NEWS
Unifi mobile app unlocks underserved markets in East Africa first loan from Unifi but can thereafter simply transact through the Uniapp if they choose . Aside from fraud prevention , the initial check-in at the branch ensures first-time customers are educated about the product and are properly set up for self-service on the app going forward .
Unifi , a fast-growing personal loans company , is employing sophisticated technology to cater for underserved East African markets .
Its USSD-based app , which is called the
Unifi senior management team
Uniapp , enhances the company ’ s brickand-mortar presence , and allows returning customers to get Unifi loans with their phones , or to complete transactions such as checking their balances and paying their instalments with mobile money . Every new customer must visit a branch and have their fingerprints taken when they take out their
Michiel le Roux , Co-founder and Group Head at Unifi , said : “ I think keeping it simple has been key . We started with one core product – small , short-term personal loans – and have been focusing on delivering it well by combining tech , data analytics and outstanding customer service .
“ We ’ re excited to see that we ’ re on to something , that our customers are really responding to it . Our approach combines tech with a human touch to make our product simpler and faster in markets where it ’ s historically not been easy to access personal finance .”
Former Mastercard VP joins Klasha as new chief commercial officer
Klasha – a San Francisco and Lagos-based technology company transforming cross-border African commerce – has announced the appointment of Nile Younis as chief commercial officer .
Younis will be based in Dubai , UAE and joins Klasha after a successful 10-year career at Mastercard , where he created leading go-to-market strategies across the MEA region for real-time and multi-rail payments interoperability .
Most recently , Younis was the P & L business owner responsible for building and establishing Digital Payment Ecosystems at national levels for Mastercard in MEA . In the last five years , Younis and his team successfully digitised large cash flows across multiple sectors .
“ We are pleased to announce the appointment of Nile Younis as chief commercial officer at Klasha ,” said Jess Anuna , Founder and CEO of Klasha . “ Younis ’ global experience , most recently at Mastercard , will build the commercial infrastructure needed for more international businesses to tap into the African market via Klasha and provide a seamless cross-border experience for African consumers .”
Nile Younis , Chief Commercial Officer , Klasha
Younis has over 20 years of global experience in solution sales , product management and business development , which focuses on e / m- commerce alongside cyber and Card-Not-Present fraud solutions .
The appointment follows Klasha ’ s recent announcement of a US $ 4.5 million seed funding round backed by Amex Ventures – its first investment in an African-focused start-up – and Global Ventures , a leading MEA-focused venture capital firm .
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