TechInAfrica – One of Africa’s leading financial technology companies, Cellulant, has its CEO, Ken Njoronge, named as the recipient of the 2019 Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The awards recognize and identify with the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. The honor Njoronge received served for Cellulant’s work in building digital payments and financial services that allow businesses and consumers in critical sectors, such as agriculture, retail distribution, transport, logistics, and e-commerce to access services at the very point where they need them.
The Head of the Schwab Foundation, François Bonnici, spoke while presenting the award to the winner about the representation the winners are sending for a new ecosystem of leaders who are driving change and shifting organizations and systems toward a more just, inclusive, sustainable future. “There’s a growing recognition that social innovation has diffused into every sector and institution, and the presence of pioneering agents of change re-inventing the way our institutions operate is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,’’ said Bonnici.
Njoroge said broadening access to financial services is the key to enhancing household savings, mobilizing capital for investment, expanding the class of entrepreneurs, and enabling more people to invest in themselves and their families. He added that global recognition shall encourage everyone at Cellulant to continue striving to overcome challenges by designing, developing and deploying cutting-edge innovations and business models.
The firm offers some services that include easy-to-access digital payment solutions, interoperable financial services, and mobile banking solutions that can help the unbanked open accounts, cut fees, and save for the future. It also helps farmers and small and medium-sized business owners to expand their business with improved financial services. Cellulant’s customer base was previously unbanked before signing up for the service, for more than 94 percent of them.
Source: Biztechafrica.com