Ukheshe started with a humble proposition: bring electronic payments to the unbanked. Thus began its journey as a payment service that leveraged QR codes to make easy payments to anyone, from businesses to car guards. It was a small yet significant step to providing financial services to Sub-Saharan Africa’s estimated 350 million unbanked adults, according to the World Bank.

That step turned into a leap. Many have been predicting a payment revolution in Africa, similar to our massive adoption of mobile and smartphones. As Ukheshe grew, it saw the broader issue: it’s not just that many people are unbanked; many financial institutions don’t have the digital means to engage with more modern audiences.When it comes to using QR codes, USSD payments, mobile apps, web interfaces and such, most banks find it too complicated. They have to coordinate the services of multiple providers and vendors, all while navigating the complex worlds of financial and data regulations. Ukheshe realised it had the answer, prompting it to think bigger.