I am a technology executive with over 20 years of leadership and commercial experience in startups and high-growth companies in emerging markets. I have a cross-functional background in business operations, strategy, development, and implementation, with a focus on financial services, media, and distributed energy.
As the Group CEO and Co-Founder of AzamPay (payments processing) and Sarafu (e-commerce), I lead a combined team of over 180 employees across East Africa and am responsible for the overall vision, direction, and performance. Successfully grew the combined entity to cashflow-positive within 4 years exceeding $4 million in net revenue by 2024.
I also co-founded AzamPesa, the only sim-independent licensed e-money wallet in Tanzania and the fastest growing mobile payments platform in Tanzania.
I have extensive international experience in East Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East, where I have led and supported the expansion and operations of various ventures in fintech, telecommunications, media, and content, and captive power. I have also developed and managed strategic partnerships and alliances with key stakeholders, investors, and regulators, raising over $30 million in venture capital and securing multiple large contracts and deals.
I regularly undertake internal and external training programs in Negotiation, Communication and other business related topics and have been sought after as a speaker on industry and related business topics at various conferences around the world.
I hold a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, with a focus on political and economic development, and a Bachelor of Science Foreign Service from Georgetown University, with a major in international economics. I write about fintech, innovation, and emerging markets.
