มิ.ย. 9, 2025
By David Aldridge, CEO, Alladin Tech
When I reflect on our world today, one truth stands out: digital payments aren’t just about convenience, they’re about empowering people. More than 1.4 billion adults in low- and middle-income countries remain excluded from formal financial systems, relying on cash or barter to get by. For these communities, access to digital financial tools can transform lives, but the shift requires more than technology. It needs leadership.
Why Digital Payments Matter Now More Than Ever
Think of the smartphone revolution. Over 3 billion people now use mobile financial services, accounting for nearly 60% of all mobile subscribers globally. That usage isn’t just going up—it’s growing the economy. Mobile financial services added 5.8% to global GDP in 2024, and this is projected to reach 8.4% by 2030.
In emerging markets, digital platforms like Kenya’s M-Pesa have actually lifted households out of poverty, proving the power of inclusive payments. Those success stories fuel our mission here at Alladin Tech.
A CEO’s Role: Leading with Purpose
As CEO, I believe our strategy must put financial inclusion at the heart of innovation, not as a side note, but as a key business objective. Research from McKinsey and the Gates Foundation underscores how digital finance can unlock economic development, potentially bringing 1.6 billion unbanked individuals into the formal economy and creating tens of millions of jobs.
To make that a reality, CEOs must:
- Champion inclusive product vision: Inclusion isn’t a checkbox—it’s embedded from concept through launch.
- Commit to cross-sector partnerships: We collaborate with governments, NGOs, regulators and industry peers to build open, interoperable systems like Mojaloop.
- Balance growth with responsibility: Expand with integrity—prioritising customer protection and trust.
Designing Products for the Real World
Inclusion isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our product design addresses:
- Accessibility: Offering options like USSD, apps, and agent networks to reach those without smartphones.
- Simplified onboarding: Tiered KYC makes registration accessible while retaining compliance—a model proven effective in mobile money platforms.
- Local relevance: We adapt UI and support to local languages and literacy levels—an approach that global studies confirm is essential.
Innovation: The Tool, Not the Destination
Advanced tech is our engine, not the goal:
- AI and data-driven underwriting allow credit scoring based on real behaviour, not just traditional histories, opening doors to underserved users.
- Blockchain-backed identity systems let users prove themselves without exclusion, strengthening trust and participation.
- Agent networks and mobile-first strategies mirror PalmPay’s success—35 million users in Nigeria—showing how thoughtful distribution transforms access.
Measuring Success: More Than Just Metrics
It’s not enough to launch; we must track. At Alladin Tech, we monitor:
|
Impact Area |
Metric Example |
|
Adoption & penetration |
Active users in underserved demographics |
|
Cost reduction |
Transaction fees for low-income users |
|
Socioeconomic outcome |
Increased savings, credit access, or SME activity |
GSMA’s 2025 report shows mobile money isn’t just growing—it’s reshaping economies. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 1.1 billion accounts drove $1.7 trillion through digital wallets, boosting GDP in countries by £720bn.
Leadership Qualities That Matter
Returning to the CEO’s role, here’s what makes a difference:
- Purpose and clarity – I communicate how inclusion propels profit and impact.
- Visible commitment – Leading cross-functional teams for product, policy, and community efforts.
- Empathy and listening – Constantly engaging with edge users to shape products that truly help.
- Advocacy – Using my voice with regulators to support frameworks that enable low-cost, fast payments.
- Relentless learning – Following peers like Melbourne’s Mary Ellen Iskenderian, who strive to empower 1 billion women through financial access.
Real-World Action at Alladin Tech
Here’s what we’re building:
- Rural agent networks—bridging digital deserts.
- Tiered KYC and blockchain identity—simplifying user access.
- Financial literacy partnerships—empowering users to make the most of services.
- Rigorous impact tracking—capturing meaningful change across demographics.
We aim not just to digitise payments, but to democratise opportunity.
Looking Ahead
Digital payments are more than transactions—they’re lifelines. As CEO, I’ve made a pact: Alladin Tech will lead the way on making payments accessible to all, recognising that true impact lies beyond balance sheets, in real lives transformed. Join us in this journey toward a more inclusive financial future.
