Elizabeth Rossiello is a key figure in African Fintech, paving the way for a new era of financial transactions. In 2013, she founded BitPesa, a platform that revolutionized digital exchanges and payments in cross-border markets. With experience in investment banking across Europe, Elizabeth quickly discerned the recurring economic obstacles in Sub-Saharan Africa when she moved to Nairobi in 2009. Her innovative vision allowed BitPesa, now known as AZA Finance, to expand far beyond initial expectations, offering a comprehensive range of currency exchange and payment services. Drawing on her experience in microfinance and her role as a consultant, Elizabeth has emerged as one of the most influential women in the industry.”
Biography of Elizabeth Rossiello
Elizabeth Rossiello is an emblematic figure in the Fintech field, known for her ability to innovate and transform financial markets in Africa and beyond. With a career that began in investment banking in Europe, she turned her attention to Africa where she identified opportunities for improvement in the payments and currency exchange sector.
In 2013, she founded BitPesa, a pioneering company in the field of bitcoin services in Africa, with an ambitious goal: to capture 1% of the remittance market in Kenya. Her vision did not stop there, as BitPesa became what we know today as AZA Finance. The company, which started in Nairobi, now offers a full range of currency exchange and payment services on a global scale.
Before founding her own company, Elizabeth worked as a rating analyst for microfinance institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa and was a consultant for the Grameen Foundation. These experiences trained her to understand the unique economic dynamics of the region and to develop financial solutions tailored to emerging markets.
Career Start and Establishment in Africa
Elizabeth Rossiello started her career in investment banking in Europe, bringing with her valuable expertise from the financial industry. Having fled traditional structures, she decided to leverage her skills in emerging regions, settling in Nairobi in 2009. This geographical change was motivated by her desire to address the deeply rooted financial issues in emerging markets, such as high transaction costs and limited access to traditional financial services.
Foundation of BitPesa
In 2013, Elizabeth founded BitPesa, a digital exchange and payment platform focused on Africa’s cross-border markets. BitPesa was born out of a response to the growing demand for more efficient and affordable financial services in underserved regions. She defied norms by introducing bitcoin as a means to reduce international payment costs, cutting fees by nearly 75%. This innovation allowed many users in East and West Africa to access a global financial network, facilitating fast and low-cost transactions.
BitPesa’s initial success enabled Elizabeth to secure significant investments and other strategic partnerships. Through her perseverance and clear vision, she was able to expand BitPesa‘s services to other territories, transforming her local startup into a key player in the African fintech sector. In a short time, BitPesa gained a significant market share in the remittance market in Kenya, its initial host country.
Evolution to AZA Finance
BitPesa transformed to become AZA Finance, a company offering an even more diverse range of global financial services. This name and strategy change marks a crucial milestone in Elizabeth Rossiello’s career, reflecting her exceptional ability to anticipate the changing needs of the market and to adapt her company accordingly. Under Elizabeth’s leadership, AZA Finance now offers a comprehensive suite of currency exchange and payment services across multiple continents, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in the financial sector.
Elizabeth Rossiello is recognized as one of the most influential women in fintech, a status conferred by her numerous achievements. Her impact in the field extends beyond digital transactions to encompass economic empowerment in emerging regions. To learn more about her journey, check out this link and discover how she continues to shape the future of financial services in markets that need it the most.
