Scenario 1
“I love my job, but I feel like I’ve hit a wall. There’s this promotion I really want, but it requires a whole new skillset I have no idea about. I wish I could find someone who’s already been down this path who could show me the ropes.”
Scenario 2
“I have the skills, but for some reason, I just can’t seem to believe in myself. I get so nervous in meetings, and I never put myself out there for new opportunities. I feel like I need someone who can see my potential and help me silence that inner critic.”
Such is life! And yet we must press on and move forward. Both scenarios are valid and come at different stages, in different shades, and magnitudes for everyone. The unifying factor, being the need for someone to hold your hand through a challenging situation.
In life, having a mentor is a privilege that cannot be overlooked. A mentor is a trusted advisor, someone more experienced than you in a particular field or area of life. Someone who offers guidance, support, and encouragement to help you develop your skills and knowledge and reach your full potential.
In 2022 when we conducted the state of Uganda’s Fintech Industry survey, we recognized a gap in the number of women in the talent workforce of the fintech industry (only 35%), specifically at managerial positions in STEM fields. We committed to bridging this gap and creating a transformative environment for women in the fintech industry by supporting their personal and professional lives through FITSPA Women.
Among our programs at FITSPA Women is the mentorship program which happens in three cohorts every year. We created a mentorship structure where mentors and mentees are paired to facilitate conversations that enable personal audits and discussions on growth and ambition from a healthy wholesome point of view. The first cohort of 2024 commenced in April, ending in June, and was graced by 9 mentors and 33 mentees.
Much like the scenarios we explored at the beginning of this piece, the mentees intimated some of the challenges they face in their personal and professional lives when they were asked to share a bit of insight into what they expected from the mentorship exercise. The diversity of challenges varied according to the different stages at which each of the mentees is in life including personal challenges like overcoming the fear to start out as entrepreneurs, external pressure, imposter syndrome, procrastination, and relationship building. The professional challenges included career crossroads, market penetration, failure to fundraise, budget constraints, and striking a creative vs strategic balance in the professional world.
On the other hand, no one signs up for a mentorship program unless they are ready to do something about their situation, ready to up and press forward. As seen, these were all ladies with big dreams which without help and hand holding may never be realized. The ladies also intimated that among their development goals, they wanted to learn about career growth, entrepreneurship, niche discovery, scaling a business, public speaking, digital marketing, strategy development, and pick up soft skills.
This turned out to be even better than we had imagined. So we paired mentees with mentors depending on their personal development goals and the mentors’ experience. The 8 weeks long cohort was structured into four phases of 2 weeks each to enable gradual, focused and efficient learning.
The first phase was labeled discovery and mapping. The second, alignment and critical success factors. The third, pursuit and growth, and the fourth, Breakthrough.
Mentorship is a long-term journey with short, mid, and long term goals making 8 weeks seem like a really short time for the program to be effective. However, the mentorship program provides an avenue for long term relationships between mentors and their mentees who are at will to extend their interactions as they see fit.
Register here to join the FITSPA Women Database and be amongst the first to know when the intake for the second cohort of our mentorship program is on!
Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbR3BzYK5m38Lneu9cjaGks_i9eSPQLeR4jlHFf–Ini7mSw/viewform
The FITSPA mentorship program wouldn’t be complete without the dedication of its incredible mentors . We were honored to work with 9 esteemed and incredible mentors, all of whom possess a vast wealth of knowledge, exposure, and experience to empower the mentees to achieve their full potential. Meet the mentors who are shaping the future of Ugandan Women in Fintech:
Ms. Josephine Olok
Director and Co-founder of LumJo Consultants Limited, Board Chairperson at FITSPA
Ms. Josephine Olok brings over 25 years of experience in Information Technology to the table. She has a proven track record working as a consultant and in IT leadership positions across various sectors, including Oil and Gas, Banking, Technology, Postal, Private and NGO sectors.
Currently, she serves as the Director and Co-founder of LumJo Consultants Limited, a company established to address the gap in fit-for-purpose, affordable, locally available, locally developed, and locally supported software in Uganda. Ms. Josephine also holds the position ofBoard Chairperson at FITSPA, demonstrating her deep commitment to fostering innovation and growth within the Ugandan fintech ecosystem.
Ms. Doreen Lukandwa
Vice President, Global Enterprise at Onafriq
Doreen Lukandwa boasts over 10 years of experience driving success within the African financial services sector. Her expertise lies in channel and partnership development, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, last-mile delivery and management. Previously, Doreen served as the Head of Marketing at Onafriq, and also played a critical role in the launch of MTN Mobile Money in Uganda, a pivotal development in mobile financial services for the country. Doreen’s achievements are further recognized through her receipt of the inaugural Digital Impact Awards Africa’s “Women In FinTech Leadership Award,” highlighting her dedication to promoting gender equality through digital financial services.
Ms. Primera Muthoni
Co-Founder and Operations Consultant at Analytics Business Centre
Primera Muthoni, is a Co-Founder at Analytics Business Centre, a consultancy providing services such as leadership development, team management, and process improvement. She leverages her skills in data management and business process management and improvement to empower the businesses. Primera also leveraged her skills in customer journey mapping, Blockchain technology, and product management as the Product Manager at Yellow Card App and extends her expertise by serving as a consultant to the Uganda Management Institute and as a Board member for Girls 4 Girls Uganda, a non-profit organization focused on empowering girls.
“Mentorship is about giving but mentors also receive. The beauty of an authentic relationship is its reciprocity. Mentees give back to their mentors in a meaningful way. Iron sharpens iron.”
Ms. Mariam Nkamwesiga
Head, Technology Management at Interswitch Uganda
Mariam Nkamwesiga brings a wealth of experience spanning over 9 years to her role as Head, Technology Management at Interswitch. Her background encompasses customer service, software and system integrations, project management, and general management. Prior to joining Interswitch, Mariam played a key role at RSwitch, the National payment switch in Rwanda, where she implemented and managed ATM, Card, and POS products and services for various Rwandan banks. Since joining Interswitch in 2017, Mariam has steadily progressed through different technical and managerial roles, solidifying her expertise in designing, developing, and implementing various products and services within the payments industry.
“Mentorship empowers you to impart your legacy, allowing someone else to pick it up and carry it further than you could in a single lifetime. After all, what is the purpose of wisdom if we don’t gift it to others and the future?”
Ms. Barbara Among Arinda
Executive Director, Credit Reference Bureaus Association of Uganda, and CEO of Wincurve Consult Limited
Barbara Among Arinda, a lawyer with 12 years of experience, is a multifaceted professional with expertise in corporate & commercial law, data protection, credit reference bureau operations, corporate governance, regulatory affairs, compliance & risk management. Barbara holds the distinction of being the pioneer lawyer in Uganda’s Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) industry. Her extensive experience includes serving as in-house counsel, managing company secretarial roles, handling all corporate & commercial law aspects, data protection, risk & compliance, escalated disputes, regulatory affairs, and related matters. Currently, Barbara leverages her expertise as the Executive Director for the Credit Reference Bureaus Association of Uganda. Additionally, she is the founder and CEO of Wincurve Consult Limited, a company offering training, management, and consultancy services in data protection, CRB related matters, and other areas within her domain. Barbara’s commitment to continuous learning is evident in her pursuit of a CIPP/E Qualification in data protection and privacy.
Ms. Anita Asiimwe
Head Partnerships at Stanbic Bank
Anita Asiimwe, currently leading the charge as Head of Partnerships at Stanbic Bank, leverages over 14 years of experience in Fintech and telecommunications. Her focus areas lie in innovation, partnerships, and crafting winning business strategies. Anita thrives in dynamic environments, having honed her skills working with both established multinationals and agile startups. Her expertise lies in identifying and capitalizing on opportunities that foster mutually beneficial partnerships. In her current role at Stanbic Bank, Anita spearheads the bank’s growth strategy by forging strong collaborations with third-party players within the Ugandan financial ecosystem. Prior to joining Stanbic Bank, Anita served as the Country Manager for Cellulant Uganda, a Pan-African mobile commerce company. There, she demonstrated her leadership capabilities by executing the company’s strategy and business plans, overseeing all aspects of operations. Anita’s career began in the telecommunications sector where she gained valuable experience working as a Systems Analyst for both MTN and Airtel (Warid Telecom). She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Makerere University and is currently pursuing an MBA, further solidifying her qualifications as a prominent leader within the ever-evolving world of Fintech.
Ms. Janet Akol
Human Resource and Administration Manager, and Life Coach
Janet Akol is a multifaceted professional with expertise in human resource management, administration, and life and career coaching. With a strong academic background in Development Studies and an MBA in progress, she possesses a deep understanding of organizational development, socio-economic development, and strategic management. As a dedicated coach, Janet empowers individuals to navigate career transitions, develop leadership skills, and achieve a balanced life. Her unique blend of academic achievements, practical experience, and commitment to continuous learning makes her a dynamic mentor and coach, driving positive change in her mentee’s lives.
