Category: News Gallery

Posted on by

Breaking Barriers: 30 Inspirational Women Shaping the Future of Fintech in Africa

Breaking Barriers: 30 Inspirational Women Shaping the Future of Fintech in Africa

The fintech space in Africa is growing rapidly, with the sector raising over $1.4 billion in funding in 2022.

Over the years, the region has emerged as a hotbed of innovation and progress, thanks to the relentless efforts of visionary women who are revolutionizing the financial landscape.

 

This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including the increasing availability of mobile internet, the growing middle class, and the need for financial services that are more accessible and affordable.

One can scarcely imagine the African fintech landscape without the tireless contributions of a number of trailblazing women who have helped reshape the narrative of Africa’s technological potential, paving the way for an era of financial prosperity and economic empowerment.

 

These women have shattered glass ceilings and challenged norms, proving that there are no boundaries when it comes to creativity, resilience, and ambition. Their dedication to creating transformative solutions has not only facilitated financial inclusion for millions but also paved the way for sustainable economic growth and social progress.

“We are delighted to partner with ISA to support the development of solar energy in Africa,” said Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50. “This partnership will help to accelerate the deployment of solar energy in Africa and improve the lives of millions of Africans,” he added.

Empower Africa shines a spotlight on 30 who have fearlessly navigated the fintech realm, paving the way for inclusivity, accessibility, and economic empowerment across the African continent.

1. Nkiru Amadi-Emina – Founder of Pivo

2. Ife Durosinmi-Etti – CEO of Herconomy

3. Oluwatosin Olaseinde – Founder of Money Africa

4. Fara Ashiru Jituboh – Founder of Okra

5. Martha Dali Mghendi-Fisher – Founder of African Women in FinTech & Payments (AWFP)

6. Maelis Carraro – Managing Partner at Catalyst Fund

7. Delila Kidanu – Co-Founder at Koa Technology

8. Odunayo Eweniyi – Co-Founder at PiggyVest

9. Tebogo Mokwena – Founder and CEO of Akiba Digital

10. Nelly Chatue-Diop – Founder of Ejara

11. Tomilola Majekodunmi – Co-Founder/CEO at Bankly

12. Meghan McCormick – CEO & Co-founder of OZÉ

13. Hilda Moraa – Founder & CEO of Pezesha

14. Jess Anuna – Founder & CEO at Klasha

15. Abigail Komu – Okonji – Consultant, Digital, Financial & Gender Inclusion at Mosi Africa Solutions

16. Mariéme Ndiaye – Director, Merchant Sales and Acquiring, West and Central Africa Visa CEMEA

17. Faith Nkatha Gitonga – Board Member, TechnoServe

18. Nika Naghavi – Group Head of Growth at MFS Africa

19. Mélanie Keïta – Climate Fintech Founder & CEO @Melanin Kapital

20. Sharon Karuga Kinyanjui – Principal Consultant, Diaspora Bridges Advisory

21. Zeituna Mustafa – Country Coordinator, United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)

22. Lebo Mokgabudi – Financial Inclusion @ IFC

23. Patricia Zoundi Epse Yao – Founder,  KIFFPAY-CI

24. Folasade Femi-Lawal – Digital Payment Expert

25. Rose Muturi – Managing Director, East Africa at Branch International

26. Thea Sokolowski – Head of Marketing at Stitch

27. Margaret Ondeng – Product Director @Peach Payments

28. Wachera Muriu – Co-Founder of KopaCent

29. Hayley Hopwood – CRO at Paystack

30. Mariam Cassim – Chief Executive Officer: Financial and Digital Services at Vodacom Group

You may also like...

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Hillel’s Tech Corner: Empower Africa

Israeli firm launches business network in Rwanda:

Share on facebook
Share on linkedin
Share on twitter

Tel Aviv, Israel – OCTOBER 29, 2020:

A team of entrepreneurs and business people under Israel based Empower Africa this week launched its business network platform in Kigali.

The aim, they say, is to collaborate with their Rwandan counterparts in different business sectors to drive economic growth and transformation in Africa.

Empower Africa, founded by Ezi Rapaport, the son of Israel-based businessman Martin Rapaport, facilitates investment and trade in Africa.

“I thank the government of Rwanda for keeping the country open for business by allowing people to visit the country,” Caleb Zipperstein, one of the members said during a business networking event in Kigali.

Zipperstein described Empower Africa as a “trusted business community that seeks to collaborate with Rwandans and Africans across the continent” to forge partnerships for business.

At glance, the organization announced it was partnering with the Israel Embassy in Rwanda to launch an innovation hub.

“The innovation hub will bring together Israel and Rwandan entrepreneurs to build lasting companies with innovative solutions that will help the rest of the world,” Zipperstein noted.

Israel is globally renowned as being the “start-up nation” and is the world leader for number of start-ups per capita.

The country has at least 6,000 active startups and an economy dominated by industrial high-tech and entrepreneurship, according to Deloitte, a global accounting firm.

The world’s leading multinational companies have all chosen Israel: Microsoft, Motorola, Google, Apple, Facebook, Berkshire-Hathaway, Intel, HP, Siemens, GE, IBM, Philips, Lucent, Cisco, Applied Materials, IBM, J&J, and Toshiba are just some of the names in a long list of over 200 multinationals who realized that Israel is their ideal investment opportunity.

Many multinational corporations such as Tata, Kodak, and Citi Bank have established innovation centers in Israel.

Ron Adam, Israel Ambassador in Rwanda said they want to bring their experience to Rwanda. “Very soon we are going to open an innovation hub. The main idea is to bring Israel entrepreneurs and companies to do a proof of concept.”

Adam highlighted that the ultimate goal is to do business and empower local innovators, insisting that Rwanda is a good place to do business.

He however emphasised the need to let people fail if the country wants to create a pool innovative minds.

“There is a need to let people dare, let them fail. Don’t ask them to do something in one year, and if they don’t achieve it you think they are doomed,” he argued.

That is exactly how Israel was able to become a base for disruptive innovations, according to the ambassador.

“The vision (in Rwanda) is already there but we should let people try their hands and think outside the box. That’s a foundation of innovation,” he noted.

Rwanda is already home to Israel companies such as Motorola,

Businessman Emery Rubagenga believes partnerships with countries like Israel are key to driving business sector in Rwanda.

“Strategic partnerships are key, I believe and a country like Israel is unbelievably a role model when it comes to innovation,” he said during the event.

Rubagenga emphasised that Rwanda has an opportunity to work with Israel because the two have a lot in common.

“We have a lot in common – the history and philosophy, which is the entrepreneurial mindset,” he noted.

When President Paul Kagame visited Israel in July 2017 he invited Israeli investors and firms looking to enter the Rwandan market, saying the country was ripe for investments.

Media Contact:
info@empowerafrica.com

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Israeli firm launches business network in Rwanda

resource center

Israeli firm launches business network in Rwanda:

Tel Aviv, Israel – OCTOBER 29, 2020:

A team of entrepreneurs and business people under Israel based Empower Africa this week launched its business network platform in Kigali.

The aim, they say, is to collaborate with their Rwandan counterparts in different business sectors to drive economic growth and transformation in Africa.

Empower Africa, founded by Ezi Rapaport, the son of Israel-based businessman Martin Rapaport, facilitates investment and trade in Africa.

“I thank the government of Rwanda for keeping the country open for business by allowing people to visit the country,” Caleb Zipperstein, one of the members said during a business networking event in Kigali.

Zipperstein described Empower Africa as a “trusted business community that seeks to collaborate with Rwandans and Africans across the continent” to forge partnerships for business.

At glance, the organization announced it was partnering with the Israel Embassy in Rwanda to launch an innovation hub.

“The innovation hub will bring together Israel and Rwandan entrepreneurs to build lasting companies with innovative solutions that will help the rest of the world,” Zipperstein noted.

Israel is globally renowned as being the “start-up nation” and is the world leader for number of start-ups per capita.

The country has at least 6,000 active startups and an economy dominated by industrial high-tech and entrepreneurship, according to Deloitte, a global accounting firm.

The world’s leading multinational companies have all chosen Israel: Microsoft, Motorola, Google, Apple, Facebook, Berkshire-Hathaway, Intel, HP, Siemens, GE, IBM, Philips, Lucent, Cisco, Applied Materials, IBM, J&J, and Toshiba are just some of the names in a long list of over 200 multinationals who realized that Israel is their ideal investment opportunity.

Many multinational corporations such as Tata, Kodak, and Citi Bank have established innovation centers in Israel.

Ron Adam, Israel Ambassador in Rwanda said they want to bring their experience to Rwanda. “Very soon we are going to open an innovation hub. The main idea is to bring Israel entrepreneurs and companies to do a proof of concept.”

Adam highlighted that the ultimate goal is to do business and empower local innovators, insisting that Rwanda is a good place to do business.

He however emphasised the need to let people fail if the country wants to create a pool innovative minds.

“There is a need to let people dare, let them fail. Don’t ask them to do something in one year, and if they don’t achieve it you think they are doomed,” he argued.

That is exactly how Israel was able to become a base for disruptive innovations, according to the ambassador.

“The vision (in Rwanda) is already there but we should let people try their hands and think outside the box. That’s a foundation of innovation,” he noted.

Rwanda is already home to Israel companies such as Motorola,

Businessman Emery Rubagenga believes partnerships with countries like Israel are key to driving business sector in Rwanda.

“Strategic partnerships are key, I believe and a country like Israel is unbelievably a role model when it comes to innovation,” he said during the event.

Rubagenga emphasised that Rwanda has an opportunity to work with Israel because the two have a lot in common.

“We have a lot in common – the history and philosophy, which is the entrepreneurial mindset,” he noted.

When President Paul Kagame visited Israel in July 2017 he invited Israeli investors and firms looking to enter the Rwandan market, saying the country was ripe for investments.

Media Contact:
info@empowerafrica.com