Hello Reader,
Happy new month. And for everyone who celebrated, happy Easter.
We hope you got some rest.
The year has already picked up speed, and now we are in Q2. For a lot of founders, this is where the pressure starts to feel real. Plans become targets. Ideas start to feel like they should already be something.
So this might be a good time to pause for a second.
Not to slow down. Just to check the direction.
That urgency is familiar. Every new month, every new quarter, something in us wants to move. To start. To build. To finally do the thing.
And that energy is good. But without direction, it can lead you straight into building the wrong thing.
Because most founders don't fall in love with a problem, they fall in love with an idea.
It sounds good. It makes sense. It feels like something people should want.
But "should" is where the problem starts.
Many ideas are built on assumptions that feel obvious but have not been tested. And the most dangerous assumption of all is this: that because a problem exists, people will pay to have it solved.
Back in February, we promised to go deeper on how to find a problem worth solving. Let's get into that now.
Most founders are solving the wrong problem
Here is what that looks like in real life.
Someone notices that small traders in their city don't use digital payments. So they build a payments app. Six months later, barely anyone is using it. Not because the problem doesn't exist, but because those traders weren't actually looking for a payments app. They were dealing with distrust of banks, unreliable internet, and customers who simply preferred cash. The problem was more layered than it appeared.
This happens all the time.
The difference between a real problem and an assumed one
A real problem is something people are actively struggling with, right now, in their daily lives or work. You can find it by listening, not by theorising.
An assumed problem is something that looks like a gap from the outside but may not actually be painful enough for people to seek a solution, let alone pay for one.
The fastest way to tell the difference? Go and talk to people.
Not to pitch them. Not to validate your idea. Just to understand their world.
Ask them what slows them down. Ask what they've tried. Ask what they wish existed. Then be quiet and listen.
You will hear things that no amount of desk research or brainstorming can surface.
The question that changes everything
Once you think you've found a real problem, ask yourself this: how are people currently dealing with it?
If they are spending money, time, or energy on a workaround, even a messy and inefficient one, that tells you something important. The problem is painful enough that people are already trying to solve it themselves. That's a good sign.
If people have simply accepted the situation and moved on, that's a signal worth paying attention to. Not every frustration becomes a business opportunity.
And then, be honest about the money
Africa is full of real problems. But not every real problem can anchor a sustainable business, and that's an important distinction to make early.
Before you go too far, ask: Can the people experiencing this problem actually afford to pay for a solution? And are there enough of them?
You don't need a perfect answer at this stage. But you need an honest one.
A meaningful problem with no financially viable market is a charity project, not a startup. Both are valuable, but they require different models.
This is the work that happens before the building. It is slower, less exciting, and not as visible as launching a product. But founders who do it well save themselves months, sometimes years, of building in the wrong direction.
We'll keep going deeper on this with you.
Here's to a strong Q2.
The TAI Foundation Team
P.S. If you are wondering why this newsletter now comes from a different name, you may have missed our March newsletter. TAI Foundation (Transform Africa with Innovation) is a nonprofit born out of Mindcapital's work with African founders. Same mission. Deeper infrastructure. Bigger ambition. We're glad you're still here.
Opportunities
Applications are now open for the THRIVE Global Impact Challenge 2026, a global opportunity for early-stage startups building innovative solutions across the agri-food value chain. Selected startups can access up to $1 million in investment and gain global exposure.
Finalists will pitch at the THRIVE Global Impact Summit in Silicon Valley, connecting with investors, corporates, and industry leaders.
Apply here: https://thriveagrifood.com/thrive-global-impact-challenge-2026/
Applications are open for the Dovetail Acceleration Program, supporting early-stage African organizations driving social impact across sectors like education, health, climate, and economic development. Selected participants receive up to $30,000 in grants, alongside mentorship and capacity-building support to scale their work.
Deadline: April 28, 2026
Apply here: https://dovetailimpact.org/acceleration-program
Applications are now open for the D-Prize Global Competition 2026, supporting aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs to launch ventures that distribute proven solutions to fight extreme poverty. Selected applicants receive funding and support to scale impact across sectors like health, agriculture, and livelihoods.
Early deadline: May 17, 2026
Final deadline: June 7, 2026
Apply here: https://d-prize.org/
Applications are now open for the Startup Innovation Challenge 2026, a national program supporting startups and SMEs across Nigeria with funding, mentorship, and business growth support. Participants can access over ₦100 million in prizes, AWS credits, and investor readiness opportunities.
Deadline: May 31, 2026
Apply here: https://startupabuja.com.ng/innovation-challenge
Applications are now open for the Cascador 2026 ScaleUp Programme, a 12-week hybrid accelerator supporting growth-stage founders across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa to scale their businesses and strengthen leadership. Participants gain access to expert mentorship, strategic support, and potential funding opportunities.
Deadline: June 15, 2026
Apply here: https://cascador.org/apply-now/
Video
Finding the right problem is one of the most important steps in building a meaningful business. In this video, Matthew Gira breaks down what makes a problem worth solving and how to align it with your passion to build something impactful.
