When the World Economic Forum unveiled its 2026 Technology Pioneers, only one African fintech made the list, Pezesha. Behind that milestone is Kenyan entrepreneur Hilda Moraa, whose work has steadily transformed financial access for small businesses across the continent.
Moraa founded Pezesha in 2017 to solve a problem that continues to hold back many African entrepreneurs, access to affordable financing.
What began as a digital lending platform has since grown into an AI-powered financial infrastructure company that helps banks and financial institutions make better lending decisions through alternative data, credit scoring, and underwriting tools.
Today, Pezesha operates in Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana, supporting more than 500,000 SME loans and helping underserved businesses gain access to capital. For many small enterprises, that kind of support is not just useful, it is the difference between surviving and scaling.
The WEF recognition adds to a career already marked by firsts.
Before Pezesha, Moraa founded WezaTele, a mobility and fintech company that was acquired in 2015, marking Kenya’s first recorded multi-million-dollar tech exit. That achievement helped open new possibilities for a generation of African founders looking to build venture-backed technology businesses.
Her leadership has since earned global attention.
Moraa has been named among Quartz Africa’s Top 30 Innovators, selected as a Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst, honoured with the Forbes Woman Africa Tech and Innovation Award, and recognised as one of ICS Africa’s Phenomenal 50 women leaders for 2026. She also serves as an eTrade for Women Advocate, mentoring women-led digital businesses and championing more inclusive innovation across Africa.
Yet despite the accolades, Moraa’s focus remains clear. She is still working to close Africa’s financial inclusion gap. Through Pezesha, she continues to demonstrate how technology can serve as a practical infrastructure for entrepreneurs, lenders, and job creation.
Away from the boardroom, Moraa also keeps a grounded rhythm. She enjoys yoga, meditation, podcasts, and even finds washing dishes therapeutic, a quiet reminder that behind the milestones is a leader who values balance as much as ambition.
With Pezesha now on the global stage, Hilda Moraa’s story stands as a powerful example of African innovation solving African problems while shaping the future of fintech.
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