Talking Success: Connecting the Global FinTech Community

Send us a textIn this episode of Talking Success, Darren Franks sat down with Kevin Odudoh, Ati Ngubevana and Peter Malebye from Vodacom Business. They tell us how they are approaching AI with a clear business lens, drawing on capabilities proven inside the Group and now offered to enterprise clients. The focus is practical: financial inclusion, fraud reduction, compliance and measurable ROI.AI is on every executive agenda. The tough bit is not the technology itself. It is proving that the investment will lift revenue, protect margins and strengthen trust. Below is a distillation of the first half of that conversation, shaped for founders, product leaders and risk executives across African financial services. If you want AI to do more than generate demos, this is for you.Kevin Odudoh's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-odudoh/Ati Ngubevana's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/atenkosi-ngubevana-mba-pgdip-bcom-b38b9615/Peter Malebye's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-malebye-8275a610/Vodacom Business' Website https://www.vodacombusiness.co.za/Darren Franks' LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/

Send us a textIn this episode(Part 2), Darren Franks sat down with Kevin Odudoh from Vodacom Business and Tapfuma Mvere from XLink to dig into a reality every African FinTech leader knows well: you have to build for a moving target without breaking customer experience.Kevin Odudoh's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-odudoh/Tapfuma Mvere's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tapfumamvereVodacom Business's Website: https://www.vodacombusiness.co.za/Xlink's Website: https://www.xlink.co.za/Zadara's Website: https://www.zadara.com/Darren Franks' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/

Send us a textIn this episode of Talking Success, Darren Franks sat down with Pauline Molloyi – Chief Product and Information Officer at OM Bank, for Part 2, to dig into cash realities, branch roles in a digital bank, what trust really means for customers, how onboarding can be both secure and simple, and how to keep innovating inside South Africa's rigorous regulatory environment. Pauline Molloyi's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauline-molloyi-7b76891/OM Bank's Website: https://www.oldmutual.co.za/bankDarren Franks' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/

Send us a textIn this episode (Part 1), Darren chats with Kevin Odudoh from Vodacom Business and Tapfuma Mvere from XLink to discuss how their collaboration is shaping Africa's payments ecosystem. Beyond sponsorships and partnerships, Vodacom's involvement reflects a deeper commitment to help fintechs, financial institutions, and businesses build scalable, compliant, and trusted systems that move Africa closer to its digital future.Kevin Odudoh's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-odudoh/Tapfuma Mvere's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tapfumamvereVodacom Business's Website: https://www.vodacombusiness.co.za/Xlink's Website: https://www.xlink.co.za/Zadara's Website: https://www.zadara.com/Darren Franks' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/

Send us a textIn this episode, of Talking Success, Darren Franks sat down with Pauline Molloyi - Chief Product and Information Officer at OM Bank, to unpack what it looks like behind the scenes of their journey (Part 1) Pauline Molloyi's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauline-molloyi-7b76891/OM Bank's Website: https://www.oldmutual.co.za/bankDarren Franks' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/

Send us a textIn this episode of Talking Success, The Best Fintech Podcast, Darren Franks sat down with Jim Marous- global banking influencer, co-publisher of The Financial Brand, host of Banking Transformed, and one of the most respected voices in digital banking.For decades, traditional banking has relied on physical presence - branches, tellers, and personal relationships. Yet as digital adoption accelerates and neobanks disrupt legacy systems, the conversation has shifted. What role will branches play in a future where onboarding takes less than ten minutes on a smartphone? And can banks deliver genuine human connection without a physical footprint?Jim Marous's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmarous/The Financial Brand's Website: https://thefinancialbrand.com/news/author/jimmarousDarren Franks' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/

Send us a textIn this episode, "Building Trust in the Township Economy with Koola Capital", of Talking Success, The Best Fintech Podcast, Darren Franks sat down with Katie Dodge, Co-Founder of  Koola Capital, to talk about breaking barriers in SME financing.The informal economy, often called the township economy, is the backbone of South Africa's entrepreneurial spirit. Despite its size and vibrancy, this market has long been underserved by traditional financial institutions. While banks readily offer vehicle finance and personal loans, access to productive business capital remains scarce.Theo Kitshoff's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-dodge-b4b369122/Koola Capital's Website: https://koolacapital.co.za/Darren Franks' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/

Send us a textIn this episode, Darren Franks sat down with Theo Kitshoff, CEO of Sticcit, to unpack how to fix school payments and teaching money habits that actually matter..Highlights: Why school payments matter more than you thinkWhy this matters now in South AfricaThe KPI shift schools and vendors need to makeTheo Kitshoff's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theo-kitshoff-b0b63b35/Sticcit's Website: https://sticitt.co.za/Darren Franks' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/

Send us a textIn this episode, Darren Franks sat down with Jonathan Katende, CEO of Lipa World, to unpack how stablecoins are reshaping remittances, commerce, and financial access across Africa and beyond.Highlights: The Big Problem: Remittances and Off-RampingNavigating Regulation: The Elephant in the RoomAfrica's Leapfrog Moment: Lessons from Mobile AdoptionHighlights: Jonathan Katende's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathankatende/Lipaworld's Website: https://www.lipaworld.com/Darren Franks' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/

Send us a textIn this episode, Darren chats with Trevor Gosling, Co-Founder and CEO of Lula. It's Lula's tenth anniversary and when founded, South Africa's SME's had limited financing options, banks dominated the landscape, often leaving these businesses stuck in the lengthy approval process. Lula has become a cornerstone for SME finance, but where to from here? Highlights: The Changing SME LandscapeData, Decisioning and the Future of Credit ModelsPeople, Culture and the Human ElementTrevor Gosling's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-gosling-82375446/Lula's Website: https://www.lula.co.za/Darren Franks' Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/

Send us a textIn this episode, we chat with Jonatan Allback, Co-Founder and CEO, of Njia Pay, a  Cape Town-based startup. We unpack Njia Pay's role in the ecosystem, and explore where the future of payments is headed - from stablecoins and PayShap to platform-level orchestration.This is more than a story about a startup. It's a lens into how global fintech experience can reshape payments in emerging markets, and why Africa is the next frontier.Highlights:- Experimentation and Optimisation: Built for Growth- A Pan-African Platform with Global Thinking- Trust at Checkout: Letting Merchants Take ControlJonatan Allback's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonatan-allback/NjiaPay's Website: https://www.njiapay.com/Darren Franks' Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/

Send us a textIn this episode, we chat with Rinse Jacobs, Co-Founder and CEO, of Zazu, a new SME-focused FinTech platform launching in South Africa. We explore why Zazu chose South Africa as its starting point, what sets it apart from traditional banks and other neobanks and how it plans to simplify business banking for SMEs.Highlights:Customer experience - No more queueing for hoursBreaking down bundling and unbundlingBuilding trust in a risk-averse marketRinse Jacobs' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rinsejacobs/Zazu's Website: https://www.get-zazu.com/Darren Franks' Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/

Send us a textIn this episode with Angela Shurina, Executive High-Performance Coach,  we unpack the human side of the FinTech journey, from cultural foundations and behaviour design to leadership transitions and accountability.Highlights:- Culture Evolves With the Business- Transitioning From Founder to CEO: A Whole New Role- Accountability Is a Human MotivatorAngela Shurina's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-shurina-executive-coach/Your Best Coaching's Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-best-coaching-sa/Darren Franks' Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/

Send us a textIn part two of our conversation with Nevellan Moodley, Head Financial Services Advisory, we go deeper into the evolving fintech landscape, the value of good advisory partners, and why customer experience is the new battleground for financial services. Highlights:- Why Early-Stage FinTechs Avoid Advisory Help- Africa's FinTechs: The Trends Worth Watching- The Integration Advantage: Simplicity WinsNevellan Moodley's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevellan-moodley-ca-sa-32223116/BDO's Website: https://www.bdo.co.za/Darren Franks' Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/This episode is brought to you by Pear NetworkPear's LinkedIn: https://www.pear-network.com/

Send us a text In this episode Darren Franks chats with Erin Louw, Chief People Officer at TymeBank, to discuss what it takes to build an agile, people-centric culture in a fast-growing FinTech. From harnessing people analytics with everyday tools to cultivating talent.Highlights:People-Centric Leadership in a Scaling FinTechHarnessing People Analytics to Drive Organisational HealthHiring and Cultivating Talent vs. ‘Finding' TalentThis episode is sponsored by Pear Network Erin Louws's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-louw-3b838bb/TymeBank's Website: https://www.tymebank.co.za/Darren Franks' Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/This episode is brought to you by Pear NetworkPear's LinkedIn: https://www.pear-network.com/

Send us a textThe evolution of payment systems is reshaping how businesses interact with consumers, and Pick n Pay, a stalwart in South African retail, is at the forefront of this revolution. In this episode of Talking Success, Devon Moodley, Head of Financial Services and Value-Added Services at Pick n Pay, provides fascinating insights into the company's strategies, challenges, and vision for the future of payments.

Send us a textMobile money has become a cornerstone of the financial technology (FinTech) sector. In this episode Darren Franks chats with Nikolai Barnwell, Founder and CEO of pawaPay about the world of mobile payments.

Send us a textIn this episode, Darren chats with Michael Yaacov Martin, Co-founder & CEO at Jifiti. Embedded finance and lending represent a paradigm shift in how consumers and businesses access financial services. From BNPL to long-term lending, these innovations are shaping the future of finance, making it more accessible and aligned with modern consumer behaviours.Highlights:

Send us a textIn this episode, Darren chats with Michael Adamson, CEO - South Africa at eShandi. The world of lending is undergoing a seismic shift, with innovators like Ishandi redefining what it means to deliver financial services in Africa. Mike shares the journey of this rebranded challenger bank and its mission to address unmet needs in the lending ecosystem across Africa.Highlights:

Send us a textIn this episode, Darren chats with Idan Jaan, Co-Founder & COO at Flexclub. Idan tells us about the many challenges the automotive industry is facing and how FlexClub is transforming vehicle access in South Africa.Highlights:

Send us a textIn this episode Darren chats with the "Laundry Man" Kenneth Rijock, a reformed money launder.Kenneth's unique background—from laundering over $200 million for cartels to now working closely with law enforcement—offers a fascinating, behind-the-scenes perspective on the world of financial crime.Highlights:From Lawyer to Money Launderer: Kenneth's JourneyThe Three Stages of Money LaunderingThe Evolution of Money Laundering TechniquesKenneth Rijock's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-rijock-2b8419a/Darren Franks' Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Titc's Website https://titc.io/This episode is sponsored by RelyComply.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/relycomply/Website: https://relycomply.com/

Send us a textIn this episode, Darren chats with Mark McChlery, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at PayJustNow. Mark provides us with a unique insight into the company's early challenges, evolution, and its key role in today's economy.Highlights:

Send us a textIn this episode, Darren chats with Deon Nobrega and Bryan Habana from Paymenow. In an era where financial inclusion has become a buzzword, few companies truly walk the talk. PayMeNow, a South African startup, is setting a benchmark by offering a platform that brings together technology, empathy, and social impact, reshaping how employees access their earnings.These college roommates tell us their story. Highlights:

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Darren chats with Maxim Galash, CEO at Coinchange. Max's venture has seen significant transformations since its inception, evolving from a retail-focused DeFi platform to providing sophisticated enterprise solutions. He shares his journey, lessons and insights.Highlights:

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Darren chats with Hylton Kallner, CEO of Discovery Bank. Hylton provides an insightful overview of the bank's journey and offerings, which have transformed the financial landscape in South Africa and garnered attention from international markets.Highlights:

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Darren chats with Gur Geva, Founder and CEO of iiDENTIFii. Gur shares how the future of digital identity and payments is one of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. By harnessing advanced biometric technologies and working closely with regulators and industry partners, companies can drive significant advancements in financial inclusion and security. Highlights:

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Darren chats with Peter Curk, CEO at Iconomi.We explore the psychological and strategic aspects of taking profits in cryptocurrency trading, emphasizing the importance of discipline, automation, and thorough research. We also delve into B2B crypto solutions, offering insights for fintech companies looking to integrate crypto services.Highlights:

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Darren chats with Jonny Bell, Senior Director, Head of EMEA & UKI Market Planning at LexisNexis Risk Solutions.We uncover a striking revelation from Bell's discussion about LexisNexis's involvement in combating wildlife trafficking. Join us on this insightful journey as we uncover the dynamics of fraud in today's complex world.Highlights:

In this episode, Darren chats with Jason Lane-Sellers, Director, Fraud & Identity EMEA at LexisNexis Risk Solutions.We delve into the realm of fraud, risk, and money laundering with industry an industry expert. In this special edition, we had the privilege of sitting down to unravel the mysteries of fraud detection and prevention. Join us on this insightful journey as we uncover the dynamics of fraud in today's complex world.Highlights:

In this episode, Darren chats with Vincent Gaudel, Financial Crime Compliance Expert at LexisNexis Risk Solutions.From money laundering to fraud, the complexities of regulatory controls and compliance measures require constant vigilance and adaptation. In a recent podcast, financial crime expert Vincent sheds light on the intricate landscape of regulatory frameworks and the evolving challenges faced by industries worldwide.Highlights:

In this episode, Darren chats with Christo de Wit, Country Manager at Luno.In a world of digital currencies and evolving financial landscapes, cryptocurrencies have emerged as a revolutionary force. Darren and Christo dive into the heart of this transformation. Join us as we explore the shifting dynamics, changing demographics, and emerging trends within the crypto industry from a uniquely South African lens.Highlights:

In this episode, Darren chats with Trevor Gosling, Co-Founder & CEO at Lula. This sentiment of "Business banking is broken in South Africa" echoes the frustrations of many entrepreneurs who have faced challenges with traditional banking services in the country. The conversation delves deeper into this issue, focusing on how to revolutionize business banking for SMEs.Highlights:

In this episode, Darren chats with Lex Sokolin, Managing Partner at Generative Ventures. We learn how DeFi challenges traditional financial systems and how the transformative potential of generative AI is reshaping economic output and labour dynamics.Highlights:

In this episode, Darren chats with Rael Demby, CEO of the South African Gold Coin Exchange. We learn how the convergence of cryptocurrency and traditional gold transactions represents a pivotal moment in financial history.Highlights:

In this episode, Darren chats with Nelson Chu, Founder and CEO of Percent.Nelson underscores the transformative power of standardization and technology in reshaping the private credit industry.  Highlights:❗❗  Risk in Emerging Markets

In this episode, Darren chats with Lorien Gamaroff, Co-Founder and CEO of Centbee. Beyond speculative trading and get-rich-quick schemes, Laurian emphasized the transformative power of blockchain technology in reshaping industries and fostering innovation.Highlights:⚙  Understanding Bitcoin's Utility

In this episode, Darren chats with Andrew Katzwinkel, Founder and CEO of Layup Technologies.A testament to FinTech entrepreneurship, this episode takes us on a journey through perseverance, strategic pivots, and a commitment to addressing real-world challenges. Highlights

In this episode, Darren chats with Panagiotis Kriaris, Commercial Director, Head of Business Development at Unzer.Panagiotis offers a nuanced exploration of the multifaceted FinTech landscape. From the evolution of payment systems to the societal impact of FinTech, the discussion underscores the transformative potential of innovative financial technologies in reshaping global economies.Highlights:

 In this podcast episode, Darren chats with David Birch, an Industry legend, Author and Keynote Speaker. Their conversation takes you on a journey into the intriguing world of digital currencies.Highlights

In this Talking Success episode, we get to be a part of a captivating conversation between Darren Franks and Ron Shevlin, two luminaries in the realms of finance and technology. Their discussion delves deep into the dynamic landscape of financial technology (FinTech), providing invaluable insights into its evolution, challenges, and future trajectory.Highlights:

In this episode, Darren chats with Rahul Jain, Co-founder and CEO of Peach Payments.Rahul provides valuable insights into navigating the African FinTech landscape and how FinTech entrepreneurs can position themselves for success in an evolving and dynamic market environmentHighlights:

In this episode, Darren chats with Chris Skinner, The Finanser, podcast host and author. They explore FinTech's present challenges and future possibilities which beckons industry stakeholders to reflect, adapt and collectively shape the contours of banking in the years to come. Highlights:

Can he survive a year only using stable coins? In this episode, Darren chats with Aeryn Quarmby, Co-Founder and COO of Xion Global.  They cover crypto market trends, emphasizing the prominence of stablecoins and efficient layer two networks. Highlights:

Join Faith and her super cool guest, Darren, as they explore the magical world of FinTech on Talking Success. Darren, who's like a FinTech wizard, spills the beans on why FinTech is soooo cool!Discover how FinTech helps people save money, spend wisely, and keep their moolah super-duper safe. Darren even shares a cool secret - it's like having a special lock that only you can open!

In this episode, Chipo Mushwana, Executive Emerging Innovation & Payments at Nedbank, reveals Nedbank's journey in innovation and payments as a dynamic exploration of merging technological advancements with real-world challenges, signaling a promising future for the bank in shaping the financial landscape of South AfricaHighlights:

In this episode, Darren chats with Mohammed Kaka, COO at Al Baraka Bank.We learn how Islamic banking continues to evolve globally, Mohammed's journey at Al Baraka reflects the industry's dynamic nature. From its foundational principles to embracing digitalization, Islamic banking navigates the intersection of tradition and innovation, offering ethical financial solutions to a diverse clientele.Highlights:

In this episode, Bradley Elliott, CEO of RelyComply, sheds light on their groundbreaking efforts in the anti-money laundering (AML) compliance space.The discussion centres on the challenges faced by financial services businesses in streamlining AML processes amid evolving regulations, with a particular focus on greylisting.Highlights:

In this episode, Darren Franks chats with Brett King, Best-selling author, futurist, founder and podcast host.Brett shares his predictions for the future, particularly in the banking and FinTech space, reflecting on past forecasts and their accuracy.Highlights:

In this episode, Darren Franks chats with Anton Gaylard, Co-Founder and Chief Exponential Officer at Crossfin Holdings. Anton unveils the intricate landscape of the company's investment philosophy, providing a compelling narrative that traverses borders and embraces innovation. From their stronghold in South Africa to ventures in Mauritius, Crossfin's strategic approach unfolds in a conversation that delves into early-stage investments, collaborations with Apis Partners, and the intriguing success story of Troy Gold.HighlightsSpotlight on Success: Recent Investments and GrowthEarly-Stage Passion: Crossfin Ventures Backing StartupsFinancial Inclusion and Impact Investing: The Akello PerspectiveNavigating Company Overlaps: Managing Potential ConflictsAnton Gaylard's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anton-gaylard-a1529a5/Crossfin's Website: http://www.crossfin.co.za/Darren Franks' Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenfranks/Personalize an experienceThe luxury hospitality space depends on the personalized touch to retain guests.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

In this episode, Darren Franks chats with Michael Oluwole, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at TAP.Michael highlights the prevalent cash-based nature of everyday transactions in Africa, focusing on the challenges of achieving financial inclusion in a predominantly cash-dependent society. While banks and fintechs have addressed larger transactions, the majority, constituting 70%, remain cash-based, hindering efforts to establish credit profiles for citizens.Highlights

In this episode, Darren Franks chats with Brett Van Aswegen, CEO of Wonga South Africa.Brett recounts the turbulent journey of the once-pioneering FinTech giant. From its innovative roots in the UK to navigating through regulatory storms, this episode unveils the challenges faced, lessons learned, and the transformation of Wonga's business model.Highlights