Africa Fintech Network (AFN) in its drive to connect Africa and the global community for open dialogue, build synergies and create diverse opportunities in Fintech and allied matters has set up an Advisory Council made up of highly influential business and fintech thought leaders from within and outside of Africa.
We are pleased to announce that the AFN Advisory Council was inaugurated on 18th November 2021. The members include – Andrew Davis – Ambassador for Stone & Chalk Australia; Alastair Lukies CBE – Chair of UK Fintech Alliance and Member UK Prime Minister Business Council; Prof. Bitange Ndemo – Prof of Entrepreneurship at University of Nairobi and former Permanent Secretary Kenya Ministry of Information and Communications; Prof. Ndubuisi Ekekwe – Founder Tekedia Institute; Yiting Shen – Citibank Global Head of External Network Management; Ade Ayeyemi – Group CEO, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated and Dr. Patrick Saidu Conteh – Regional Lead, Sub Sahara Africa, Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance and former Governor, Central Bank of Sierra Leone. Participants at the inauguration event included AFN Executive Board Members as well as Moyosore Odeyemi – Ernst and Young and Ladi Asuni – KPMG.
While inaugurating the Advisory Council, the AFN President Dr Segun Aina remarked that the event is significant as it marked a turning point for the future of the organization. Ali Hussein, Executive Board Member AFN and Chairman of Association of Fintechs in Kenya in his special presentation describes the current state of Fintech in Africa and the prospects for growth. A major highlight from the presentation is the increasing investment within Africa’s fintech ecosystem that is catalyzed by activities in payments, lending, savings and wealth management.
The newly inaugurated members of the Advisory Council also commented on how the AFN can position itself as the go-to institution when it comes to fintech engagements within the continent. Andrew Davis remarked that “AFN must work with regulators towards opening their minds on the positive strides that fintechs can make on the continent”. Yiting Shen mentioned the need for “learning best practices from other parts of the world and explore potential collaborations with other global actors”. As stated by Prof. Ndemo, “It is inevitable that we are experiencing new forms of financial innovations and currencies and it will be important for AFN to take up that leadership role in ensuring we can create access for more fintechs within the ecosystem”. Mr Ade Ayeyemi stated that “As a working officer of a bank, part of my role is to bridge the gap between fintechs and traditional banks because I believe it is through working together, partnership and collaboration that we can solve the problems ahead of us and I will commit my efforts to that even as a member of the council”.
Alastair Lukies CBE did highlight some of the key factors that are affecting the fintech ecosystem currently and they include; regulation, innovation, capital, talents, and lastly education. He believes the AFN can be developed and branded to be the knowledge bank of fintech education within the continent.
Moyosore Odeyemi and Ladi Asuni who represented EY and KPMG respectively mentioned that they are happy to see a development of this nature take effect at the Africa Fintech Network and that with their current support to the Nigerian fintech ecosystem through the Fintech Association of Nigeria (FintechNGR)- a key member of AFN- their institutions will equally be happy to support and contribute to the success of the Africa Fintech Network.
AFN President, Dr Segun Aina rounded up by expressing optimism that through the set up of the Advisory Council and support from the broader stakeholders, AFN will be able to further develop and showcase the enormous talents and capabilities that exist in the fintech ecosystem and Africa at large.
We are truly excited about the future.
For bios and pictures of the AFN Advisory Council members, click here