Cellulant (www.Cellulant.io), a pioneering force in payments in Africa, is proud to announce the appointment of several leading executives from esteemed global payment companies into its management team,marking a significant step in its growth plans. Bolstering its leadership team with top-tier talent in technology, compliance, finance and audit, underscores Cellulant’s commitment to operational excellence and growing its service offerings to enterprise businesses.

Andy O’Sullivan, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), joins Cellulant on the back of a distinguished two-decade career in technology leadership in payment companies in the EMEA. His expertise lies in leading high-performing multicultural technology teams to scale agile delivery, build enterprise architecture and drive strategic technology advancements. He has held several C-level positions at leading payment network companies such as Geidea Group, Network International and Telr. Notably, he co-founded Innovate Payments, culminating in its acquisition by Telr, where, as the CTO of Telr, he focused on expanding merchant acquiring activities and developing transaction processing platforms.

Gbenga Haastrup joins Cellulant as the Executive Consultant: Governance, Risk and Compliance, leveraging over 20 years of experience in Governance, Risk, and Compliance management across fintech, technology and financial services sectors. He will oversee all compliance, legal, regulatory and governance standards, developing a robust risk culture within Cellulant. With a seasoned career spanning executive leadership positions at UMBA, ATB Financial, Interswitch, UBA  and Standard Chartered Bank, Haastrup brings a wealth of sector-specific expertise to his new role.

Assuming the role of Group Head of Internal Audit, Irene Koki, brings over 15 years of experience in risk and audit roles having worked in financial services, manufacturing, corporate and government organisations. Reporting to Cellulant’s board of directors, she will work closely with the leadership team to drive operational efficiency measures and strengthen organisational governance to support Cellulant’s growth.

Ochebhoya Ekpete, Vice President of Group Finance, brings a proven track record of financial stewardship and strategic acumen to Cellulant. With over a decade of experience in the payments industry in Africa and the UK, Ekpete will oversee all corporate finance functions, including financial controllership, financial reporting, tax, pricing and financial planning and analysis. Before his time at Cellulant, Oche held senior finance roles at Thames Water, Reading; Stripe, London; and Interswitch, Nigeria.

Susan Fouche, now the Group Chief People Officer, will build on her deep understanding of Cellulant’s vision and people, and draw from her extensive experience in her previous roles at Visa, Barclays and 10x Investments to cultivate a high-performing, engaged workforce. Susan assumes the role after two years of successfully delivering on Cellulant’s organisational design, reward and career mobility frameworks in her previous role as the Vice President, Organisational Effectiveness, Performance, Reward, and Talent Acquisition.

Peter O’Toole, Cellulant’s Acting Chief Executive Officer expresses enthusiasm for these pivotal appointments stating, “We are thrilled to welcome these new leaders to Cellulant. Their specific expertise in payments and financial services will play a vital role as we strengthen our capabilities in product growth, service delivery, operational efficiency, and risk management to better serve our ever-growing database of enterprise businesses across the world.”

The appointments come at a time when Cellulant has refocused its business to achieve operational excellence, customer intimacy, and adherence to risk and regulatory compliance standards.

“Our overarching objective is to establish Cellulant as a highly sustainable and profitable payments company, renowned for the operational excellence showcased across our three core Business Units: Checkout, Payout, and Banking Solutions,” said O’Toole.

Operating at the forefront of the industry, Cellulant facilitates payments for renowned global brands spanning diverse sectors, including Airlines, Telecoms, E-commerce, Ride-Hailing, Retail, Banking, and Remittances.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Cellulant.

For More Information, please contact:
Email: charity.murigi@cellulant.io
emily.kaiga@cellulant.io

About Cellulant:
Cellulant (www.Cellulant.io) is a leading Pan African payments technology company that provides locally relevant and alternative payment methods for global, regional and local merchants.

Cellulant provides a single API payments platform – Tingg – that enables businesses to manage their payments from collections, offline or online, to disbursements while allowing consumers to pay from their mobile money, local and international cards or their bank across all its 35 markets of operation.

By Mike Cook, Mukuru Head of Wallet and VAS; Lorraine Nyawo, Mukuru Head of Product Domain: Financial Services (www.Mukuru.com)​.

All around the world businesses are pulling out the stops to achieve growth in what can best be described as challenging economic conditions. Africa is no exception. The continent has long been recognised for its immense potential, and as such businesses across sectors are investing heavily into the continent. Advancements in technology make serving the unbanked and underserved populations in Africa more viable than ever before. However, that does not mean growth comes easily. It is a hyper competitive and complex environment where genuinely understanding your customer is key to growth.

Even with this textbook understanding, there is a strong urge to take the “build it and they will come” approach because we can get caught up in our own technology and view problems from our frame of reference while ignoring the customer. This is typified in the African market where we see multiple shiny apps being dropped across markets with massive investments behind them only to be followed by a scaling down of operations as customer uptake and usage have not met expectations.

Instead, leading fintechs that show consistent growth have a deep understanding of their customers’ needs and then constantly listen to their customers. Having a deep understanding of customer needs results in innovative solutions. But that is only half of what you need. Listening to customers as you build those solutions is what guarantees market adoption and success. It also allows you to discover further unmet needs. Without listening you fall into the trap of building it and hoping customers will come.

The point here is that you need to listen to customers that are already talking to you. Yes, A fintech can listen directly to its customers in the form of focus groups or formal surveys where customers can engage and tell it directly and clearly what they don’t like, what they do, and what they want. But in a fast-paced environment it is not always possible to engage in traditional research to uncover what your customers are saying. More importantly, businesses need to develop the capacity to use existing touch points where customers are already talking to them to gather the insights needed for successful product development.

Social media is a massively useful tool for this. If a business is using its social media only as a marketing or customer service tool it is missing the boat. By mining the comments coming through social media channels, including positive and negative feedback, businesses have a treasure trove of data on their customers’ voice.

Internal support tickets are another avenue. Whether customers are emailing, submitting comments through various platforms or calling into a contact centre, they are telling you about their problems. Often, this information starts and stops with frontline staff. Fintechs, or any businesses, need to have the right processes to gather that information effectively and feed it up to the product development team.

Of course, it is great when customers explicitly tell you what they want or need through these channels but regardless of what they say, every interaction can implicitly give you direction. For example, if customers continue to complain about something, they may not be telling you what to do or what to change, but they are telling you that your current solution is not working. An effective business must address those problems because that’s how to genuinely serve customers.

Of course, listening is only worth anything if you do something about it. The amount of data and insights being mined can become overwhelming and so businesses need a quick way of scoring opportunities. It is impossible to have all possible information to calculate the most accurate return on investment. Rather, the business needs a quick, effectively designed scoring system or process that can help decision-makers weigh up revenue opportunities and customer service opportunities.

The team needs to balance these opportunities based on the business’s long-term strategy and on what the most pressing need is for customers. This is important because in a highly competitive world, customer retention is golden. Beyond this, an effective scoring system keeps the development roadmap full.

Beyond scoring, prioritising opportunities is also influenced by where a business is in its development cycle, which development teams have immediate capacity, and which of the top opportunities can fit into the development roadmap immediately. Certainly, from an innovative fintech’s perspective, the goal should be to get a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) out of the gates as quickly as possible as opposed to chasing the Rolls Royce solution at the outset. This is critical if the fintech wishes to be agile and relevant as opposed to producing one shiny, state-of-the-art product a year with no real knowledge of how customers will react to it.

One of the most important ways a fintech can listen to its customers is to gauge how they engage with its products. By using agile methods and principles, and building iteratively — from getting an MVP into testing and then exposed to the market, all the way through phase two and three development — a successful fintech is able to use its tight feedback loops to continually listen to customers. This way the product’s development is influenced by the needs of the customer all through its development, meaning the product is effectively serving needs and not just being pushed into the market.

A customer may not understand or use a product the way it was designed — this is incredibly useful information during development phases. Mukuru develops with a finger on the pulse of feedback loops because developing products for the unbanked is not the same as developing products out of Silicon Valley: Solutions don’t yet exist and they need to be built from scratch.

Of course, not all resources can go into new features and a portion of development should go into maintenance and support for live products — after all, the brand promise must be kept. It’s a balancing act that each company must manage.

This is how fintechs such as Mukuru evolve into next-generation digital financial services providers. The brand promise is pinned on growing diverse products on the same platform, using the same payment rails and methods that customers have used and grown to trust.

This is, at its core, financial inclusion because it takes the unbanked and underserved on a journey from remittances, to wallets, to the ability to purchase online goods and services, to credit, funeral cover and more. None of this is possible without developing products based on the exact needs of your customer base.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mukuru.

About Mukuru:
Mukuru is a leading next generation financial services platform in Southern Africa that offers affordable and reliable financial services to a customer base of over 13 million across Africa, Asia and Europe.

With over 100 million transactions to date, our core was built providing international money transfers and from this base, we’ve developed a set of services to address the broader financial needs of our customers. We now operate in over 50 countries and across over 300 remittance corridors.

We are a business that puts the customer at the centre of everything we do, and for that reason, we serve clients across physical and digital channels, by various payment methods (cash, card, wallet) as well as a range of engagement platforms including WhatsApp, USSD, contact centre, App, website, agents and a branch and booth network.

Mukuru has, for the fourth consecutive year, been listed as one of the top 100 Cross Border Payments businesses in the world in the 2023 FXC Intelligence Top 100 Cross-Border Payment Companies (https://apo-opa.co/48HwI0k), one of only six African companies to receive this accolade.

In April 2023, Mukuru officially ranked sixth on the 2023 LinkedIn Top Companies List in South Africa.

Mukuru was celebrated for innovation and excellence at the 2023 Africa Tech Festival Awards, receiving the Fintech Innovation of the Year Award – an acknowledgment of the transformative power of financial technology in driving economic growth, financial inclusion, and digital transformation.

Further information can be found at https://www.Mukuru.com.

Orange (www.Orange.com), in partnership with the European Union and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) announces the launch of the “DigiGreen&Agri” project, an ambitious initiative to promote digital innovation for a transition to a more sustainable and inclusive economy. The overall objective of this project is to contribute to the creation of decent jobs, support the development and financing of startups within the ecosystem, and promote sustainable investments.

Initiated as part of the Team Europe Initiatives for sustainable cocoa and the low-carbon transition, the “DigiGreen&Agri” project focuses on the development of entrepreneurship, enhancing youth employability across the entire value chain of cocoa and sustainable agriculture, through digital technology. There will be a particular emphasis on youth in rural youth, women, girls, and people with disabilities through the Orange Digital Center in Côte d’Ivoire.

This ambitious partnership benefits from joint funding of €7.6 million and aims to achieve several strategic objectives:

Improving professional skills: the project aims to strengthen the professional skills of young people and women in the digital sector by offering them new opportunities in the constantly changing labour market.
Entrepreneurship promotion: “DigiGreen&Agri” will support the creation and strengthening of strong digital startups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), thus fostering innovation and economic growth.
Development of sustainable digital solutions: the partnership will strengthen the capacities of startups and MSMEs to develop and market innovative digital solutions, thus contributing to the modernization and innovation of sustainable agriculture sectors, low-carbon transition and corporate social responsibility.
Acceleration of the growth of seed startups: a seed fund will be dedicated to financing the most promising startups. Orange and GIZ will draw on the expertise of the Digital Africa programme to provide funding to startups in the ecosystem to enable them to develop their activities and accelerate their growth.

By working closely with local stakeholders, Orange, the European Union and GIZ are committed to supporting young talent, promoting entrepreneurship and catalyzing economic development in the most vulnerable communities.

Orange and GIZ are collaborating under the develoPPP programme, which is implemented on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The DigiGreen&Agri project is supported by the special initiative “Decent Employment for a Just Transition” and co-financed by the European Union.

Francesca Di Mauro, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire: “I am delighted to attend the launch of this DigiGreen&Agri project, which places youth employability at the heart of its objectives, by proposing the development of new digital solutions for sustainable agriculture and the green economy and the creation of quality jobs. This project reflects the European desire to strengthen smart, clean and secure links in the digital sector, one of the pillars of the Global Gateway strategy. It is also the result of an excellent collaboration between the private and public sectors in team Europe format: Orange’s expertise and investments, in synergy with the development aid resources of the EU and Germany, are mobilized for the inclusive growth of the country.”

Axel Klaphake, Director of Division GIZ: “This unprecedented cooperation format between GIZ, the European Union and Orange is the first development partnership with the private sector cofunded by the European Union and implemented by the develoPPP programme with the support of the Special Initiative «Decent Employment for a Just Transition» commissioned by the BMZ in Côte d’Ivoire. It will reach a very broad target group and create synergies with other cooperation programmes currently in place in Côte d’Ivoire. Technical and financial support for startups will help create jobs and build the capacity of young entrepreneurs to come up with innovative ideas to strengthen the agricultural sector, especially the sustainable cocoa sector. We are pleased to launch this partnership with our public and private partners and thank all the actors who made this cooperation possible.”

Jérôme Hénique, CEO Orange Middle East&Africa: “Orange’s commitment to sustainable development and innovation is once again taking shape today through our partnership with the German Cooperation and the European Union to support the digital transformation of the cocoa sector in Côte d’Ivoire. The Orange Digital Centers are essential vectors of this transformation, offering a free and open innovation ecosystem, with a particular focus on youth, women and vulnerable people. Together, we are taking up the challenge of building an inclusive and environmentally friendly digital future for a more sustainable and prosperous economy. “

Mamadou Bamba, Managing Director Orange Côte d’Ivoire: “This project is a concrete illustration of Orange’s commitment to sustainable development in Africa. As a responsible digital operator, we believe that digital can play a crucial role in solving the challenges of the 21st century. That is why we are proud to partner with the European Union and GIZ to implement this ambitious project. I am convinced that the DigiGreen&Agri project will have a positive and lasting impact on the cocoa sector in Côte d’Ivoire and will help create jobs and improve the living conditions of farmers and people.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Orange Middle East and Africa.

About Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA):
Orange is present in 18 countries in Africa and the Middle East and has 149 million customers at 31 December 2023. With 7.1 billion euros of revenues in 2023, Orange MEA is the first growth area in the Orange group. Orange Money, its flagship mobile-based money transfer and financial services offer is available in 17 countries and has more than 90 million customers. Orange, multi-services operator, key partner of the digital transformation provides its expertise to support the development of new digital services in Africa and the Middle East.

Orange Digital Center is a free ecosystem open to all to support, train and mentor young people and innovative idea holders, especially girls and women to support their employability and prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow or encourage them to undertake in the digital world.

About the European Union:
The European Union maintains a mutually beneficial relationship with Côte d’Ivoire based on shared values, ambitions and common interests. With its Member States and the European Investment Bank, gathered as «Team Europe», it is committed to supporting the efforts of the Ivorian government to create the conditions for the optimal implementation of initiatives in line with the priority sectors of EU action in Côte d’Ivoire, namely the development of human capital, sustainability, peace and stability.

With the Global Gateway Strategy, the European Union aims to foster local added value, sustainable growth and job creation, especially for young people, by supporting clean and safe investments in the areas of among others, digital, energy and transport.

About GIZ:
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a service provider of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education worldwide, employing 25,422 people. GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide range of fields, from economic and employment promotion to peace and security, energy and environment. Its business volume is around 4 billion euros. As a federal utility, GIZ helps in some 120 countries the German Federal Government and in particular the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development as well as a large number of public and private clients and clients to achieve their international cooperation objectives. Together with its partners, GIZ develops effective solutions that open up opportunities for people and sustainably improve their living conditions.

For more information on the “DigiGreen&Agri” project, please contact:

Press contact:
Orange: 
Stella Fumey 
stella.fumey@orange.com

European Union:
Aminata Paraiso 
aminata.paraiso@eeas.euro pa.eu

GIZ: 
Roseline Fischer 
roseline.fischer@giz.de

In today’s digitally connected world, consumers tend to expect every business to be fully searchable for product information, location, operating hours with an easily accessible website online.  According to recent GoDaddy (https://www.GoDaddy.com) global research, 90% of small businesses surveyed said they felt that digitalization of their business was either very important or quite important to them.

With so much opportunity to share with your business with people in your local area and around the world, it is likely many businesses are considering how to build a stronger online presence this year.

GoDaddy shares six tips to help build a website to help a business be visible online and serve as a professional hub for your digital presence.

Consider the purpose of your website. When you know your business so well, it can be easy to get caught up in the design and functionality of what you know instead of what you would like consumers to know about your business. Take time to decide what is the purpose of your website and how do you want viewers to engage with it.  It is a good idea to be very clear on the front page of your website on what your business offers.  For example, a restaurant owner might want to show their location and menu images, while retailers might focus on showcasing their products for sale, and businesses selling experiences might consider videos and content as the best way to generate excitement before prompting a booking or inquiry.
Tell your story creatively. As a business owner, consider what might set you apart from everyone else in a similar business. Perhaps, it is the story behind why you do what you do. Videos, images, and blog content could be a great way for prospect customers to get to know your brand personality behind your business, as well as your story behind your business. This can lead to deeper connections with your target audiences which could positively impact the growth of your business and help to set you apart from the competition.
Be clear about your call-to-action. One way you could generate leads from a website is by having a clear call-to-action. The type of call-to-action you use could vary depending on the product or service your business offers. What would you like prospective and current customers to do on your website? Buy a product, learn more about your business by reading your blog, know where to find you on a map, see what your business does and how it might help the viewer solve a problem. It is important that your call-to-action be prominent on your website and encourages your customers to take a next step.
Start simply with lots of room for growth. It’s easy to get excited thinking about all the different website features and functions you could incorporate, but it’s important to pay close attention to what you really need to get started. A simple website is both easy and cost-effective to build, it can be easier for customers to navigate and come away with the information they were looking for.  Starting simply can also allow you to find time to focus on updating with fresh quality content, fast loading speeds, and mobile optimization.
Focus on your target audience. Have a clear idea about who your target audience is and focus on delivering an exceptional online experience for them. There are many things about your target audience that could influence the design, function, and content on your website. Some key questions could include: How old are they? What activities do they like to do? How do they communicate? How do they consume content? The answers to all these questions can help you create a website that resonates with your target audience and can effectively communicate how your products or services solve their problems or fit with their lifestyle.
Choose the right website tools and hosting provider: Once you have determined the strategy for your website, the next step is to build it. The good news is that today there are tech tools that help to make it quick and easy to build and maintain a website without having a technical degree. GoDaddy Website Builder (https://apo-opa.co/4aV9HaL) for example, offers templates, images, features text and other information to help you easily build a professional website for your business.  You may choose to have your website hosted by the same provider where you have registered your domain, for a more integrated experience.

Creating a home for your business on the internet can be a way to help you grow your business and stay engaged with your customers for many years to come. And now might be the best time to get started.

For more information on how GoDaddy can help your small business get started online: https://www.GoDaddy.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GoDaddy.

About GoDaddy: 
​GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers, sell their products and services, and accept payments online. GoDaddy’s easy-to-use tools help microbusiness owners manage everything in one place and its expert guides are available to provide assistance 24/7.  To learn more about the company, visit https://www.GoDaddy.com