- Olayinka Odeniran, co-founder of Black Women Blockchain Council (BWBC) (Nigeria)
Odeniran is a highly respected financial services risk management expert and renowned international attorney who specialises in blockchain, crypto and emerging technologies. She has over 15 years of experience in compliance and helping financial firms navigate through international regulations.
She holds an M.S. in Cybersecurity Management and Policy which she relies on to provide information assurance to financial institutions and the blockchain landscape. She now combines her passion for blockchain, cybersecurity and compliance to provide consultancy services for financial institutions.
- Imen Ayari, head of Innovation Factory, Talan Tunisia (Tunisia)
She is a Mechanical engineer from Tunisia and executive MBA graduate from the Mediterranean School of Business. The Tunisian has many years of experience working in finance and technology for multinational firms such as Ubitrade, Gltrade, Fis and Sunagrd where she founded the Sungard Byrsa Lab.
She has been the Chief Blockchain Officer and Head of Innovation Factory at Talan since 2017. As a leading blockchain and cryptocurrency expert, Imen has established and managed a number of tech organizations aimed at disseminating consistent innovations in Africa.
- Alakanani Itireleng, founder of Satoshicentre (Botswana)
Alakanani Itireleng is the founder of a blockchain hub in Botswana called ‘satoshicentre’ and co-founder of PLAAS. She works with developers to try to increase understanding of bitcoin and blockchain technology and to get developers in Botswana to use this technology to bring solutions to the problems that are faced by Africans in everyday life. The center is currently building a blockchain crowdfunding platform for start-ups in Africa.
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According to International Development Research Centre:
“Fintech solutions can potentially contribute to closing the gender gap in financial inclusion by tackling some of the barriers that women face. For example, fintech solutions are often more flexible than traditional banking services (i.e. providing closer proximity, lower transaction fees, and simpler loan application processes) and are therefore better able to account for and meet women’s individual needs. Throughout Africa, many women organize themselves in savings groups in order to informally gain access to financial services such as loans. Fintech presents an opportunity to build on these existing practices and enhance them with technologies that will allow access to credit, savings accounts, and other financial products.”