerating impact of climate change, few investments appear to carry as much potential for long-term benefit as the education and empowerment of girls. That is the central idea behind the 10 Million African Girls campaign, or 10MAG, a sweeping initiative launched in March 2025 by Simi Nwogugu, the CEO of JA Africa.

While the campaign is rooted in Africa, its influence extends globally. As the world economy continues to navigate the aftershocks of geopolitical instability, inflation, and supply chain realignment, the untapped potential of African youth stands out as a valuable resource. By 2050, Africa is expected to account for nearly one quarter of the world’s population. With over 60 percent of its current population under 25, Africa is not only the youngest continent but also increasingly pivotal to the global labor force of the future.

Yet girls across the continent often remain disproportionately excluded from economic life. In many regions, fewer than one in three girls completes high school. Child marriage, adolescent pregnancies, and limited access to healthcare, technology, and capital leave millions without the necessary tools to participate fully in formal economies. These systemic challenges affect individuals and also create significant constraints on national productivity and global growth.

This is where 10MAG aims to make a difference.

Spearheaded by Nwogugu and supported by JA Africa’s expansive network across 23 countries, 10MAG is a campaign with a clear mission: to equip ten million African girls by 2050 with the skills, knowledge, and mentorship that can help them become entrepreneurs, leaders, and economic changemakers. The campaign offers targeted training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and climate resilience. It is not only focused on awareness or temporary access but is designed to foster measurable outcomes.

Its first official cohort, 52 girls from seven African countries, graduated from JA Africa’s LEAD Camp earlier this year in Ghana. These girls are the inaugural members of a growing network intended to support African girls not only through education but through active engagement in Africa’s emerging economic sectors.

The timing of 10MAG is significant. According to the World Bank, advancing gender equality in Africa could contribute over 300 billion dollars in economic growth by 2025. The cost of exclusion could be even higher. When girls are denied opportunities to participate in the labor market, nations may miss out on potential innovation, productivity, and consumer spending.

Nwogugu, a Harvard MBA and globally recognized advocate for youth development, emphasizes that the 10MAG campaign is designed as an economic model rather than a charity. The girls trained by 10MAG are envisioned as future founders, policy advocates, and social entrepreneurs, equipped to address the challenges of their communities using business and civic tools.

10MAG also integrates sustainability into its core approach. In partnership with the UN Environment Program, JA Africa has launched initiatives like the Plastic Tide Turners Challenge, which encourages youth to become environmental stewards and climate leaders. This kind of holistic education is particularly important on a continent already experiencing substantial impacts from global warming despite contributing minimally to its causes.

For global markets, especially in North America, Europe, and Asia, the implications are becoming increasingly clear. Africa is positioned to be a cornerstone of economic growth in the coming decades. Supporting equitable development there is not only an act of goodwill but also a strategic consideration — a way to help address potential future labor shortages, foster innovation, and open access to emerging markets. Campaigns like 10MAG represent scalable development models that aim to center inclusion without compromising sustainability or economic rigor.

Nwogugu’s campaign also presents an intriguing opportunity for impact investment. Currently, women-led startups receive only a small fraction of venture funding in Africa. By investing early in the pipeline, 10MAG works to prepare its participants to become more bankable and investable over time. For those looking to diversify their portfolios while contributing to global development, the campaign offers a meaningful entry point.

At a time when much of the world faces stagnant growth, strained public budgets, and declining birth rates, Africa stands out for its vitality and potential. However, this future is less likely to be fully realized unless girls are included at the heart of the conversation.

10MAG is a solution grounded in data, energized by community, and scaled through strategic planning. While the campaign focuses on girls, its impact is shared by the entire world. As Nwogugu observes, “Africa is unlikely to reach its full potential if half of its youth remain marginalized. When investments are made in girls, the benefits extend toward greater stability, growth, and a fairer global economy.”

To learn more about the 10MAG campaign, visit www.10MAG.org.

Steps to Fix Unresponsive or Frozen Screens on Devices

Economic Insider Staff 2 on June 3, 2025

Dealing with a frozen or unresponsive screen on a device can be frustrating. Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or computer, a frozen screen can interrupt productivity and cause unnecessary stress. However, in many cases, these issues are temporary and can be resolved with a few simple troubleshooting steps. This article explores practical methods to repair unresponsive or frozen screens, helping individuals regain control of their devices with ease.

Understanding Why Screens Freeze or Become Unresponsive

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand why screens freeze or become unresponsive in the first place. A variety of factors can contribute to a device’s screen freezing, including software glitches, overloaded memory, or an excessive number of running apps. Devices often struggle when they have too many tasks running simultaneously, leading to a temporary freeze or lag in response time. Hardware malfunctions, such as a damaged screen or battery issues, may also cause unresponsiveness. However, more often than not, freezing screens can be attributed to software or temporary system overload.

Now that the root causes are understood, let’s explore some of the steps to take when faced with a frozen screen.

Basic Troubleshooting Methods for Frozen Screens

When a device’s screen becomes unresponsive, the first step is often the simplest: restarting the device. Powering off and on can resolve many common issues, allowing the system to reset and refresh its internal processes. On most devices, holding down the power button for several seconds will prompt the option to restart or force a shutdown. In cases where the device is completely unresponsive, forcing a shutdown may be necessary by holding down the power button for an extended period, usually around 10 seconds.

Once the device restarts, it’s important to check if the issue has been resolved. If the device responds normally, there’s a good chance that the freezing was a temporary glitch. However, if the problem persists, it may require more in-depth troubleshooting.

Freezing Due to Overloaded Memory or Apps

Another common cause of a frozen screen is an overload of active apps or too much data in the device’s memory. If the device is running many applications in the background or has too many files taking up storage space, it can slow down and even freeze. To address this, users should close unnecessary apps or programs that are consuming resources. On mobile devices, this can often be done by accessing the task manager and swiping away any open apps.

For devices like computers or tablets, users can also manage storage by deleting or moving large files to external storage options. Checking for app updates and deleting unused apps can also help clear out space. Additionally, ensuring the operating system is up to date can prevent conflicts or bugs that cause the screen to freeze.

If the device continues to freeze after managing apps and storage, it may be time to consider clearing the device’s cache. Cached data, while useful for speeding up processes, can sometimes cause issues if it becomes too large or corrupted. Clearing the cache can free up space and eliminate any temporary data that might be interfering with the system’s performance.

Advanced Solutions for Persistent Issues

If a device remains unresponsive after basic troubleshooting, there are more advanced solutions to consider. One of the next steps is performing a factory reset. A factory reset restores the device to its original settings, effectively erasing all data, apps, and customizations. While this can be a more time-consuming option, it’s often effective in resolving persistent software issues.

Before performing a factory reset, it’s important to back up any critical data, such as photos, documents, and contacts. A factory reset is typically available in the device’s settings under “Backup and Reset” or “Restore Factory Settings.” Once the reset is complete, the device should be free from any software conflicts that could be causing the screen to freeze.

In some cases, particularly with older devices or those showing physical signs of wear and tear, hardware failure may be the underlying cause. Damaged screens, faulty batteries, or other hardware issues may prevent the device from responding properly. If a device shows persistent freezing or unresponsiveness despite all troubleshooting efforts, it might be time to consult a professional technician for repairs or replacement parts.

Preventive Measures to Avoid Future Screen Freezes

While troubleshooting can resolve many issues, taking preventive measures can help avoid future screen freezes. Regular maintenance, such as keeping the device’s software up to date, managing storage space, and clearing the cache periodically, can prevent issues from arising. Avoiding the overload of apps and ensuring that the device is not operating under extreme conditions, such as excessive heat or cold, can also help maintain its functionality.

Regularly restarting the device helps clear out temporary files and refresh the system. Additionally, for mobile devices, it’s essential to manage app permissions and ensure that apps do not use excessive resources or drain the battery too quickly. By staying on top of these maintenance tasks, users can reduce the likelihood of encountering frozen screens in the future.

Experiencing a frozen or unresponsive screen can be a frustrating interruption, but it’s often a problem that can be easily resolved with the right troubleshooting steps. Restarting the device, managing apps and storage, and performing more advanced solutions, such as a factory reset, can help resolve the issue. Preventing future freezing involves regular maintenance and careful management of device resources. By understanding these steps, users can keep their devices running smoothly and avoid potential disruptions caused by frozen screens.