Scrums.com FinTech Arena Podcast

Ep.7: Standard Bank – Solving for Scale, Inclusion & Investment with Kwanele Onyango

🎧 Welcome to Scrums.com's FinTech Arena!
 
A podcast dedicated to FinTech leaders who want to stay ahead in the fast-evolving industry. In each 30-minute episode, we uncover actionable insights and strategies from top innovators in the world of finance and technology.
 
🎙 Episode Guest: Kwanele Onyango — Executive: Telecoms & Fintech at Standard Bank Group
Roles: Sector specialist, fintech strategist, and legal-finance crossover leader
Expertise: Fintech expansion, cross-border strategy, tech sector specialization
Fun Fact: Kwanele once practiced law in London before pivoting into fintech strategy and is deeply passionate about tech-driven inclusion in emerging markets.
🌟 Key Topics Covered
TMT & Sector Strategy at Standard Bank: Kwanele details how the bank’s sector-based model brings deep specialization to telecoms, media, and tech (TMT) clients. Her team supports everything from telcos and data centers to high-growth fintechs through capital, partnership, and strategic counsel.
Beyond the Big Four: While South Africa and Kenya are often spotlighted, Kwanele emphasizes that Egypt and Nigeria are powerhouses too—highlighting payment innovation, lending platforms, and upcoming open banking reforms that will reshape Africa’s fintech infrastructure. Cross-
Continental Deals: A landmark transaction: Standard Bank co-funded Intersect’s acquisition of Europe-based Moderum—showcasing how African fintechs can blend local tech talent with global revenue opportunities.
It’s a compelling model: low-cost, high-skill South African teams driving growth abroad.
What Investors Want: Post-2020, investor focus has shifted from hype to fundamentals: scalable models, stable management, hard currency revenues, and sector alignment. Kwanele outlines how "backing the jockey" (i.e., betting on the right team) is key to long-term returns.
Solving Africa’s Hard Problems: Success in African fintech often comes from solving real-world challenges—like smartphone access (e.g., M-Kopa), last-mile infrastructure, or micro-lending models tailored to informal earners. Kwanele shares how these business models yield not only impact but also solid financial returns.
AI’s Real Role in African Fintech: From alternative credit scoring to fraud detection, AI is already embedded in fintech workflows. But African markets demand contextual innovation—accounting for inconsistent ID systems, infrastructure limitations, and hybrid physical-digital models.
Investor’s Guide to Africa: Africa is not a monolith. Fintech investors must zoom in on specific regions, build partnerships, and understand the physical + digital blend unique to African markets. As regulators open up national payment systems, now is a strategic moment to enter.
🚀 Key Lessons for FinTech Leaders
✅ Specialize & Solve: The best returns in African fintech come from solving real problems—access, affordability, infrastructure—and aligning capital to fit regional realities.
✅ Talent + Strategy Wins: Back visionary teams with strong execution chops and local-market fluency.
✅ Cross-Border Potential: African fintechs are scaling across borders—into both neighboring markets and global corridors.
✅ The AI Edge: Credit, security, and user personalization are all being enhanced by AI—but deployment must be market-specific.
✅ Don’t Generalize Africa: Understand regional nuances, from Egypt’s payments ecosystem to Nigeria’s open banking moves.
🎯 Actionable Takeaways
If you're investing in African fintech, think regionally, not continentally.
Partner with banks like Standard Bank that live and breathe your sector.
Design for resilience—market shifts, regulation, and infrastructure constraints are the norm.
Use AI to unlock scale, but localize for fragmented realities.
Back founders solving hard problems—real utility drives sustainable growth.
📖 Kwanele’s FinTech Insight
"If you're solving a real-world problem in Africa, chances are you're also building a very solid business. Accessibility, infrastructure, education—these aren’t just gaps; they’re growth markets."
🔗 Stay ahead in fintech, digital infrastructure, and tech finance. Visit www.scrums.com for expert insights on Africa’s fintech and innovation ecosystem.
📌 Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & Kwanele’s Journey from Law to Fintech
01:14 – What is TMT & Why Sector Expertise Matters
03:22 – Fintech Hubs Beyond SA & Kenya: Spotlight on Egypt & Nigeria
06:12 – Cross-Border Growth: The Intersect x Moderum Deal
08:40 – What Investors Want: Scalable, Profitable, Passionate Founders
13:37 – Fintech for Good: Solving Accessibility & Infrastructure Gaps
16:57 – Leapfrogging & Local Innovation
18:06 – Real AI Use Cases in African Fintech
21:38 – Why Now is the Time to Invest in African Fintech
29:11 – Kwanele’s Book Pick: Brotherless Night
 
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Ep.6: Versofy – The Pivot That Sparked a Solar Movement with Ross Mains-Sheard

🎧 Welcome to Scrums.com's FinTech Arena!
 
A podcast dedicated to FinTech leaders who want to stay ahead in the fast-evolving industry. In each 30-minute episode, we uncover actionable insights and strategies from top innovators in the world of finance and technology.
 
🎙 Episode Guest
Ross Mains-Sheard — Co-Founder and CEO at Versofy SOLAR
Expertise: Renewable energy solutions, platform business models, sustainable tech development
Fun Fact: Ross has always been inspired by the tech revolution and Silicon Valley, channeling that passion into solving real-world problems through technology.
 
🌟 Key Topics Covered
From Yellow Pages to Solar Power: The evolution of Versofy from a storage aggregation website to a leading solar company, focusing on solving accessibility issues with innovative finance solutions.
COVID-19 and the Pivotal Shift: How the pandemic led to a significant pivot towards solar, narrowing down focus and driving significant growth despite initial challenges.
Platform Mindset & Market Access: The journey from a broad service marketplace to specializing in solar, driven by the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions.
The South African Energy Challenge: Tackling the energy crisis through affordable solutions and making solar power accessible to everyone, transcending financial barriers.
Innovation & Empowerment: Keeping ahead by continuously improving and setting industry standards in customer experience, finance options, and technology adoption.
The Future of Versofy: Dreams of expanding into new markets, exporting South African-born solutions globally, while remaining committed to empowering local communities and businesses.
 
🚀 Key Lessons for FinTech Leaders
✅ Solve Real Problems: Focus on tangible solutions to pressing issues; the greater the problem, the larger the opportunity.
✅ Continuous Innovation: Stay ahead by constantly refining customer experiences and adopting new technologies.
✅ Market Adaptability: Be prepared to pivot and adapt your business model in response to external challenges and market changes.
✅ Focus on Impact: Empower clients and communities, addressing their immediate needs with sustainable solutions.
 
🎯 Actionable Takeaways
Make your company a platform that simplifies life for your customers.
Prioritize transparency and ease of access when developing finance solutions.
Leverage technology to empower businesses and communities sustainably.
Stay grounded in the meaningful impact your solutions have on lives and economies.
 
📖 Ross’s Reading Picks
“Losing My Virginity” by Richard Branson - An inspiring entrepreneurial journey, with a relatable approach to innovation and business grit. “
The Road Less Stupid” - A practical guide to avoiding common entrepreneurial mistakes and navigating business challenges efficiently.
 
🔗 Stay at the forefront of fintech, renewable energy, and innovation. Visit www.scrums.com for expert insights on digital transformation and business evolution.
 
📌 Chapters
00:00 – Introduction & Ross’s Journey with Versofy
01:59 – The Birth of Versofy: From Aggregation to Niche Market
02:26 – Pivoting to Solar: Challenges and Opportunities
05:55 – Platform Business Models and Marketplace Dynamics
07:55 – Adapting to Market Demands: Understanding Tech & Energy
11:20 – Leadership Amidst Change: Fostering Innovation
15:58 – Evolution of Solar Solutions: Innovation and Competition
17:56 – Future Horizons: Expanding Versofy’s Reach
22:00 – Insights on Empowerment and Sustainable Leadership
25:21 – Ross’s Book Picks: Essential Entrepreneurial Reads
26:27 – Closing Thoughts & The Future of FinTech and Renewable Energy
 
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Ep.5: Standard Bank – Financing Africa’s Digital Future with Kumbi Gundani

🎧 Welcome to Scrums.com's FinTech Arena!
 
A podcast dedicated to FinTech leaders who want to stay ahead in the fast-evolving industry. In each 30-minute episode, we uncover actionable insights and strategies from top innovators in the world of finance and technology.
 
🎙 Episode Guest
Kumbi Gundani — Head of Telecommunications, Media & Technology Sector, Standard Bank Group
Roles: Sector leader, dealmaker, and digital infrastructure champion
Expertise: Financing Africa’s TMT revolution, digital infrastructure, and strategic sector growth
Fun Fact: Kumbi’s passion for understanding financial journeys extends into his vast collection of biographies and investment books.
 
🌟 Key Topics Covered
Standard Bank’s TMT Legacy: How Africa’s oldest bank transitioned from supporting gold and diamonds to powering the digital age, and why sector specialization has driven their success in telecoms, media, and technology finance.
From Towers to Satellites: A look at the evolution from basic teleco infrastructure and cross-continental expansion, to fiber, data centers, submarine cables, and on to the next wave: low-earth orbit satellites.
Africa’s Leapfrogging Advantage: How African innovation has bypassed legacy tech to lead in digital services, fintech, and scalable solutions.
Bespoke Banking Partnerships: Why Standard Bank's client-led model and sector expertise help TMT clients scale and compete locally and globally.
Staying Cutting-edge in a Rapid Market: Insights on managing black swan events (like Starlink & DeepSeek), and building resilience in a market shaped by global shocks and relentless innovation cycles.
Equity, Capital, & Competition: Why Africa needs increased access to equity capital at all stages, and how collaboration and global perspective are keys for startup survivability.
 
🚀 Key Lessons for FinTech Leaders
✅ Sector Focus Unlocks Opportunity: Deep specialisation enables financial partners to truly catalyze tech innovation.
✅ Partnership First: Seek banks and investors who know your sector and can create fit-for-purpose solutions to fuel cross-border growth.
✅ Anticipate Disruption: Whether it’s Starlink, data center shifts, or regulatory shocks, industry leaders must expect—and embrace—constant evolution.
✅ Innovation is Africa’s Edge: Africa’s digital entrepreneurs thrive by solving real problems and exporting their solutions globally.
✅ Capitalize, or Miss Out: Equity, at every stage, is the lifeblood of Africa’s next unicorns.
 
🎯 Actionable Takeaways
Partner with experts who live and breathe your sector—don’t settle for generic finance.
Embrace a global mindset: Your competition and your partners might be based anywhere.
Make adaptability your core strategy—what works today will change tomorrow.
Stay plugged in to future trends: Satellite data, AI, and fintech cross international borders overnight.
If you’re an African tech founders or TMT leader, reach out to Standard Bank or Scrums.com to connect to a network that spans continents.
📖 Kumbi’s FinTech Insight
“Digital infrastructure is the only form of infrastructure in Africa that doesn’t get 10 years without disruption. You cannot stand still—you need to constantly reimagine, rebuild, and leapfrog, because in this space, change is the only constant.”
 
🔗 Stay ahead in digital infrastructure and tech finance.
Visit www.scrums.comfor expert insights on fintech, digital innovation, and Africa’s technology landscape.
 
📌 Chapters
00:00 – Introduction & Standard Bank’s TMT DNA
01:59 – What Does TMT Really Mean? Evolving with Africa’s Markets
05:55 – Media’s Role & Digital Leapfrogging
08:27 – How Standard Bank Partners with the TMT Ecosystem
13:20 – Exporting African Innovation: Lessons from the Field
14:00 – Big Challenges: Rapid Tech Change, Global Competition, and Capital Needs
17:31 – Disruption in Action: Data Centers, Satellites, and Black Swan Events
19:26 – The Equity Gap: Why Africa’s Startups Need More Capital
21:10 – AI, Adaptation, and Organizational Resilience
22:41 – Kumbi’s Book Pick: Richard Wiser Happier
23:28 – Closing Insights & The Future of African FinTech
 
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Ep.4: Coinchange.io - Innovating Finance: The Evolution of Stablecoin Technology with Max Galash

🎧 Welcome to Scrums.com's FinTech Arena!
A podcast dedicated to FinTech leaders who want to stay ahead in the fast-evolving industry. In each 30-minute episode, we uncover actionable insights and strategies from top innovators in the world of finance and technology.
 
🎙 Episode Guest
Maxim Galash - Founder & CEO, Coinchange
Roles: Entrepreneur, fintech innovator, and stablecoin technology expert.
Expertise: Decentralized finance (DeFi), yield generation, and financial accessibility.
Fun Fact: Maxim first spotted the potential of stablecoins back in 2018, before they became mainstream.
 
🌟 Key Topics Covered
Coinchange’s Mission: Democratizing sophisticated investment products for retail clients.
API-Based Model: How Coinchange enables exchanges and payment platforms to offer structured yield products.
Stablecoin Staking: Users can stake USDC and USDT with full liquidity while earning daily interest.
How Coinchange Stands Out: Unlike competitors focused on payments, Coinchange specializes in yield generation.
DeFi & CeFi Strategies: Maxim explains how deploying assets across diverse strategies provides a competitive edge.
B2B Infrastructure: Supporting smaller exchanges and payment platforms in competing with industry giants.
Regulatory Hurdles: How Coinchange navigates evolving financial regulations.
Market Volatility: Strategies for managing risk in a fluctuating crypto environment.
Big Tech’s Role: Maxim shares insights on Apple’s rumored move into stablecoins and its impact on traditional finance.
 
🚀 Key Lessons for FinTech Leaders
✅ Accessibility Matters: Fintech solutions should bridge gaps between institutional finance and everyday users.
✅ Innovate Beyond Payments: There’s more to stablecoins than just transactions—yield generation is the next frontier.
✅ Adapt to Regulation: The ability to pivot in response to new financial policies is crucial for long-term success.
✅ Risk Management is Key: Success in DeFi and CeFi requires disciplined risk mitigation strategies.
✅ Stay Ahead of Big Tech: Anticipate how major players like Apple might shape the industry’s future.
 
🎯 Actionable Takeaways
Explore how Coinchange’s B2B solutions can enhance financial platforms.
Stay informed on emerging stablecoin trends to remain competitive in the fintech space.
Reach out to Scrums.com to learn more about fintech innovation strategies.
 
📖 Maxim’s FinTech Insight
Quote: "The future of stablecoins isn’t just about transactions—it’s about financial empowerment at every level."
 
🔗 Want to stay ahead in stablecoin technology?
Visit www.scrums.com for expert insights on fintech, blockchain, and decentralized finance.
 
📌 Chapters
00:00 Introduction & Maxim Galash’s Background
06:10 The Vision Behind Coinchange & Market Opportunities
12:45 What Sets Coinchange Apart in the Stablecoin Space
18:20 Challenges in Crypto: Regulation, Volatility, and Risk Management
24:55 Apple’s Potential Entry into Stablecoins & FinTech Predictions
29:40 Key Takeaways & Closing Thoughts

Ep 3: Lions Rugby Union - High-Performance Teams: What Businesses Can Learn from Rugby with Marius Louw

🎧 Welcome to Scrums.com's FinTech Arena!
A podcast dedicated to FinTech leaders who want to stay ahead in the fast-evolving industry. In each 30-minute episode, we uncover actionable insights and strategies from top innovators in the business world.
 
🎙 Episode Guest
Marius Louw - Captain, Lions Rugby Team 
Roles: Professional rugby player, captain of the Lions, leader on and off the field.
Expertise: Team dynamics, leadership, resilience, and high-performance cultures.
Fun Fact: Marius incorporates yoga and breathwork into his training to stay mentally sharp.
Marius shares the three "T’s" that drive the Lions' success:
Toughness: Mental and physical resilience in overcoming challenges.
Tempo: Playing at a fast pace to maintain an edge—mirroring business agility.
Togetherness: Genuine team cohesion and trust lead to collective success.
The importance of mental resilience in sports and business.
Strategies for blocking out external noise and staying goal-oriented.
Practical techniques: Yoga, breathwork, and personal routines for clarity.
Honest communication is the key to resolving conflicts.
Accountability over blame: How the Lions use a fun "spin the wheel" method to reinforce discipline.
Lessons for businesses: Creating a culture where feedback and responsibility drive success.
The value of coachable leadership—leaders must remain open to learning.
Encouraging a culture of continuous improvement and feedback.
How businesses can adopt a team mindset for long-term success.
 
🚀 Key Lessons for Business Leaders
 
✅ Embrace Toughness: Resilience is key in sports and business.
✅ Maintain Tempo: Adapt and move quickly in changing environments.
✅ Foster Togetherness: Strong relationships enhance performance and morale.
✅ Prioritize Mental Resilience: Build routines to stay focused and driven.
✅ Lead with Accountability: Create a team culture where discipline fuels success.
 
🎯 Actionable Takeaways
Apply the principles of high-performance teams to your business.
Invest in leadership development to build strong, adaptable teams.
Reach out to Scrums.com to explore strategies for creating a winning business culture.
 
📖 Marius’s Mindset Hack
Tip: Small, daily habits—like mindfulness and structured routines—make the difference in high-pressure environments.
 
📌 Chapters
00:00 Introduction & Marius Louw’s Background
05:32 What Makes a High-Performance Team?
11:15 Staying Focused & Overcoming Distractions
16:40 Handling Conflict & Building Team Discipline
22:50 Leadership Lessons for Businesses
27:40 Key Takeaways & Closing Thoughts
 
🌟 Key Topics Covered
1. The DNA of a Successful Team
2. Staying Focused Amidst Distractions
3. Navigating Conflict and Building Discipline
4. Leadership Lessons for Business Executives

Ep 2: Finch Technologies - Open Banking and Owning Your Identity with Chris Ball

🎙️ Welcome to the Scrums.com FinTech Arena Podcast.
Episode 2: Finch Technologies - Open Banking and Owning Your Identity with Chris Ball.
In this conversation, Chase and Chris Ball discuss the evolving landscape of personal data ownership and monetization. They emphasize the importance of individuals recognizing their rights over their data and the need for compensation when it is used by third parties. The dialogue highlights a shift in consumer awareness regarding the value of their data, especially in the context of past practices by major tech companies.
Takeaways- The ownership of personal data is becoming increasingly important.- Consumers should be compensated for their data usage.- Data transactions should be authorized by the data owner.- Should the value of data can be monetary or in enhanced benefits?- There is a growing awareness among consumers about their data's value.- Tech companies have historically mined consumer data without compensation to you.- Understanding data value is essential for you as a consumer today.- The conversation reflects a broader societal change in data rights.
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Ep 1: RCL Foods, Pets24 & Corporate Innovation

Welcome to the Scrums.com FinTech Arena Podcast.
 
Episode 1: RCL, Pets24 and Corporate Innovation with David Pugh.
In this episode, David Pugh (RCL Foods, Studio Hex, Pets24) and Jamie Chennels (scrums.com, Pets24) share strategies for driving innovation, tackling challenges, and leveraging AI. Key highlights include fostering a startup mindset within corporates, building Africa’s leading pet platform, addressing breeder fraud with "PawPay," and using AI to enhance—not replace—human expertise. Tune in to learn about rapid iteration, community-driven growth, and creating trusted platforms that transform industries!
 
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