The Palgrave Handbook of FinTech in Africa and Middle East
This book tells the African FinTech stories and provides a comprehensive overview of the current situations within the five economic zones in Africa - the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), North Africa and the GCC countries. It explores the intersection of finance and technology, highlighting the latest trends and innovations in the African FinTech landscape, and examines the technology behind financial services in Africa, including mobile money services, blockchain, and digital payment solutions. It addresses the economic impact of FinTech on African countries, including how it is transforming financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and investment. It discusses the regulatory and policy environment for FinTech in Africa and Middle East, including how governments and policymakers are responding to the growth of the sector and what challenges they face with real-life examples of African entrepreneurs who are leveraging technology to innovate and disrupt traditional financial services, highlighting their successes, challenges, and impact on the sector. It offers real-world case studies to illustrate how FinTech is being used in African and Middle East communities with a deeper understanding of its impact on individuals and businesses. It will be helpful for entrepreneurs, academics, bankers, consultants, investors, and policymakers.
Dr. Konstantinos Tsanis is a distinguished investment professional and technology expert, currently serving as Investment Director at the Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation. With a global portfolio in technology investment, he previously oversaw investments in Digital Banks at the International Finance Corporation (IFC)/World Bank Group, supporting leading global tech companies and national digital strategies. He also spearheaded the launch of Africa’s first digital bank, ALAT By WEMA. Earlier in his career, he advanced the strategy and growth of Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters in emerging markets and advised startups on fundraising ($1–$40 million), scaling, and ecosystem development. His insights have shaped technology policies and fostered innovation-friendly environments. He obtained his PhD in Strategy at the University of Edinburgh Business School. An active academic, his work has been featured in Harvard Business Review and MIT Technology Review. He currently sits in the board of 2 early stage start-ups (Lotus Finance and Koniku). He has won multiple industry awards (Finovator of the year 2019, Digital Bank of the year 2018) and is a sought-after keynote speaker, widely recognized for his contributions to investment and innovation.
Dr. Heather Webb is an Assistant Professor of Business at Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Men's College where she teaches strategy, entrepreneurship, strategic marketing, project management and other international business courses. She has also taken on the role of being the Applied Research Coordinator for Dubai Campuses. She received both her PhD in Management and her MSc in International Business and Emerging Markets (IBEM) from the University of Edinburgh, and her BA in History from the University of Washington. She has successfully published research on strategy, innovation, sustainability, artificial intelligence, mobile payment systems, Internet of Things, green marketing, sustainable innovation, and mental health. Additionally, she has also served as an editor of many business books with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. Currently, she is principal investigator (PI) on two UAE government grants concerning cyber security and mental health. She has presented her work at the Academy of Management (AOM) and the Academy of International Business (AIB).
Dr Amira Kaddour is an Assistant Professor at the National School of Sciences and Advanced Technologies, Carthage University, Tunisia. She has joined the Financial Management Department, College of Business at King Khalid University since August 2023. She is a Principal Researcher for Inclusive and Sustainable Ecosystems. Her academic work encompasses finance, fintech, digital transformation, the green transition, and inclusive approaches to sustainable development. She is a senior expert in fintech, sustainable finance and inclusive development (MED MSMEs programme – EU, Includovate, etc.) She was the scientific coordinator of Elite Innovation College, Cambridge, UK. She has initiated the collaboration between ENSTAB Carthage University Tunisia and WIPO -UN for the master's degree “Innovation Engineering and Technology Transfer”. She is a member of the director board of different African associations (Africa FinTech Network) and international knowledge organizations (ISKO MAGHREB). She has given numerous talks and received international awards.
Dr. Olayinka David-West is a Professor of Information Systems with professional experience in the IT and financial services industry and a passionate advocate for digital transformation and inclusive finance. Her research and practice engagements involve policy and strategic management interventions towards digitally transformed businesses and society. She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from Manchester Business School, and an MSc in Business Systems Analysis and Design from City University, London, and a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Lagos. She has published research on information systems, financial inclusion, digital financial services, digital platforms, innovation, and sustainability. She is a thought leader and active participant in the Fintech (IT, financial services and regulation) and financial inclusion ecosystems. With the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), she leads the Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Financial Services (SIDFS) initiative, a research and advocacy programme dedicated to enhancing financial inclusion in Nigeria. With her technical knowledge and communication skills, she frequently facilitates active discussions in the capacity of technical Master of Ceremony (MC), panel discussion moderator and interlocutor. She has led consulting engagements for organisations including the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), the World Bank Group (WBG) and Microsoft Nigeria.
