Transformation

Three tech leaders shed light on how technology is slowly changing the face of healthcare in Africa.

The quiet revolution in banking is already underway, according to insights shared by Mpesa Africa CTO Vinod Sharma on his blog titled “The Future of Digital Banking: Powerful Trends to Watch.” From instant loan approvals to real-time money transfers, digital systems are reshaping how financial services operate and how customers experience them.

Dr Leah Miano, head of information communication and technology at the Universities Fund, Geoffrey Gitagia, CIO at Avenue Healthcare and Jaine Mwai, chief technology and operations officer at Standard Chartered share their perspectives on how technology leaders are shaping organisations to become future ready CIOs.

Long before he was leading IT at Oasis Healthcare, John Paul Oduor was harvesting flowers as a casual labourer, armed with a diploma in IT and a quiet determination to do more. His story is about saying yes, again and again, and building from wherever you stand.

Dr Mwirigi Kiula’s life has been marked by hardship, resilience, and faith. Growing up, he struggled to stay in school due to financial constraints. Today, he serves as the deputy vice chancellor of finance and administration at St Paul’s University, leading with the conviction that every challenge is part of God’s greater plan.

As more organisations commit to locally built technology, the focus is turning to execution, sustainability and scale. IT leaders Evans Ngala of Express Shipping & Logistics East Africa, Paul Mandele of Smart Foundry, Russell Akuom of Nation Media Group and Tadeo Kyeyune of Tugende reflect on the realities of building in East Africa, from infrastructure gaps and talent development to open-source tools, partnerships and the long-term vision for homegrown tech.

Stanbic Bank Kenya CIO Alex Siboe Wekunda has quietly shaped East Africa’s digital landscape. In this candid conversation, he shares his career wins and why, if AI ever tried to replace him, it had better be ready for a long hike.

As acting head of business technology at Tropical Bank, Ochen Solomon Eliud has driven digital transformation and delivered impact despite limited resources and a tough regulatory climate.

Jean-Marie Gashonga has spent his career building technology systems and empowering teams to deliver results. As IT manager at Old Mutual Insurance Rwanda, he has modernised core systems for insurance operations, championed automation and fostered collaboration within the wider IT leadership community. In this conversation, he shares how innovation, people and shared knowledge are shaping the future of insurance technology.

ICT Manager at Bimas Kenya Kimathi Marangu has spent nearly a decade designing solutions that make technology accessible and impactful for low-income communities.

Prior to his appointment, James Mugo served as IT manager at Tropikal Brands Afrika, where he led ERP upgrades, sales force automation, production process automation, and cybersecurity enhancements.