Stephen is an international consultant with broad expertise for over 25 years in digital financial services, payment systems, central banking practices and legal and regulatory frameworks. Prior to working as an International consultant, Stephen was in charge of the National Payments System division at the Central Bank of Kenya, where he championed financial inclusion initiatives in Kenya- key among them was the globally recognised M-Pesa platform run by Safaricom which currently has 27 million subscribers, equivalent to a penetration rate of 75% in mobile money sector. 

Stephen has considerable experience working with a wide range of stakeholders in the digital financial world (Telecommunication firms, Banks, donor organisations, Treasury, other regulators). At a regional level, he has extended his leadership expertise in the harmonisation of various initiatives at an East Africa Community (EAC) level. At an international level, he is a regular contributor and an acclaimed global speaker at both International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) fora. In addition, he has excellent research capabilities and is frequently requested to carry out peer review assignments and book reviews for colleagues in the industry

Stephen is an international consultant with broad expertise for over 25 years in digital financial services, payment systems, central banking practices and legal and regulatory frameworks. Prior to working as an International consultant, Stephen was in charge of the National Payments System division at the Central Bank of Kenya, where he championed financial inclusion initiatives in Kenya- key among them was the globally recognised M-Pesa platform run by Safaricom which currently has 27 million subscribers, equivalent to a penetration rate of 75% in mobile money sector. 

Stephen has considerable experience working with a wide range of stakeholders in the digital financial world (Telecommunication firms, Banks, donor organisations, Treasury, other regulators). At a regional level, he has extended his leadership expertise in the harmonisation of various initiatives at an East Africa Community (EAC) level. At an international level, he is a regular contributor and an acclaimed global speaker at both International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) fora. In addition, he has excellent research capabilities and is frequently requested to carry out peer review assignments and book reviews for colleagues in the industry

Abhaya Prasad Hota, - former Head of Payment Systems in Reserve Bank of India is known for his valuable contribution in design and development of payment system in India. After his central banking experience for 27 years mostly in the area of payments and technology, he headed the umbrella retail payments institution named National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) during 2009-2017 as its founding CEO. NPCI today handles 10 out of 13 types of retail payment systems in the country accounting for almost 80 percent of all  inter-bank retail payment transactions.  He played the key role in building the real time 24x7 retail money transfer system ( handling 110  million transactions  a day), domestic card payment system (the largest in the country in terms of number of cards issued in the country) and identity based Direct Benefit Transfer system  ( all government subsidies for social welfare programs passing through this DBT system).

Currently he serves as an Independent Director in the Boards of a few organisations in the area of banking and finance and speaks at various fora on design and development of national level payment system. During the year 2018-19, he was also in the World Bank Panel of Experts on Payment Systems.

Sachin has over 16 years of international experience in consulting, project management and operations in making financial services accessible to the un/underbanked people in more than 18 different countries. He has hands-on experience in Digital Financial Services (DFS), Microfinance and Financial Inclusion. He has cross-regional work experience of Asia, Africa and Oceania. He has worked with some of the largest Banks, Mobile Network Operators, technology companies, Microfinance institutions and other stakeholders such as Donors, Central banks and other Government bodies. He has strong skills in developing business strategy/models, product development, human centred design, market research, agent network design and management, agency banking, process re-engineering, business transformation and financial awareness. 

He is a certified trainer and has conducted many large-scale research studies and has published several papers. He has led technical assistance projects for capacity building of financial institutions and helped them explore alternative delivery channels (e/m banking). The primary focus of his work has always been to design and develop sustainable, effective and innovative systems; products and channels to promote the delivery of a wide range of client-centric, sustainable and technology-enabled financial services.  He is an Agricultural Engineering graduate with a management degree.

Successful and motivated Leader with unparalleled expertise in Telecom and Fin-Tech domain. 22 years’ experience and over 14 years in FinTech eco-system. Keen sense to achieve corporate goals. Ability to devise long-term strategies, build teams from scratch, envisage critical Telecom and fin-tech products and bringing them to life. Played a critical role in Financial Inclusion & Financial Literacy in different markets.

Andrew is the Regulatory Director in charge of Mobile Financial Services (MFS) at Airtel Money handling all regulatory requirements of the business.

He has over 13 years experience in banking, Central Banking, Corporate Credit, Retail credit, bank resolution, banking supervision, public policy, risk management, financial inclusion, operations, payment and settlement systems, risk and compliance audits, information technology law, and Corporate Secretarial services. 

He joined Airtel Money from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) where he was working for 7 years. Previously, he worked with Barclays Bank of Kenya (now ABSA - Kenya) as an In House Counsel for 5 years. 

He holds a Law degree (LL.B) from the University of Nairobi, He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. He also holds a Masters degree in Public Policy (MPP) from Strathmore Business School. He is Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K) and Certified Public Secretary (CPS-K). In addition, he is a graduate of the Oxford Fintech program and the London School of Economics - LSE regulatory practice program.

Abhaya Prasad Hota, - former Head of Payment Systems in Reserve Bank of India is known for his valuable contribution in design and development of payment system in India. After his central banking experience for 27 years mostly in the area of payments and technology, he headed the umbrella retail payments institution named National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) during 2009-2017 as its founding CEO. NPCI today handles 10 out of 13 types of retail payment systems in the country accounting for almost 80 percent of all  inter-bank retail payment transactions.  He played the key role in building the real time 24x7 retail money transfer system ( handling 110  million transactions  a day), domestic card payment system (the largest in the country in terms of number of cards issued in the country) and identity based Direct Benefit Transfer system  ( all government subsidies for social welfare programs passing through this DBT system).

Currently he serves as an Independent Director in the Boards of a few organisations in the area of banking and finance and speaks at various fora on design and development of national level payment system. During the year 2018-19, he was also in the World Bank Panel of Experts on Payment Systems.

Abhaya Prasad Hota, - former Head of Payment Systems in Reserve Bank of India is known for his valuable contribution in design and development of payment system in India. After his central banking experience for 27 years mostly in the area of payments and technology, he headed the umbrella retail payments institution named National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) during 2009-2017 as its founding CEO. NPCI today handles 10 out of 13 types of retail payment systems in the country accounting for almost 80 percent of all  inter-bank retail payment transactions.  He played the key role in building the real time 24x7 retail money transfer system ( handling 110  million transactions  a day), domestic card payment system (the largest in the country in terms of number of cards issued in the country) and identity based Direct Benefit Transfer system  ( all government subsidies for social welfare programs passing through this DBT system).

Currently he serves as an Independent Director in the Boards of a few organisations in the area of banking and finance and speaks at various fora on design and development of national level payment system. During the year 2018-19, he was also in the World Bank Panel of Experts on Payment Systems.

Sachin has over 16 years of international experience in consulting, project management and operations in making financial services accessible to the un/underbanked people in more than 18 different countries. He has hands-on experience in Digital Financial Services (DFS), Microfinance and Financial Inclusion. He has cross-regional work experience of Asia, Africa and Oceania. He has worked with some of the largest Banks, Mobile Network Operators, technology companies, Microfinance institutions and other stakeholders such as Donors, Central banks and other Government bodies. He has strong skills in developing business strategy/models, product development, human centred design, market research, agent network design and management, agency banking, process re-engineering, business transformation and financial awareness. 

He is a certified trainer and has conducted many large-scale research studies and has published several papers. He has led technical assistance projects for capacity building of financial institutions and helped them explore alternative delivery channels (e/m banking). The primary focus of his work has always been to design and develop sustainable, effective and innovative systems; products and channels to promote the delivery of a wide range of client-centric, sustainable and technology-enabled financial services.  He is an Agricultural Engineering graduate with a management degree.

Funmi Dele-Giwa serves as our Director of Legal, Regulatory and Governmental Affairs and brings a steady hand and sharp mind to our next level MFS Africa. Funmi joined us from the United Bank for Africa (UK), where she was the Head of Legal & Company Secretary. She is a dual-qualified solicitor with 15 years’ experience in private practice, in the UK and in Nigeria. She holds an LLM in International Corporate Governance & Financial Regulation from the University of Warwick and an LLB, Law from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Funmi is also a Chartered Company Secretary and a Chartered Governance Professional.

Patrick Gutmann is the Managing Director of MFS Africa’s UK and European entities and heads up one of the Business Units (BUs) within the Group – BU Banks, Institutions, and Governments (BIG). BU BIG is responsible for managing the Group’s relationships with Banks, Non-Bank Financial Institutions, and its engagement with regulators, governments, and the development sector. In addition, it houses several key Group functions, including Legal & Regulatory Affairs, Corporate Governance & Company Secretariat, Treasury & FX Management, and Risk & Compliance. Prior to joining MFS Africa, Patrick was the CEO of UBA UK, and prior to that he was Managing Director, Corporate & Institutional Banking at BACB. Prior to these London-based positions, Patrick spent many years based on the African countries with Ecobank and Commercial International Bank (CIB) in Egypt. Patrick began his career with Wells Fargo and then ABN AMRO, with whom he was based in the US, Europe and then several years across Asia. Patrick is a seasoned international executive with a diverse background and experience in managing cross-cultural teams across a variety of geographies, businesses, and functions. Patrick holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in Chicago, a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Economics from Macalester College in St. Paul, and an International Baccalaureate diploma from St. Mary’s International School in Tokyo.

Stephen is an international consultant with broad expertise for over 25 years in digital financial services, payment systems, central banking practices and legal and regulatory frameworks. Prior to working as an International consultant, Stephen was in charge of the National Payments System division at the Central Bank of Kenya, where he championed financial inclusion initiatives in Kenya- key among them was the globally recognised M-Pesa platform run by Safaricom which currently has 27 million subscribers, equivalent to a penetration rate of 75% in mobile money sector. 

Stephen has considerable experience working with a wide range of stakeholders in the digital financial world (Telecommunication firms, Banks, donor organisations, Treasury, other regulators). At a regional level, he has extended his leadership expertise in the harmonisation of various initiatives at an East Africa Community (EAC) level. At an international level, he is a regular contributor and an acclaimed global speaker at both International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) fora. In addition, he has excellent research capabilities and is frequently requested to carry out peer review assignments and book reviews for colleagues in the industry