Seamless Xtra’s Ellise Philips interviews Robert Muoka, Advisor to the Fintech Association of Kenya.

 

As fintech continues to redefine the financial fabric of Africa, Kenya remains firmly at the center of this transformation. With groundbreaking innovations like M-Pesa, a thriving startup ecosystem, and forward-thinking regulation, the country has become a global benchmark for what’s possible when technology meets financial inclusion.

Mr. Robert Muoka, Advisor to the Fintech Association of Kenya, explores the forces shaping the future of digital finance across Kenya and the broader East African region. Robert brings deep insight into the intersection of innovation, regulation, and impact. In this exclusive interview, he shares his perspective on the critical role fintechs are playing in empowering communities, collaborating with telcos, and building trust through cybersecurity. 

 

From M-Pesa to the Neo Future: How Fintech is Powering East Africa’s Financial Revolution

1. Robert, as a leading figure in Kenya’s fintech community, can you briefly walk us through your role at the The Association of Fintechs in Kenya (AFIK)? 
As the Virtual Assets Advisor to the AFIK Board, my role involves providing strategic guidance on the rapidly evolving landscape of blockchain technologies and digital assets. I work closely with board members, regulators, and industry stakeholders to ensure that Kenya develops a robust, forward-looking framework for virtual assets—one that encourages innovation while managing associated risks like fraud, financial instability, and illicit financing. 

Through this position, I help interpret global trends in crypto, stablecoins, tokenization, and DeFi, and contextualize them for Kenya’s financial ecosystem. It’s about balancing innovation with regulation—creating an environment where fintechs can thrive, but within a structure that protects consumers and supports long-term economic resilience. 

My affiliation with the AFIK complements this role by keeping me plugged into the pulse of the industry, and ensuring that the insights from the grassroots level inform board-level decisions. 

 

2. Kenya is widely recognised as a fintech hub—what key factors have contributed to its leadership in the East African region? 
Absolutely. Kenya’s leadership in fintech across the East African region is the result of several converging factors, many of which are deeply rooted in our local context. 

First and foremost, the success of mobile money, particularly M-Pesa, laid the foundation. It didn’t just transform financial transactions—it redefined access to financial services for millions who were previously excluded from the formal banking sector. 

Secondly, our high mobile penetration rate enabled fintech solutions to scale rapidly. With mobile phones in nearly every household, delivering digital financial services became both practical and impactful. 

We’ve also benefited from a progressive regulatory environment. While still maturing, our regulators have taken a relatively open approach—engaging stakeholders through sandboxes and consultative processes. This has created space for innovation while gradually introducing the necessary safeguards. 

Another key factor is our entrepreneurial spirit and tech talent. Kenya’s youth are building and testing solutions that respond to real, local problems—from lending and payments to savings and insurance. 

Lastly, I’d highlight strategic collaboration across sectors. The ecosystem thrives on partnerships—between fintechs, banks, telcos, government, and development agencies. These alliances have helped drive scale and build public trust in digital finance. 

So in many ways, Kenya’s fintech success is a combination of necessity, innovation, and an enabling environment. Our challenge now is to deepen this progress while ensuring that new frontiers like virtual assets are approached with both vision and responsibility. 

 

3. As fintech continues to evolve, how would you define its current role in Kenya’s economy and financial infrastructure? 

Fintech today is no longer just a disruptor in Kenya’s economy—it’s become an essential pillar of our financial infrastructure and a driver of inclusive economic growth. 

We’ve moved from basic mobile money services to a sophisticated ecosystem that includes digital lending, insurtech, wealthtech, and now, virtual assets. Fintech is helping us address long-standing gaps in access to finance, especially for underserved populations and the informal sector. 

From an economic standpoint, fintech is powering financial inclusion, unlocking access to credit, and enabling millions of transactions daily that would have previously relied on cash or informal systems. We’re also seeing growth in investments and job creation, with Kenya now consistently attracting international interest in its fintech startups. 

On the regulatory side, there’s a growing recognition that fintech must be integrated thoughtfully into the formal economy. This is part of what we’re doing at AFIK—helping guide policy around emerging technologies like blockchain and virtual assets, so we can scale innovation responsibly. 

 So, I’d say fintech’s role in Kenya today is foundational. It’s not just supporting the economy—it’s actively shaping its future. The task ahead is to ensure that this growth continues to be inclusive, secure, and aligned with our national development goals. 

 

4. M-Pesa recently celebrated 18 years—how has this telco-led fintech model reshaped the DNA of Kenya’s financial services? 
M-Pesa’s 18-year journey is nothing short of transformative—not just for Kenya, but for the global fintech landscape. It’s a prime example of how telco-led innovation can reshape the DNA of a nation’s financial system. 

When M-Pesa launched in 2007, it fundamentally challenged the notion that banking had to be done within the four walls of a traditional institution. It brought financial services directly into people’s hands—literally—through mobile phones. That shift unlocked access for millions who were previously excluded from the formal economy. 

What it really did was embed digital finance into our everyday lives. Today, mobile money is not just a service—it’s a utility. It’s how people pay school fees, send remittances, run their businesses, access credit, and even invest. In many ways, M-Pesa redefined what it means to be “banked” in Kenya. 

Beyond that, it catalyzed the fintech boom we see today. It created a trust layer for digital transactions and opened up APIs and infrastructure that startups could build on. It also pushed regulators and banks to evolve—and we’re now seeing that same disruptive energy ripple into areas like digital lending, insurance, wealthtech, and even virtual assets. 

So yes, M-Pesa didn’t just reshape the financial services landscape—it rewrote the rulebook. It’s now part of the national identity, and it laid the groundwork for Kenya to emerge as a global fintech trailblazer. 

 

5. What trends are currently shaping the future of mobile money, digital wallets, and cashless payments in Kenya and the region? 
We’re seeing a powerful shift in the mobile money and digital payments space in Kenya—and the region as a whole. The ecosystem is maturing, and several key trends are shaping its future. 

First, we’re witnessing deep integration between mobile money platforms and digital wallets. It’s no longer just about sending or receiving money. Today, wallets are evolving into full-service platforms offering savings, lending, insurance, investment tools, and even access to crypto and virtual assets. This convergence is expanding financial access in really meaningful ways. 

Second, the rise of contactless and QR code payments is reshaping the retail experience. Especially in urban centers, more merchants and SMEs are going cashless—fueled by growing trust in digital payments, and consumer preference for speed and convenience. 

 Third, interoperability is gaining traction. We’re seeing policy and tech shifts toward making different mobile money and banking platforms work together more seamlessly. That’s a huge win for both inclusion and efficiency, and something we at AFIK are also keeping an eye on—especially as virtual assets start to interact with these ecosystems. 

Fourth, smartphone penetration is accelerating the digital shift. As more Kenyans come online, we’re seeing a new generation of fintech users—tech-savvy, mobile-first, and demanding more personalized and global financial services. 

And finally, we’re seeing greater collaboration between fintechs, banks, telcos, and regulators. That’s enabling more secure, scalable, and inclusive innovations—essential for moving us toward a cash-lite economy that works for everyone. 

So, the direction is clear: the future is digital, interoperable, and inclusive. The real opportunity now is to build systems that are not just convenient—but also secure, ethical, and locally relevant. 

 

6. With the rapid growth of fintechs, how are startups differentiating themselves in such a competitive, fast-moving space? 
That’s a great question—and one that’s at the heart of where fintech is headed in Kenya. With the sector growing so quickly, startups can no longer just ride the wave of mobile money or digital lending. Differentiation today is about depth, relevance, and resilience. 

First, startups are leaning into hyper-local solutions—solving problems that are uniquely Kenyan or East African. Whether it’s helping boda boda riders access insurance, enabling farmers to get real-time credit, or building platforms that digitize informal savings groups—success now comes from a clear understanding of the local user and their pain points. 

Second, data is becoming a major differentiator. Fintechs that can leverage alternative data for credit scoring, customer insights, or fraud prevention are pulling ahead. It’s not just about offering a service—it’s about understanding your customer better than anyone else. 

Third, we’re seeing a big shift toward platform thinking. The most successful fintechs are building ecosystems, not just products—offering APIs, plugging into other services, and positioning themselves as part of a broader digital financial infrastructure. 

Fourth, compliance and trust are now strategic advantages. As regulations mature, fintechs that bake in data protection, AML/KYC, and consumer protection from the start are better positioned to scale—and attract investment. 

Lastly, some are betting on the future—exploring blockchain, tokenized assets, and cross-border payments. We’re seeing early movers in the virtual asset space, and this is something AFIK is actively supporting through policy and advisory work. 

So, in short—differentiation is no longer just about speed to market. It’s about relevance, compliance, intelligence, and building for scale. 

 

7. Open Finance is a hot topic. How close is Kenya to achieving a truly interoperable open finance ecosystem? 

That’s a great question—and one that reflects where the future of fintech is headed, not just in Kenya, but globally. 

In my view, Kenya is making strong, deliberate progress toward an interoperable open finance ecosystem, but we’re not there yet. What’s encouraging is that the conversation has moved from “why” to “how” and “when.” 

The Central Bank of Kenya’s National Payments Strategy is a clear signal of intent. It emphasizes interoperability, inclusivity, and customer-centric innovation. We’ve already seen success with mobile money interoperability, and now we’re expanding that thinking to the broader financial ecosystem—banks, SACCOs, digital lenders, insurance, and more. 

At the same time, industry-led initiatives like the Open Finance Initiative—driven by AFIK, KBA, and FSD Kenya—are creating the frameworks for secure, consent-based data sharing. That’s crucial for building trust and ensuring that innovation doesn’t come at the cost of privacy or consumer protection 

Where we still face challenges is in standardization and infrastructure. Many players are building APIs, but the formats and protocols vary widely. Until we agree on technical and governance standards for API interoperability, open finance will remain fragmented. 

That said, we’re in a much better place than we were even two years ago. There’s momentum. There’s alignment between the private sector and regulators. And there’s a growing recognition that open finance can drive inclusion, competition, and innovation—especially for underserved segments of the economy. 

So, while we’re not at the finish line yet, Kenya is absolutely on the right track—and with the right policy support and cross-sector collaboration, I believe we can lead the continent in building a truly open, interoperable financial ecosystem. 

 

8. How are fintechs leveraging data to deliver more personalized, inclusive financial products for underserved populations? 

Data is the engine behind the next generation of inclusive fintech in Kenya. What we’re seeing is a fundamental shift: fintechs are no longer just digitizing existing financial products—they’re using data to redesign them around the realities of the underserved. 

A big part of this is alternative data. Many Kenyans—especially those in the informal economy—lack traditional credit histories. But they do have mobile money records, transaction patterns, airtime usage, utility payments, and even social network behaviors. Fintechs are tapping into these unconventional data sources to build more accurate, context-specific risk profiles. 

Take digital lenders, for instance. They’re not just approving or denying loans—they’re adjusting amounts, repayment timelines, and interest rates based on behavioral data. That kind of personalization is critical when you’re serving someone whose income might be irregular, seasonal, or cash-based. 

We’re also seeing data drive smart financial nudges—like reminders to save after market days, or real-time insights into spending habits. It’s not just about access anymore—it’s about empowering people to make better financial decisions. 

But with all this innovation, we also have to be careful. That’s why at AFIK, we stress the importance of ethical data use. Consent, privacy, and transparency must be baked into every data-driven solution, especially when dealing with vulnerable communities. 

So, to sum it up: Fintechs in Kenya are using data not just to serve the underserved—but to understand them, walk with them, and ultimately help them thrive. 

 

9. What role are telcos and fintech partnerships playing in expanding financial inclusion and deepening user engagement? 
Telcos and fintech partnerships have been nothing short of transformative in Kenya’s journey toward deeper financial inclusion. 

If we take a step back, we have to acknowledge that telcos like Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom built the rails for mobile money in this country. They brought financial services into people’s hands—literally—well before banks were able to reach the last mile 

Now, what we’re seeing is a new phase: fintechs are bringing innovation and agility to these platforms, while telcos provide the scale, infrastructure, and trust. It’s a powerful combination. 

These partnerships are enabling the rollout of high-impact financial products—like nano-loans, micro-insurance, savings wallets, pay-as-you-go utilities, and even credit scoring models—right through a mobile phone. And not just smartphones—this is happening on USSD as well, which is key for inclusion. 

From my perspective at AFIK, what’s exciting is how these partnerships are not just expanding access—they’re deepening engagement. Telcos bring the data, fintechs bring the intelligence, and together they’re creating financial journeys that are more personalized, more relevant, and more empowering. 

We’re also starting to see these partnerships evolve into platforms that could soon support virtual assets, tokenized services, and cross-border payments—which opens up entirely new economic opportunities for underserved communities. 

So in short, these partnerships aren’t just filling gaps. They’re building bridges—to formal finance, to digital economies, and to long-term economic resilience. 

 

10. Digital identity and onboarding remain critical. What innovations in eKYC are improving security and user experience? 
Digital identity is one of the most critical enablers for financial inclusion—and in Kenya, we’re seeing real progress thanks to innovations in electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC). 

One of the biggest game changers has been biometric authentication—things like facial recognition and fingerprint scans. These tools not only enhance security by verifying that the user is physically present, but they also streamline the onboarding process, especially for people who may not have all the traditional paperwork. 

We’re also seeing OCR (Optical Character Recognition) being used to extract data from national IDs and documents in real time. It reduces manual input, speeds up onboarding, and lowers the chance of human error—making the experience smoother for the user and more efficient for the provider. 

Another big shift is the rise of video-based KYC, which is particularly valuable in remote areas. It allows for real-time, face-to-face verification without requiring customers to travel to a branch. That’s huge for access and convenience. 

On the backend, there’s increased integration with government and credit databases, which helps verify identities more accurately and flag fraudulent attempts before they happen. We’re also seeing more robust AML screening built into eKYC platforms, which supports regulatory compliance while protecting consumers and financial institutions. 

 This is a major step forward—not just for fintechs, but for the broader digital economy. The more secure and seamless we make identity verification, the more people we can bring into the formal financial system—and the more trust we can build as we explore new frontiers like digital currencies and tokenized assets. 

 

11. Financial inclusion is still a major goal—how can fintechs in Kenya expand their reach to the unbanked and underbanked in rural areas? 

Financial inclusion in rural Kenya isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s also a massive opportunity for innovation and impact. Fintechs are uniquely positioned to lead this charge, but it requires intentional, context-aware strategies. 

First, mobile-first remains key. The widespread adoption of feature phones across rural Kenya makes USSD and STK-based mobile money services the fastest and most accessible gateway. Fintechs need to continue building lightweight, intuitive solutions that don’t rely on smartphones or high-speed internet. 

Second, alternative data is unlocking access to credit for those without formal financial histories. By analyzing mobile phone usage, airtime purchases, and transaction behaviors, fintechs can create inclusive credit scoring models. This is how we serve the mama mboga, the boda boda rider, or the smallholder farmer who’s never set foot in a bank. 

We’re also seeing the power of pay-as-you-go and micro-financing models, especially in sectors like energy and agribusiness. Solutions like M-KOPA have shown that rural customers are willing and able to pay for services—provided the terms are flexible and the value is clear. 

Another key lever is partnerships with cooperatives, SACCOs, and local agent networks. These grassroots institutions already hold trust in the community. When fintechs embed themselves into these ecosystems, adoption becomes more organic and sustainable. 

We need to design for inclusion from day one—not as an afterthought. That means local language interfaces, offline capabilities, and strong consumer protection, especially for first-time digital users. 

So to me, the fintechs that will truly move the needle in rural Kenya are those who blend tech with trust, data with dignity, and scale with empathy. 

 

12. We’ve seen increased focus on customer experience (CX). How can fintechs better connect with their users at every touchpoint?
Mr. Muoka’s Response: 

Customer experience is no longer a nice-to-have in fintech—it’s the battleground. In a market like Kenya, where users are increasingly savvy and have options, fintechs must design every touchpoint with intention, empathy, and trust at the center. 

First, we need to personalize the user journey. This goes beyond just inserting a name in an SMS. Fintechs have access to behavioral data—use it to deliver timely, relevant nudges, offers, and support. A farmer in Eldoret and a student in Nairobi shouldn’t get the same financial message or product pitch. 

Second, simplicity wins. Many fintech users are new to digital financial services. Interfaces should be intuitive, multilingual, and mobile-first—ideally even offline-capable where possible. Complexity alienates; clarity builds confidence. 

Third, omnichannel consistency is key. Whether a customer is engaging via app, USSD, call center, or WhatsApp—they should feel like they’re talking to the same brand. That requires integration, training, and a unified tone of voice across platforms. 

Fourth, is transparency and fairness. Hidden fees, unclear terms, or aggressive debt collection tactics erode trust fast. The best fintechs are those that treat their users like long-term partners, not short-term transactions. 

Lastly, listen actively. Feedback loops, real-time analytics, community engagement—all of these give insight into what’s working and what’s not. Fintechs that iterate based on lived user experiences build products that stick. 

 So in summary: to better connect with users, fintechs must go beyond the transaction and build relationships—rooted in relevance, respect, and reliability. That’s how you create lifelong users, not just one-time customers. 

 

13. What are the biggest regulatory challenges fintechs face today, and how is the Fintech Association of Kenya helping to address them? 
One of the most pressing realities fintechs in Kenya face today is the regulatory tightrope—balancing innovation with compliance in a space that’s evolving faster than the rules that govern it. 

The biggest regulatory challenges right now fall into a few core areas: 

First, compliance complexity and cost. For early-stage fintechs, staying compliant with licensing, data protection, consumer protection, AML/CFT rules—it’s expensive and often overwhelming. The regulatory landscape can be fragmented, and many startups don’t have in-house legal teams. 

Second, data protection and digital identity. The rollout of Kenya’s Data Protection Act is a critical step forward, but implementing the necessary governance, consent management, and cybersecurity controls remains a big lift, especially for smaller players. 

Third, there’s regulatory uncertainty around emerging sectors—especially in digital assets, DeFi, and embedded finance. Many fintechs operating in these spaces are still in limbo when it comes to licensing, taxation, or even classification. 

At the AFIK, we’re actively working to address these challenges through structured advocacy, industry coordination, and regulatory engagement. 

We’ve established working groups that bring fintechs together to share pain points and formulate unified positions. We engage directly with regulators like CBK, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, and CMA to co-create policy that is innovation-friendly but consumer-safe. 

We also provide regulatory updates, sandbox opportunities, and compliance support for members—especially startups—so they can stay ahead of changes and avoid costly missteps. 

Ultimately, our goal is to create a regulatory environment that’s predictable, inclusive, and forward-looking—so that fintechs can focus on what they do best: building solutions that drive inclusion, transparency, and growth across the economy. 

 

14. Cybersecurity is a growing concern as digital finance scales—how can fintechs prepare for and mitigate financial crime risks? 
Cybersecurity has become one of the most critical pillars for fintechs in Kenya, especially as digital finance continues to scale rapidly. As we onboard more users, move more value digitally, and interact with more third-party systems, the risk surface expands—and so must our response 

First and foremost, fintechs must embed security into their product design from day one. It can’t be an afterthought. This means adopting secure coding practices, regular penetration testing, and vulnerability assessments. It also means building robust identity and access controls—with multi-factor authentication and biometric verification becoming the new baseline. 

We’re also seeing the value of AI-driven fraud detection. Fintechs can now monitor user behavior in real time and flag suspicious activity before it causes damage. This proactive approach is especially vital for mobile-based services where phishing and SIM-swap attacks are rising. 

But beyond the tech, there’s the human layer. Cybersecurity awareness among employees and users is non-negotiable. Training staff on phishing, data hygiene, and secure operations is just as important as deploying firewalls or intrusion detection systems. 

Finally, fintechs must be prepared for when—not if—an incident happens. That means having an incident response plan, clear communication protocols, and where possible, cyber insurance to mitigate financial fallout. 

To build trust in the digital economy, we must make security a competitive advantage, not just a compliance checkbox. 

 

15. We’ve seen growth in digital lending, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), and micro-loans. What innovations are you most excited about? 
We’re at a really exciting inflection point in the evolution of credit and consumer finance in Kenya. The growth in digital lending, BNPL, and micro-loans is not just about convenience—it’s about creating custom, context-aware financial tools for the everyday Kenyan. 

One of the innovations I’m particularly excited about is the expansion of BNPL into non-traditional sectors—like healthcare, education, and even agriculture. When someone can access a life-saving medical service or buy farm inputs and pay later in manageable chunks, that’s powerful. It’s financial inclusion in action. 

Second, the integration of alternative credit scoring is a game-changer. We’re moving away from legacy systems that excluded millions and embracing mobile data, behavioral analytics, and transaction history to evaluate creditworthiness. That’s how you lend responsibly to the informal economy. 

I’m also intrigued by the early experiments in DeFi-enabled BNPL—where global liquidity can be tapped into via blockchain to support local MSMEs. It’s still nascent, but it has the potential to radically democratize access to working capital. 

 And let’s not forget the pay-as-you-go asset financing models, like what M-KOPA pioneered. These aren’t just tech gadgets—they’re onramps to broader digital and financial ecosystems. 

From a AFIK perspective, we’re watching these innovations closely because they sit at the intersection of finance, tech, and regulation. Our role is to help ensure the policy environment supports responsible innovation, especially when it comes to data privacy, consumer protection, and sustainable credit practices. 

So in short, I’m excited by the direction fintech credit is heading—more inclusive, more intelligent, and more aligned with real-world needs. 

 

16. Do you believe East Africa is ready for a regional fintech framework, and what role could Kenya play in leading it? 
Yes—I strongly believe East Africa is ready for a regional fintech framework, and Kenya is not just well-positioned to be part of it—we should be leading the charge. 

We’re seeing increasing regional alignment in trade, digital infrastructure, and mobile connectivity. But fintech still suffers from fragmented regulation, inconsistent KYC norms, and siloed payment systems. A unified framework would unlock huge value—enabling cross-border innovation, improving compliance efficiency, and accelerating financial inclusion at scale. 

Kenya can play a leadership role here because we’ve already built a globally respected fintech ecosystem. From mobile money to digital lending and API infrastructure, we’ve piloted and scaled innovations that many of our neighbors are now beginning to adopt. We also have regulatory tools—like the Capital Markets Authority’s Sandbox that others can learn from. 

More importantly, Kenya has a strong convening power. Through the AFIK  and regional blocs like the EAC, we can host dialogues, drive policy convergence, and co-develop standards—especially around data protection, open finance, digital ID, and AML compliance. 

At AFIK, we’re already looking at cross-border implications for virtual assets, which makes a regional approach even more critical. The future of fintech is not confined by borders—and our frameworks shouldn’t be either. 

So yes, East Africa is ready. And Kenya should lead with humility, collaboration, and a vision for a truly inclusive digital economy across the region. 

 

17. How can fintechs balance innovation with compliance in such a fast-moving regulatory environment? 
Balancing innovation with compliance is one of the biggest challenges fintechs face today—especially in a regulatory environment that’s evolving almost as fast as the technology itself. 

My view is that innovation and compliance aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, if done right, compliance can be a catalyst for sustainable innovation. 

First, fintechs need to understand the regulatory landscape deeply—not just reactively, but proactively. That means staying ahead of changes from the CBK, CMA, Data Protection Office, and other regulators. It also means building internal compliance capacity early—don’t wait until you’re scaling to think about risk. 

Second, I’m a strong advocate for regulatory sandboxes, and Kenya is lucky to have progressive regulators in this space. These sandboxes give fintechs a safe space to test new ideas, engage directly with regulators, and shape the rules as they evolve. 

Third, it’s about embedding compliance into your design process, not bolting it on afterward. Whether you’re building a BNPL platform, a lending algorithm, or a virtual asset product—ask early on: are we collecting data ethically? Are we protecting users? Are we AML/KYC compliant? 

At AFIK, we also encourage continuous dialogue between innovators and regulators. It’s the only way to ensure policy keeps pace with progress—especially in emerging areas like virtual assets, cross-border payments, and embedded finance. 

Ultimately, the fintechs that win in the long run will be the ones that build trust, not just traction. And that trust starts with showing that you can innovate responsibly—within the rails, but always with vision. 

 

18. What’s your take on Kenya’s move toward a cash-lite economy—what infrastructure and behavioral shifts are needed to accelerate this? 
Kenya is well on its way toward becoming a cash-lite economy—and I believe it’s not just achievable, it’s inevitable. But to get there faster and more sustainably, we need to address both infrastructure gaps and behavioral shifts. 

On the infrastructure side, interoperability is critical. We’ve made progress, but we still have too many digital silos. Users should be able to send and receive money seamlessly—across banks, telcos, wallets, and even borders—without worrying about platforms or hidden fees. 

Second, we need to scale digital merchant acceptance, especially at the bottom of the pyramid. From dukas to boda boda operators, cash is still king in many day-to-day transactions. We need low-cost, frictionless tools—like QR codes and tap-to-pay—that work even with feature phones. 

Third, reliable connectivity and cybersecurity are non-negotiables. If people can’t transact due to downtime, or fear fraud every time they use a mobile wallet, they’ll fall back to cash. Trust and uptime are the backbone of a digital economy. 

On the behavioral side, financial literacy and digital confidence are key. Many Kenyans still view digital payments as complex or risky. We need user education campaigns—not just about how to use digital tools, but why it matters for safety, convenience, and economic empowerment. 

And lastly, we need to normalize digital payments through behavioral nudges and incentives. Whether it’s cashback for paying digitally, or tax benefits for merchants who go cashless—these signals matter. 

At AFIK, we’re particularly focused on how the shift to a cash-lite economy can enable more traceable, inclusive, and data-driven financial systems, which are essential for the next wave of fintech innovation—like virtual assets, tokenized lending, and programmable money. 

So in short, the vision is clear—and Kenya can absolutely lead. But we need to ensure the rails are strong and the ride is smooth for everyone. 

 

19. What role does Seamless East Africa play in spotlighting fintech innovation and fostering new partnerships in the region? 
Seamless East Africa plays a strategic and catalytic role in the growth of fintech across the region. It’s more than just a conference—it’s a convergence point for innovation, policy, investment, and collaboration. 

For me, what makes Seamless truly powerful is its ability to bring together the entire ecosystem—from regulators and banks to startups, investors, and development partners—all under one roof. That kind of cross-sector visibility and access is rare, and it’s exactly what our industry needs to move from pilots to scale. 

The event is also critical for showcasing homegrown innovation. Too often, African fintech stories are told from a global lens. At Seamless, local startups, solution providers, and ecosystem builders get to take the stage, share real-world case studies, and attract regional and global attention. 

It’s also a space where key partnerships are forged. I’ve seen collaborations between fintechs and banks, tech providers and telcos, even cross-border pilot programs emerge directly from conversations that started at Seamless. And with the East African region moving toward more interoperability and regulatory harmonization, these networks are more important than ever. 

As someone involved in shaping fintech policy through AFIK, I also see Seamless as a platform for policy dialogue. It allows regulators to listen directly to innovators, and for innovators to better understand compliance pathways. 

So yes—Seamless East Africa is not just spotlighting fintech innovation; it’s fueling it. And Kenya, as the host, continues to solidify its leadership role in driving the region’s digital financial transformation. 

 

20. Finally, what is your vision for the future of fintech in Kenya by 2030—and what will it take to get there? 
By 2030, I envision Kenya as the fintech capital of Africa—a country where inclusive digital finance is the default, not the exception. A place where every Kenyan, regardless of geography or income level, can access tools to save, borrow, invest, and grow—safely and with confidence 

To get there, we need to focus on five key pillars 

1. Deepening Financial Inclusion:

It’s not just about access anymore—it’s about meaningful usage. We need to build financial products that respond to people’s real-world challenges—whether it’s flexible working capital for MSMEs, embedded insurance for farmers, or affordable savings tools for gig workers. 

2. Smart, Adaptive Regulation:

At AFIK, we’re already working toward policy frameworks that are innovation-friendly but risk-aware. By 2030, we need regional regulatory harmonization, fully functional sandboxes, and agile compliance models that keep pace with blockchain, AI, and embedded finance. 

3. Interoperable, Resilient Infrastructure:

Kenya must continue investing in digital rails—interoperability, real-time payments, and cyber-resilience. A cash-lite, always-on economy depends on connectivity, uptime, and trust. 

4. Stronger Ecosystem Collaboration:

We need more synergy between startups, banks, telcos, government, and academia. Public-private partnerships will be key to unlocking capital, driving adoption, and fostering local innovation. Let’s think less in silos and more in systems. 

5. Talent and R&D Investment:

We need to groom the next generation of fintech engineers, product designers, compliance experts, and digital ethicists. Our innovation advantage will only last if we invest in people and in continuous learning. 

 

Ultimately, my vision is of a fintech ecosystem that’s decentralized, inclusive, intelligent, and secure—powering economic mobility, enabling small businesses, and positioning Kenya as a continental leader in responsible digital finance. The building blocks are already here. What we need now is alignment, execution, and bold, long-term thinking. 

 

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