The popular stereotype about men being the chief pioneers or dwellers in the Fintech field is one narrative that is being re-written currently as we see strong women arising from different corners of Africa to breach the gap between male and female involvement in the field.
Studies show that women in the tech industry constitute only 28% of professionals in the sector worldwide, and just 30% in Sub-Saharan Africa. These UNESCO statistics throw into light the huge gap between women and men in exploring careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, collectively known as STEM.
Below is a list bearing a few from the long chain of women actively involved in Fintech in Africa:
- Roselyn Gicira Mwangi, chairperson of Blockchain Association of Kenya; head of the Kenyan Women in Blockchain Chapter (Kenya)
Roselyn is the Chairperson of the Blockchain Association of Kenya.
Having followed blockchain startups over the years, Roselyn has built up an extended expertise in this field. She has great interest in equity investments particularly working on disruptive technologies.
She is deeply interested in the innovation coming from blockchain startups and seeks to provide strategic linkages to investors in this field especially in product and business development.
She also heads the Kenyan Women in Blockchain Chapter.
- Naomi Snyman, blockchain lead at Standard Bank Group; chair for the South African Financial Blockchain Consortium (South Africa)
Naomi Snyman is the Chair for the South African Financial Blockchain Consortium and the Blockchain Lead for the Standard Bank Group, a role that stretches across 16 African countries for both Commercial and Retail Banking. She sees the main potential of Blockchain on the African continent to drive economic freedom in the eco-systems that we live and work in, through the distribution of trust and central power.
Naomi joined Standard Bank in 2008 starting in Retail Finance, in 2010 she left the bank complete her Master’s degree in France specializing in International Management and Strategy. She returned in 2011 and subsequently held roles in Personal Banking Strategy functions in South Africa and across the African continent. Her last role before becoming the Blockchain Lead for the Group was the Head of Private Banking for Standard Bank South Africa since 2014. She holds qualifications at both Stanford and London Business School.
