The Future of Fintech and Regulation in East Africa | Hilda Moraa

This week, as we continue our Inside East Africa series, we bring to you a visionary whose career embodies resilience, purpose, and innovation. Hilda Moraa, Founder & CEO of Pezesha, has built a reputation as one of Africa’s leading fintech pioneers, driving transformation where it matters most: empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

At the heart of Pezesha’s mission lies a simple but powerful idea: financial access creates opportunity. In Swahili, “Pezesha” means financial enabler, and this is exactly what Hilda has set out to build: a digital infrastructure that enables affordable working capital for MSMEs across Africa. These enterprises form the backbone of the continent’s economy, accounting for nearly 90% of employment. Yet, many remain locked out of formal finance due to fragmented systems, a lack of digital records, and limited access to patient capital.

Hilda shares that the greatest challenge lies in information asymmetry. Too many small businesses are still operating in the shadows, without digitized processes, proper records, or financial footprints. To address this, Pezesha begins by helping MSMEs digitize their operations and build a financial history before extending credit. This approach not only reduces risk but also strengthens the foundation for long-term growth. However, scaling this model across different markets presents additional hurdles. Kenya’s advanced mobile money ecosystem has been a strong enabler, but in markets where mobile money penetration is low, Pezesha must design solutions from scratch, partnering with regulators, governments, and ecosystem players to unlock access.

Despite these challenges, the impact has been remarkable. Over 500,000 MSMEs have engaged with Pezesha’s platform, accessing credit, financial services, and crucially, financial education. Hilda emphasizes that lending is not just about money, it is about equipping entrepreneurs to make sound financial decisions, build wealth, and graduate up the financial ladder. The results speak for themselves: MSMEs supported by Pezesha report an average 20% increase in income year-on-year, with many creating one to three new jobs annually. The ripple effects are evident as these businesses stimulate growth within their communities, creating a powerful network effect that extends far beyond individual loans.

When asked about her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women, Hilda stresses the importance of confidence and action. Cultural barriers and self-doubt are often bigger obstacles than external challenges. Her message is clear: “Believe in yourself, take the opportunity in front of you, and even if you fail, you’ll emerge stronger for the next generation to learn from.”

For Hilda, the work at Pezesha is more than business; it is a matter of national pride and identity. By enabling entrepreneurs, she is helping shape Kenya’s economic future one small business at a time. Her vision of legacy is deeply personal: she wants to be remembered for empowering entrepreneurs. Multiply that story across thousands of SMEs, and you see the real engine of Africa’s growth.

Hilda’s journey is a powerful reminder that innovation, when rooted in purpose, can reshape economies and uplift communities. Pezesha’s story is not just about fintech; it is about unlocking dignity, opportunity, and sustainable growth for Africa’s most vital sector.

If this conversation with Hilda Moraa inspired you, don’t miss the rest of our Inside East Africa series, where we spotlight changemakers building the continent’s next chapter.

Produced by Global Indian Series for the Global Indian Network.

Script by Rajan Nazran
original idea: Rajan Nazran

Introduction music: (https://freesound.org/people/Timbre)

About Hilda Moraa

Hilda Moraa is an entrepreneur, author, and award-winning innovator with over 15 years of experience in fintech, regulation, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation. Her career journey spans collaborations with global corporations such as Coca-Cola, where she spearheaded mobility solutions tailored for African markets. She first made her mark as the founder of WezaTele, a Kenyan fintech startup that was acquired in 2015, before going on to establish Pezesha, where she currently serves as Founder & CEO. Pezesha provides digital financial infrastructure to empower SMEs and institutions across Africa with accessible working capital, and under her leadership, it became the first fintech to successfully exit the CMA regulatory sandbox.

Hilda is a graduate of Strathmore University with a degree in Business Information Technology. Her influence has been widely recognized, named among Quartz Africa’s Top 40 under 40 Women (2015), Top 30 Innovators in Africa (2018), and most recently profiled by Bloomberg as a New Economy Catalyst (2023). She has also been celebrated for her thought leadership, publishing her first book, A Kenyan Startup Journey – 10 Key Lessons I Learnt, at just 26. Her impact extends beyond her ventures, mentoring young tech entrepreneurs, advising innovation boards, and speaking at global platforms, including the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Summit. She was also selected for the Obama Leaders Program in 2019.

Recognized as one of Africa’s leading female fintech leaders, Hilda has successfully raised over $3 million in funding and continues to break barriers for women in technology and finance. In March 2024, her contributions were further honored when she won the Forbes Woman Africa Award for Tech & Innovation.

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