Sitoyo Lopokoiyit:Making Financial Services Accessible To All Africans

Tell us a bit about yourself:
My name is Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, I’m the CEO of Mpesa Africa.We’re in seven countries across Africa including Kenya.I also chair at KCA University & Moi Teaching & Referral Hospital. I also love giving back and I do alot of philanthropy in my free time. I’m excited to be doing what I do. I’m passionate about it, passionate about Africa and passionate about Kenya.

What is the secret to your success?
I think the key thing is asking yourself what problem are you trying to solve.There are problems and there are opportunities, and we have to go after those too.In Africa people needed financial access and we created Mpesa so that everyone csn have financial inclusion.People wanted, Fuliza and things like that and we put those products and services to fulfill those needs.We’ve been continuously listening to what customers are saying and building products and services around that.We are focused on ensuring that we’re building products and services that help society and I believe we are on the right track.

Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?I’ve run Mpesa for the last 13 years. In another 10 years, I want to be doing a lot more charitable things.I want to teach young people how to be successful in life.I want to take what I’ve learned and impart it in the next generation. I’d love to be doing that.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started out?I wish somebody taught me how to manage money and how to invest. Because when I was 19, I formed a garbage collecting company.I had more than 3000 houses. I was making a lot of money back then but I didn’t know what to do with that money.I went into pool tables afterwards,then into supplies.I went into many things while still studying and doing stuff but nobody taught me about investing.When Kibaki came in and the stock exchange was doing well.I didn’t know that I could invest into stocks.I always advise the youth you could either save your money or spend the money.I now know that as you earn it’s important to invest and to reward yourself. So those are the things I wish somebody had told me in my earlier days and I honestly think I’d have turned out a little bit better.

What do you like your legacy to be?One thing I always tell my staff is write your own obituary.What would people say in your obituary? I want to be known as a good man.
That’s it.I want people to say that I was a good man.That’s it.