Blockchain and the Future of African Finance

Elizabeth Rossiello, CEO of Aza Finance, discusses the company's role as a major non-bank broker in Africa, providing foreign exchange and treasury solutions. She highlights the impact of COVID-19 on traditional banking and the rise of FinTech in Africa, noting the continent's increase in unicorns. Aza Finance's strategy involves expanding through M&A, focusing on Pan-African services. Rossiello emphasizes the importance of blockchain and digital currencies, advocating for their normalization in finance.

What is the primary service provided by Aza Finance across Africa?

• Microfinance loans

• Retail banking solutions

• Foreign exchange and treasury solutions

• Insurance services

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect traditional banking in Africa?

• Traditional banks quickly adapted to remote work.

• It led to an increase in traditional banking services.

• Traditional banks expanded their market share.

• There was a halt in services, leading clients to FinTechs.

What is Aza Finance's approach to expanding its services across Africa?

• Focusing solely on the Nigerian market

• Building and renting infrastructure, then acquiring companies

• Only renting infrastructure in new markets

• Avoiding acquisitions and focusing on organic growth

What technology underpins Aza Finance's payment and FX trading services?

• Paper-based systems

• Manual transaction processing

• Blockchain technology

• Traditional banking systems

What percentage of respondents in the poll believe that blockchain technology is a game changer?

• 53%

• 4%

• 17%

• 26%

How did Aza Finance initially use Bitcoin in its operations?

• To replace all fiat currency transactions

• Only for internal accounting purposes

• As a speculative investment

• For trading with counterparties and as a record

What is Elizabeth Rossiello's view on the future of digital finance?

• It will be replaced by traditional finance.

• It is the future and here to stay.

• It is a temporary trend.

• It is only relevant in developed markets.