Payments and Transfers company Kocela emerged the winner of the Payments and Transfer Company category in the just concluded African Fintech Awards. The event, which was held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa was held on 12th & 13th 2017 and saw weeks of voting and intense pitch battles The public was also involved in the choosing of the winners
Kocela’s journey to victory started with a nomination to this year’s African FIntech Awards. By any standards, this was an impressive achievement. It meant the African Fintech community recognised them as one of the most promising and innovative companies in the Fintech sector. After 2 months of public voting, Kocela emerged at the top of the public vote, clinching “Top in Kenya” and top in their category: Payments and Transfers.
They then proceeded to the next stage which was pitching at the African FIntech Awards. Along with 2 other companies, which included powerhouses like Cellulant who won last year’s award, Kocela pitched before a panel of judges. Once again Kocela emerged victorious. They had impressed not just the public, as they won the public vote again, but a formidable panel of judges that consisted of some of the most respected names in the Fintech space
Kocela, a newcomer to the African Fintech Awards triumphed over veterans and powerhouses like Cellulant, who had won this award last year. In just one of many ways that prove Kocela has finally come of age, Abel Masai, Kocela CEO shared a stage with his former supervisor at Cellulant. Abel started out his career as an intern at Cellulant after which he left to start Kocela. In barely over 4 years, Abel’s vision for Kocela has been validated.
“It’s been absolutely surreal. When we started Kocela 4 years ago, we couldn’t have foreseen the growth we’ve experienced. We are humbled to be awarded the Best Payments and Transfers Company in Africa. It was great to compete on a global stage with the biggest players in Africa, and emerge winners ”, said a visibly elated Abel.
Kocela ’s products are used by thousands of people daily for starters, the KCB Mobile Banking Application for Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi. Some of their other clients include Standard Media Group, Radio Africa, The Star, Safaricom, Spire Bank, HF Bank, Credit Bank among many others.
Winning the award is no mean feat. The African Fintech Awards is the place where innovative and disruptive FinTech companies are awarded. 6000* finance professionals and 500 handpicked entrepreneurs, bankers and investors meet at this Global stage to expand their network, extend knowledge and develop business.