In this inspiring and insightful episode, Barbara sits down with Orry Diana Seem, Group Head of Cards at EcoBank Transnational Incorporated, to kick off Season 2 of Underdogs in Africa. Diana shares her journey from a small village in western Kenya to becoming a leading figure in Africa’s financial industry, overseeing operations in 33 countries. Referred to by Barbara as a 'godmother' in the payments industry, Diana opens up about her childhood, the influence of her mother and grandmother, and the values that have shaped her into the strong leader she is today. They discuss the role of women in the financial sector, balancing family and career, and the untapped potential of Africa’s informal economy.

Guest Bio: Orry Diana Seem is the Group Head of Cards at EcoBank Transnational Incorporated, overseeing card operations in 33 countries. With a career that started in sales, Diana has grown to manage a vast portfolio in Africa’s payments ecosystem, including credit, debit, and prepaid cards. Known for her deep industry knowledge and passion for financial inclusion, Diana is a champion for women in leadership and an advocate for change in Africa’s financial landscape.

Sponsor: This episode of Underdogs in Africa is brought to you by EFTCorp, a leader in payment solutions across Africa with over 20 years of experience. Learn more about their solutions at https://www.eftcorp.com or follow them on LinkedIn as EFT Corporation.

Connect with Scale on LinkedIn and Instagram Connect with Diana on LinkedIn and Instagram Visit EFT Corp's website and connect with them on LinkedIn

Chapters 0:00 - Sponsor: EFT Corporation 0:32 - Welcome Diana 1:52 - Diana's Background 10:02 - Moving from Kenya to Togo 23:01 - Why Women Fit Perfectly in the Payments Space 24:36 - The Nuances of the Payments Landscape in Africa 30:16 - How Banks and Regulators Can Help Fintech with Speed-to-Revenue 41:37 - Competition in the Market 47:06 - Financial Inclusion via Financial Literacy 50:16 - Why Banks are Reluctant to Offer Credit to the Informal Sector 54:43 - The Benefit to Informal Merchants of Accepting Digital Payments 1:05:40 - Balancing Career with Family Life 1:13:59 - The Role God has Played in Diana's Life 1:20:58 - Finances and Faith 1:25:46 - Outro