The 7th FITSPA Annual Fintech Conference, held at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel on Tuesday, under the theme “Fintech for Sustainable Growth: Innovations, Investments & Inclusion,” served as a powerful convergence of Africa’s top financial technology leaders, regulators, and innovators.
The central message resonating throughout the event was unequivocal: collaboration, security, and a deep-seated purpose are the true architects of Africa’s digital transformation.
The summit, proudly powered by MTN Uganda and its Mobile Money service (MoMo by MTN), featured a high-impact fireside chat titled ‘Navigating New Frontiers as Architects of Transformation’, which brought together MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Mulinge, MoMo CEO Richard Yego, plus M-Pesa Africa MD Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, and was moderated by Peter Kawumi of Interswitch East Africa.
Leading with Purpose and Clarity
A core focus of the discussion centered on MTN Uganda’s ongoing transition from a traditional telecommunications provider to a fully integrated technology company.
Mulinge provided strategic clarity on how such a massive transformation from telecom to tech must be led:
Design, Not Default
She emphasised that transformation must begin with a clear sense of purpose.
“You have to lead by design, not by default. Build a business that’s deeply rooted in your why. The outcomes you want to generate come from being purposeful,” Mulinge said.
Alignment with National Vision
She issued a direct challenge to the fintech ecosystem to align its innovations with the nation’s broader goals and national development aspirations.
Mulinge noted that innovators must be “updated with the manifesto,” asking themselves: “What is your role in advancing the 10x fold strategy of the Government of Uganda?”
Trust as the Foundation of Financial Services
In an era of rising cyber threats and mobile money fraud, the leaders unanimously stressed that security and trust are non-negotiable foundations for sustainable financial growth.
MoMo CEO Yego was emphatic on this point, saying, “Innovation alone is not enough. Security and trust remain the foundation of financial services. What we offer our customers is trust. Without it, the entire system collapses.”
Yego underscored that combating fraud is a top priority for MoMo, with ongoing efforts to enhance security, protect customers, and build a safer, more transparent mobile money environment.
This commitment, he noted, ensures the platforms remain accessible, reliable, and transparent.
Innovation Beyond Products
Both Mulinge and Yego highlighted that true innovation transcends mere product creation; it is about delivering a meaningful customer experience.
Mulinge stated that innovation must be about “designing experiences that connect deeply with people and make a real difference in their lives.”
This sentiment was echoed by Yego in the call for every service and interaction to “start with understanding the customer.”
The conversation also received a significant jolt of inspiration from Lopokoiyit, who delivered a keynote address challenging attendees to re-examine how the African Fintech story is framed.
He inspired the leaders to “think beyond our current paradigms,” asserting that Africa is well-positioned to build a competitive advantage by making the right strategic choices today.
The conference, which successfully brought together startups, regulators, and industry titans, reinforced the idea that sustainable growth is a collective mission; one that thrives on shared vision, collaboration, and a relentless drive for financial inclusion across the continent.