We are thrilled to announce the release of the 2024 HiPipo #WomenInFinTech Magazine on International Women’s Day today. This edition showcases the stories of women in Uganda and East Africa who have led the way towards financial inclusion, community empowerment, and transformative progress in the FinTech sector. The publication features a series of inspiring accounts […]
In the wake of the influential and widely celebrated inaugural “100 Women in FinTech” listing in 2023, we are excited to announce an even more ambitious and impactful edition for 2024. This year’s edition expands on the previous year’s achievements and introduces several new dimensions to recognise and celebrate the women leading the way in […]
Earning money is very hard but spending needs no rocket science. For instance, it is not news that someone can have TSh. 1,000,000 in the morning and by evening, s/he has used up all the money. This may be due to unnecessary spending, extravagance or poor planning. Nonetheless, Innovators are using technology to develop tools […]
We are pleased to announce the launch of Digital Money Movers, a monthly publication dedicated to exploring the dynamic world of digital innovation and financial services. The journal delves into the compelling stories, significant developments, and influential figures shaping FinTech innovation, digital payments, and financial inclusion across Africa. Digital Money Movers is designed to be […]
Savings and Credit groups are common across Africa. While they have contributed greatly to the development of local communities, their strong reliance on manual and cash-based processes makes them prone to fraud and mismanagement. But, innovators are now using technology to counter these challenges by developing platforms that digitize these savings and credit groups. One […]
Now and then, people have emergencies and thus seek credit services. Ideally, loans should be affordable with reasonable payment terms. But in the real market environment, most loans are very expensive; the interests are exorbitant, and the terms unrealistic. Money Lenders, mainly loan sharks exploit borrowers who usually don’t have any alternative. To address these […]
Japheth and Benaiah, both seasoned freelancers, had firsthand experience with the challenges of managing payments and records. Even though they would execute their work professionally and diligently, their payments and record-keeping were a mess. ‘Frustrated by the limitations of existing payment solutions, they set out on a mission to create something truly remarkable.’ They created […]
Piggy Banks are lately used to cultivate a saving culture among children. The same, when well managed can motivate even adults to save and later enjoy the benefits of their savings. Technology has made this even easier with new smart ways of saving and investing. In Tanzania, the Kiasi APP was launched to enable targeted […]
On Day 36 of the 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative for Tanzania, we interacted with Helen Lukundo Chonjo, the Founder and Team Lead at Macho Technologies Limited. Macho Technologies Limited is through its flagship solution, Thamani, using technology to digitize the valuation, insurance and resale of motor vehicles. First implemented in Uganda, 40 Days 40 […]
We are delighted to announce the release of the 40 Days 40 FinTechs Report 2023, a comprehensive celebration of innovation, inclusivity, and impact in the ever-evolving FinTech space. This annual program, organized by HiPipo in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, showcases the transformative potential of digital finance in Africa. Key Highlights: We […]
On Day 35 of the 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative for Tanzania, we caught up with Nice Msangi; the director of partnerships at IDC Tanzania and overseer of Founders Academy. Both IDC and Founders Academy are at the centre of start-ups and innovators’ empowerment in Tanzania. Importantly, Nice Msangi is the 40 Days 40 FinTechs […]
Savings and credit services are spread across the world. Away from the formal banking systems, most people across Africa come together under small village, community and work associations and start banking groups. They then save on a daily, bi-weekly, weekly, after a fortnight or monthly. They meet periodically, usually every week to review the progress […]
With a population of close to 1.5 billion people, Africa is a continent of endless opportunities. However, due to poor infrastructure, high illiteracy rates and low technology adoption among others, most of these opportunities remain untapped. For instance, the majority of Africans are financially excluded because of the absence of equitable financial products and services. […]
Even though Africa has very many young and talented innovators, most of their start-ups suffer from failure to break even, are bogged down by poor business governance issues and eventually succumb to early exits from the market. Among the major factors that contribute to these early exits is a lack of proper business mentorship, which […]
Tax compliance is key to economic transformation globally as the revenues collected are then used to finance service delivery and infrastructure development. But sometimes, individuals and organizations alike fail to comply due to a cocktail of issues such as the absence of proper tools to support collections and ignorance. To cure these ills, the government […]
Kariakoo is Dar es Salaam’s largest and most vibrant market; filled with energy and a rich cultural experience. The market attracts hundreds of sellers and buyers every day who complete multiple transactions. Being an African market, Kariakoo’s preferred mode of transaction has always been cash. But this is fast changing. A few years ago, a […]
Minus channelling a lot of resources towards product development, companies also spend quite a lot on marketing and sales. But then after doing all of this, many companies struggle to collect payments due to either the absence of effective payment tools or ignorance about the seamless payment tools available on the market. This is where […]
One of the key challenges faced by credit-offering institutions is payments’ collection. Many customers fail to pay promptly because they don’t have the funds while others may have the funds but are simply unwilling to comply. This is further worsened by the hard economic times currently witnessed globally. However, innovators are using technology to address […]
Even though eCommerce platforms have been around for decades, they were not very popular in Africa until 2020, when the unfortunate COVID-19 pandemic happened. The COVID-19 pandemic brought e-commerce platforms to the forefront as the world searched for safe and convenient ways of shopping. Since then, eCommerce has been a fast-growing business around globally. E-commerce […]
Tanzanian FinTech company, Ramani is leading the transformation of Africa’s supply chains through the development of the latest technology financial infrastructure. Founded in 2019, Ramani is focused on fixing fragmented consumer goods supply chains that traditionally suffer from a lack of data visibility and are burdened by limited access to financial services. It fixes this […]
It is not unusual that you will have TZS 100,000 in the morning and by evening you will have spent it all. This is so because while making more is hard, managing this money after earning is even much harder. But that is where technology comes in handy. Innovators have developed several tools to spearhead […]
Customers are always looking out for new gadgets and the latest devices so that to keep up with the fast-moving world. While the demand for new gadgets, devices and accessories is never-ending, the prices are always a turn-off. These products are not only expensive but most of the stores require customers to make full payments […]
Public road transport is a common and pocket-friendly type of transport across East Africa. It is either you use a bus, coaster, taxi, cab or get a motorbike. Motorbikes have over the years been transformed into different types and given different names. Depending on the East African country you reside in, you will hear names […]
Now and then, you may have to purchase a particular product or service. Usually, most of these purchases are done with full payments. That is to say, if Item X costs TZS 200,000, the buyer will make this payment and then acquire the said item. The other way goods and services are acquired is on […]
Tanzania has a very vibrant entertainment life with several chart-topping artists, supported by millions of partygoers. As such, a week cannot pass without an entertainment event happening in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, Moshi, Dodoma, Morogoro and Zanzibar. While entertainment is a lucrative business in Tanzania, it has its downside; with one unique challenge affecting […]
Insurance penetration in Africa is very low with South Africa rated highest, at only 12 percent. In Tanzania, Insurance penetration stood at less than 2 per cent by the end of 2021. It is the same story across East Africa; Uganda – 1 per cent, Burundi – 1 per cent, Rwanda – 2.3 per cent […]
All a customer needs are effective solutions that address his or her needs. Be it shopping, money transfers, entertainment or health services among others, end-users are always looking out for efficient services. While there are several service providers, all promising effectiveness and efficiency, many fall short, leaving customers displeased. To mitigate this, innovators continue to […]
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that Universal health coverage can only be achieved when there is affordable access to safe, effective and quality medicines and health products. Countries face a range of obstacles to achieving this, including rising prices for new medicines, shortages and stockouts of essential medicines, especially for non-communicable diseases, and the […]
STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics have since time immemorial been at the forefront of global transformation, with most innovations rotating around it. But, learning science, technology, engineering and mathematics is an expensive venture, requiring lots of time and resources. With this in mind, innovators are looking for smart and better ways of democratizing […]
Imagine you are in the middle of cooking your favorite meal and all of a sudden, everything stops due to an empty gas cylinder. To those who cook frequently, these are things that can happen now and then. Now imagine that as soon as you find out that your gas cylinder is almost getting empty, […]
Dear Friends, Partners, and Community, As the sun sets on 2023, we at HiPipo take a moment to reflect on a year filled with groundbreaking achievements, innovations, and collaborations that have propelled us to new heights. It is with immense pride and deep gratitude that we share these milestones with you, our invaluable supporters, who […]
At the start of every school term, there are always long queues of students and parents in financial institutions; some withdrawing money and others depositing the same as school fees. This is a time-consuming and risky exercise dreaded by most stakeholders. But financial technology is reducing most of this hustle with innovators developing and launching […]
Weddings in Africa are major social events. Families and friends plan for months on how to give a befitting ceremony to those intending to wed and the hundreds of guests that will bear them witness. These elaborate plans involve lots of funds; a fact that makes wedding contributions and pledges a key element of these […]
The twenty-first century came with its unique disruptions, with technology taking centre stage. But the COVID-19 pandemic is to date the biggest unexpected occurrence. The effects of this pandemic will last for a very long. On one hand, COVID-19 negatively affected every aspect of life; deaths in millions, jobs lost in millions, and global stress […]
Agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa is mainly dominated by Subsistence, Smallholder Farmers and Agro-Small and Medium Enterprises. These collectively contribute greatly to the continent’s Food Basket, enhance Food Security and also employ millions of people. That said, they face enormous challenges, many of which threaten their long-term survival. Such challenges include limited resources, unpredictable seasons, poor […]
Health is the biggest wealth that any human being can have in their entire life. But access to quality health services is a huge challenge globally with most people in Africa and Asia unable to get dignified healthcare. But, some steps are being taken to address these glaring health services disparities. While governments, the private […]
Globally, access to justice is recognized as both a basic human right and a means to protect other universally recognized human rights. One of the major obstacles to accessing justice is the cost of legal advice and representation. The other is ignorance about the law. These challenges continue to stop millions across Africa from seeking […]
Tourism is one of the biggest revenue earners for the East African region. According to data from the East African Community (EAC) secretariat, the sector contributes an average of about 17 per cent to export earnings and its contribution to GDP is quite substantial averaging at around 10 per cent. It generates up to 10 […]
Searching and finding a house to rent as a home or a business is a huge hustle involving several brokers and agents. But when you are fortunate to find your preferred house, another issue comes in. The majority of the property owners and managers have rent agreements that guarantee them bulk payments that are yearly, […]
On Day Seven of the 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative for Tanzania, we visited Settlo Technologies; a FinTech that provides Small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) with an easy-to-use POS (point-of-sale) app to help them keep their records such as sales, and expenses, accept digital payments in mobile and card payments, sell online with free E-Commerce […]
Many businesses mainly start-ups, informal, small and medium enterprises always struggle to collect payments and later disburse funds. As such several end up doing cash transactions that are not only time-wasting but also expensive and risky. It is these ills that financial technology seeks to cure by enabling digital transactions that are affordable, reliable and […]
On Day Two of the inaugural 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative for Tanzania, we bring to you the fascinating story of Kilimo Maendeleo; an AgriTech and Fintech company operating as a social enterprise engaged in innovating business solutions for rural enterprises and rural livelihood with a special focus on small & medium scale farmers. Kilimo […]
The inaugural 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative for Tanzania has started on a high with Bizzyn; an innovative technology company focused on delivering cloud accounting and financial management solutions to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across Africa. With a mission to simplify financial processes and empower SMEs, Bizzyn offers user-friendly software to streamline tasks such […]
The inaugural 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative for Tanzania has kicked off with a focus on tracing the journeys of financial technology stakeholders from all over the country. First implemented in Uganda, 40 Days 40 FinTechs is an annual FinTech Innovation initiative presented by HiPipo to recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations who are making […]
HiPipo has kicked off its implementation of the Include EveryOne program in the United Republic of Tanzania with a detailed introduction of the Level One Project Principles to FinTechs, Innovators and other Financial Inclusion stakeholders. The Level One Project is an initiative of the Gates Foundation’s Financial Services for the Poor (FSP) program, which is […]
The government of Tanzania has lauded HiPipo’s deliberate digital and financial inclusion efforts that continue to address longstanding disparities, close gender diversity gaps and advocate for equity for thousands of underserved and unserved populations across Africa. As proof of its commendation of these digital and financial inclusion works, the government through the Tanzania Information and […]
The 2023 Digital Impact Awards Africa celebrated pioneering achievements and innovations in the digital sphere, honouring exceptional organizations and individuals who have showcased significant strides in advancing financial inclusion in Africa. MTN Uganda & MTN MoMo took home the biggest award after being crowned as the Digital Brand of the Decade for their remarkable impact […]
During the 2023 Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit, industry stakeholders noted the need for improved infrastructure to improve business operations and counter the surging instances of fraud. Held at Kampala Serena Hotel, the 2023 Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit was organized by HiPipo in partnership with Level One Project, Mojaloop Foundation, INFITX, Cyberplc Academy, Ideation […]
HiPipo takes this apt opportunity to unveil the 2023 Digital Impact Awards Africa nominees. The release of the nominations follows the completion of both the entries’ submission and verification processes that have been ongoing since mid-July. The shortlisted nominees come from hundreds of entries done through the nomination portal and direct digital submissions by potential […]
A team of three engineering students from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) has won the 2023 Women in FinTech Hackathon. The winners were announced at the 2023 Women in FinTech Summit presided over by Hon Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo, the Minister of State for ICT at Mestil Hotel, Kampala. The summit was the climax […]