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Chief Executive Officer, Payments Association of South Africa (PASA)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Ghita Erling has over 24 years of experience in corporate and retail banking, transactional banking and payments.
Currently, she leads PASA, the industry body mandated by the South African Reserve Bank to assist it in managing the country’s National Payment System.
Ghita has been instrumental in working with the broader South African payments industry to design the Payments Industry Body, an inclusive body for all payments community entities, which will ultimately replace PASA.
Previously, she was responsible for building and operationalising the payments function for the Discovery Bank startup. She has served as a director on the boards of BankservAfrica and SBV Services.
Chief Financial Officer, Payments Association of South Africa (PASA)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Cosmore Pariola is a highly experienced Chartered Accountant with international business exposure, having worked in various regions, including South Africa and Australia.
Her career has focused on financial services, professional services and mining, often in senior management or leadership positions interacting with C-suite members and executives.
Previously, Cosmore oversaw business operations and technology in 11 Sub-Saharan African countries while working for an international bank.
Her various responsibilities include meeting financial targets, human capital, risk and controls, client experience, and systems and processes. These duties support delivery of strong and sustainable financial results, underpinned by sound controls, systems and processes in highly competitive environments.
Head of Digital Payment Operations in Payment and Regulatory COE Absa Bank Limited
Johannesburg, South Africa
Vickey Ganesh is an international payments practitioner with 26 years of experience in strategy and solution formulation.
He has worked in corporate roles and as a private consultant to commercial banks and payments stakeholders.
Vickey has excellent insight into national and regional interbank settlement schemes, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
He has been responsible for large-value payment systems in technology and payments operations, focusing on the design and build of domestic and cross-border payments and settlement capabilities with various central banks.
Through these advanced projects, he has contributed to the industry book of knowledge on domestic and regional payments, benefiting the entire industry.
Chief Director Financial Markets and Stability, National Treasury
Johannesburg, South Africa
Currently, Vukile Davidson is responsible for coordinating both regulatory and public policy issues regarding the safety, soundness and integrity of the financial sector.
He has also contributed to various key financial sector reforms, including South Africa’s resolution framework and policy issues as diverse as climate change and financial innovation.
Previously, Vukile worked at the Financial Stability Board in Basel, Switzerland on topics such as the challenges facing SMEs and the decline in correspondent banking services, specifically focusing on the Americas, Middle East and North Africa, and Asia.
Vukile holds an MSc in Development Economics and Finance from the University of London.
Herman Singh brings a unique mix of business, technology, leadership, academic and creative expertise to the stage.
For almost 25 years, he has served in director-level roles, either directly or as an advisor. His experience covers a wide range of industries, including cellular communications, digital technologies, banking, financial services, and more.
He is currently a professor in practice at the University of Johannesburg Business School, and an adjunct professor at both UCT’s Graduate School of Business and Duke University, USA.
Through Future Advisory, Herman helps both start-ups and established concerns develop future-proof strategies for success in a digitally disrupted market.
Justice Malala is an award-winning author, political commentator, newspaper columnist and television host.
He writes regular columns for Bloomberg internationally, and the Financial Mail and TimesLive in South Africa. He has been published in the Financial Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, Times of London, and others.
In 2023, The Economist called him “perhaps the country’s most astute political commentator.”
Malala has authored four books. The latest, The Plot To Save South Africa: The Week Mandela Averted Civil War and Forged a New Nation, was published in Canada, the UK, the USA and South Africa, reaching number one on the South African best-seller list.
Jan Pilbauer has over 15 years of experience in the payments industry, consistently delivering impactful national initiatives and transformations.
Currently the CEO of Al Etihad Payments, he leads the team transforming and modernising the UAE payments ecosystem, including Aani, its new instant payments platform.
Before that, Jan was the CEO at BankservAfrica, Africa’s largest clearing house, where he implemented key initiatives, such as PayShap, South Africa’s domestic instant payments scheme.
As Executive Director and Chief Information Officer at Payments Canada, he contributed to Canada’s payments modernisation journey.
Jan is passionate about financial technology and inclusion and continues to make significant contributions to the global payments industry.
Leo Lipis is the founder of Lipis Advisors and has 25 years of experience in payment systems management, consulting and research on all six continents.
Prior to launching Lipis Advisors, he held positions in payments strategy and analysis with commercial banks, clearing houses and central banks.
Leo works chiefly in transaction banking, payment system strategy and design, and treasury management.
He has led numerous studies on payment system functionality, covering all types of payments in over 70 countries.
Under his leadership, Lipis Advisors has completed engagements for over 200 clients on a wide range of subjects across the payment spectrum.
Chief Risk Officer, Payments Association of South Africa (PASA)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Naniki Ramabi is the Chief Risk Officer for the Payments Association of South Africa (PASA).
She joined PASA in 2019 and is a member of the PASA Executive Committee, responsible for maintaining sound risk management practices for both PASA as a legal entity and the National Payment System (NPS).
She has over 24 years of working experience in the financial services industry spanning the Risk Management, Auditing, Compliance, Forensic Investigations, and Information Security governance fields.
Divisional Head of Fintech, South African Reserve Bank (SARB)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Lyle Horsley is the head of fintech at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and currently serves as the chairperson of the Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group (IFWG) in South Africa. In her current role, areas of focus include crypto assets; open finance; central bank digital currencies; artificial intelligence and tokenisation, and advancing practical explorative projects to understand the policy and regulatory implications of emerging technologies for the financial sector.
The SARB’s Fintech Unit also co-leads the IFWG’s Innovation Hub, made of the regulatory guidance unit, the regulatory sandbox and the innovation accelerator.
Lyle is an admitted attorney and conveyancer in SA and obtained her LLM (cum laude) from the University of Witwatersrand. Previously, Lyle worked as a lead policy specialist at the Prudential Authority and clerked for the former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
She successfully completed the Cambridge Open Banking and Finance for Regulators Online Programme and the Cambridge SupTech Lab Innovation Leaders Programme, through the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, Cambridge Judge Business School.
Ingrid Goodspeed is an independent financial sector analyst with over 30 years of banking and financial markets experience, including treasury, risk management, compliance, investment analysis, economic research and information technology.
She previously served as Chief Director, Financial Sector Development at the National Treasury, and held executive and management roles at several banks.
Ingrid is a Chartered Director (SA) and a Fellow of the South African Institute of Financial Markets (SAIFM). She was appointed as PASA’s Independent Council Chair in August 2024 and serves on several boards and trusts, including the SAIFM, and ASISA Enterprise and Supplier Development Fund.
Ingrid also holds an MBL (cum laude), a BCom Honours (Economics) and an LLB from Unisa.
Research and Strategy Manager, Payments Association of South Africa (PASA)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Shanice Gounden brings to her role at PASA over seven years of experience in financial services and payment strategy, with specialisation in large-scale programme transformation across diverse sectors. She has actively contributed to various payments modernisation, innovation and regulatory initiatives within South Africa and across Africa.
Currently, Shanice leads PASA’s engagement in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Recommendation 16, representing both bank and non-bank stakeholders in global and domestic consultations.
Her work focuses on enhancing transparency and compliance in the payments sector, ensuring that South Africa's financial systems align with international standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Percer Consulting
Johannesburg, South Africa
Nomathamsanqa (Thami) Moatshe has over 22 years of leadership experience spanning industry, commerce, energy, development finance and banking.
She serves as an Independent Councillor at the Payments Association of South Africa (PASA), where she chairs the Audit Committee, and contributes to the Risk and IT Committees and the PIB Advisory Committee.
In addition to leading Percer Consulting, Thami serves in Chairperson, Non-Executive Director or Independent Non-Executive Director roles at various organisations.
She holds an MBA from Henley Business School and a Master of Management in Finance and Investment from Wits Business School and is a Certified Director accredited by the Institute of Directors South Africa.
Executive Advisor, Payments Association of South Africa (PASA)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Maurits Pretorius brings over 27 years of experience in strategy development, strategic transformation, and organisational turnaround driving change at both corporate and industry levels.
Following his retirement as PASA’s Chief Strategy Officer in 2024, Maurits continues to contribute as an Executive Advisor, reporting directly to the CEO. His current focus areas include supporting the PEM programme, guiding PASA through a rapidly evolving regulatory environment, and building strategic capability through the development of a Strategy Centre of Excellence for both PASA and the broader payments industry.
Maurits has played a pivotal role in shaping South Africa’s payments landscape. He was instrumental in the development and implementation of industry-wide payment modernisation roadmaps for key initiatives such as PayShap and DebiCheck. He also led the design of the Payments Industry Body (PIB), ensuring that it is inclusive, effective, and future-focused. While recent regulatory policy shifts may influence the original PIB design, Maurits’s continued involvement ensures both continuity and meaningful industry participation going forward.
With his deep expertise and strategic insight into the payments ecosystem, Maurits Pretorius brings exceptional value to PIPC 2025 as a featured speaker.
Director and Managing Partner, Financial Services Strategy, Genesis Analytics
Johannesburg, South Africa
Richard Ketley is a leading expert on banking in Africa, with over 25 years of experience advising financial institutions across the continent and the Middle East.
At Genesis Analytics, he works closely with boards and executive teams on strategic initiatives including bank acquisitions, treasury strategy, retail banking value propositions, and pricing models. His particular interests include mobile payments and money transfers, small business banking, and innovative pricing solutions.
Richard is also a respected speaker and lectures widely on topics related to retail banking and financial sector strategy.
Vice President, Group Digital Payments, Walmart Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa
Stasha Battye brings over 30 years of experience across technical, management, and leadership roles, with a strong focus on technology and retail initiatives, particularly in point-of-sale and payment ecosystems.
With a deep background in solution architecture and consulting, she has led the design and implementation of numerous payments and digital value-added services, products, and systems.
Her work reflects a strong understanding of the complexities of these environments and the importance of delivering secure, sustainable, and user-friendly services to consumers.
Stasha has been instrumental in several landmark payment initiatives in South Africa, including the development of the first Active-Active retail payment switch in Africa only the second of its kind globally.
Adrian Saville brings more than 25 years of experience in capital markets and investment management, with a track record spanning all major asset classes across both public and private markets. He has managed a variety of funds and portfolios throughout his career.
Alongside his investment work, he is deeply engaged in academia and thought leadership, holding a professorship at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in South Africa where he also heads up the Centre for African Management and Markets.
Adrian has developed a range of innovative tools to assess economic integration and performance, investment impact, and firm strategy across diverse markets. In 2023, he founded Boundless World, an advisory firm focused on capital markets, business model innovation, and growth strategy.
Nkateko Mabaso is an accomplished financial services professional with two decades of experience in banking and insurance. At BankservAfrica, she leads the risk management, ethics, and compliance functions, playing a key role in ensuring operational integrity and regulatory compliance, particularly for Systemically Important Financial Institutions (SIFIs).
Nkateko has developed deep expertise in enterprise-wide risk management. She has led the design and implementation of robust governance frameworks, strategic risk approaches, and monitoring processes that underpin organisational resilience.
She also provides expertise in outsourcing and supplier risk management, risk modelling analysis, and business continuity planning. Her work supports the development of effective risk mitigation strategies, helping to ensure BankservAfrica’s stability and resilience in an evolving regulatory and operational landscape.
Stephen Linnell is a dynamic executive who has a wealth of local and international experience across a wide range of disciplines. He has a proven track record of delivering transformation-oriented results in the financial services sector.
Stephen has a strong interest in developing sustainable and impactful South African financial market infrastructure and previously served on the Board of the JSE Clear and STRATE.
Stephen joined BankservAfrica from Rand Merchant Bank, where he held the position of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer for Global Markets. He also served as the Head of Global Securities Services at the African corporate and investment bank.
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Peach Payments
Cape Town, South Africa
Rahul Jain is the Co-founder and CEO of Peach Payments, a leading payment gateway empowering businesses across Africa. With a vision to simplify online payments, Rahul has driven Peach Payments' expansion across the continent, enabling thousands of merchants, from startups to large enterprises, to thrive in the digital economy.
An IESE Business School MBA graduate and recognised as one of their 40Under40 Entrepreneurs, Rahul is a respected voice in African fintech. He is dedicated to fostering financial inclusion and entrepreneurial success by providing secure and seamless payment solutions tailored to the diverse African market.
Lineshree Moodley brings over 19 years of experience in financial services, with a strong focus on shaping the future of e-commerce and digital payments in sub-Saharan Africa.
She has led strategy development and digitalisation initiatives for mobile network operators, financial institutions, and fintechs across diverse markets, helping to design and implement innovative payment platforms and future-ready banking models.
Her work spans the full lifecycle of digital payment systems, from conceptualisation to execution, with a particular focus on non-traditional and value-added financial services. Lineshree is driven by a passion for financial technology as a catalyst for economic development, business growth, and improved quality of life.
Olivier Lens leads a team across three offices to deliver on SWIFT’s ambitious Africa growth plan.
Prior to this, Olivier was part of the Capital Markets Strategy team at SWIFT, tasked with defining the organisation’s global capital markets strategy for the future, from a technological, product and segment perspective.
Olivier joined SWIFT in 2012 to manage its Funds & Investment Management business across EMEA. In 2014, he took over the Benelux sales and relationship management team, supporting regional banks, payment service providers, corporates and market infrastructures.
Before SWIFT, Olivier worked for Euroclear, covering various functions from operational management to network management.
Lauren Breetzke is a highly respected legal expert in South Africa’s financial services sector, having over a decade of specialising in payments law.
At FirstRand Bank, she plays a pivotal role in shaping legal strategy and regulatory compliance within the payments ecosystem.
She has served three terms as Chair of the PASA Legal Committee, spearheading numerous initiatives. In recognition of her leadership and deep sector expertise, Lauren was recently appointed to the PASA Council.
A respected voice, she continues to shape discourse on legal and regulatory developments in payments. Her ability to bridge the gap between legal frameworks and rapidly evolving payments makes her a sought-after thought leader worldwide.
Strategic Product Director, South African Reserve Bank (SARB)
Johannesburg, South Africa
At SARB, Arif Ismail directs payment product strategies for the Payments Ecosystem Modernisation programme.
Previously, he served as Deputy Division Chief in the Payments and Infrastructure Division at the IMF, co-leading efforts on payments, financial market infrastructures and digital money matters.
Arif is passionate about digitalisation's impact on society and how it can enhance social welfare while mitigating risks to both domestic and international monetary systems.
Arif holds a BSc in mathematics and physics, a PhD in business administration and management from GIBS, and a DBA in strategic leadership and transformation. His interests include change management, complex adaptive systems, psycho-social cognition and leadership theory.
Erna Solomon is a seasoned financial services technology leader with over 35 years of experience across local and international banks, insurers, clearing houses, and consultancies. Her expertise lies in aligning business and technology strategies to deliver customer-centric solutions that drive tangible business value.
Throughout her career, Erna has led large-scale industry and enterprise implementations across payments, securities, core banking, and data platforms. Prior to founding Cyan EA, she held executive roles including Chief Architect, CIO, Consulting Partner, CEO, and COO, and has served on multiple boards.
Erna played a key role in re-architecting the SARB's Financial Surveillance (FinSurv) and Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) systems and was part of PASA’s Project Future team, which laid the groundwork for BankservAfrica’s launch of PayShap.
Associate Director for Cyber Security Sales and Client Development, CyberCom
Cape Town, South Africa
Lukas van der Merwe is a seasoned ICT managed services expert with over 25 years of global experience. He brings deep expertise in cybersecurity, with a strategic focus on holistic approaches and Zero Trust principles.
Throughout his career, Lukas has held senior executive and sales roles at leading technology firms including Gijima, T-Systems, and IBM. Today, he leads Cybersecurity Sales and Client Development at CyberCom, where he strengthens the critical link between cybersecurity and business growth.
Renowned for building lasting client relationships, Lukas excels in navigating complex digital challenges through innovative problem solving, strategic negotiation, and impactful communication.
Head of Regional Payments African Regions and Remittances Domain Standard Bank Group
Johannesburg, South Africa
Brad Gillis has over 25 years experience in payments and financial services. His portfolio covers over 20 countries across Africa. He also leads the Remittances Domain for Standard Bank.
His broad expertise includes national and regional high and low-value payment and EFT systems, cards, wallets and remittances, payments association participation, and collaboration with various industry role players, including central banks across the continent.
Brad has authored several research articles on payments and transactional banking in South Africa and African markets and regularly presents at payment and financial services conferences.
Before joining Standard Bank, Brad was CEO of BankservAfrica’s Regulated Business.
Chief Operating Officer, South African Reserve Bank (SARB)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Pradeep Maharaj is the COO of SARB, responsible for its support services cluster, including the Human Capital and Operations clusters.
Appointed when the position was first created in 2012, he has extensive experience in the role, including overseeing the bank’s financial, business systems and technology, and facilities management functions.
Previously, he was the Group Executive: Currency Cluster at SARB, responsible for the Bank’s currency management and security functions, overseeing the South African Bank Note Company and South African Mint.
With a career spanning 16 years, Nastassia Arendse has established herself as a smart, compelling and creative financial journalist.
As a leading anchor on CNBC Africa, she hosts a weekday programme where she interviews top industry experts and explores key issues in finance, markets, economics, and business both locally and globally.
Nastassia’s versatility spans print, audio, digital, and television platforms. Her international experience has taken her around the world, showcasing her adaptability and depth as a journalist.
A dynamic news anchor and reporter, she has hosted numerous business shows across television and radio and authored in-depth features on global commodity markets.
Kimmo Soramäki is the Founder and CEO of FNA and the author of Network Theory and Financial Risk. He began his career as an economist at the Bank of Finland, where in 1997, he developed the first simulator for optimising intraday liquidity in interbank payment systems.
In 2004, while at the research department of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, he was among the first to apply methods from network theory to improve our understanding of financial systems. During the 2007–2008 financial crisis, Kimmo advised several central banks including the Bank of England and the European Central Bank on modelling interconnections and systemic risk.
This work inspired the founding of FNA, a company focused on making financial networks safer and more resilient. Kimmo holds a Doctor of Science in Operations Research and a Master of Science in Accounting (Finance), both from Aalto University in Helsinki.
Miranda Perumal is a dynamic payments leader with extensive experience driving partnerships and market development across Africa.
At Scale, Miranda leverages her deep industry knowledge and C-suite engagement capabilities to accelerate growth for financial technology companies throughout the continent.
Her work history includes an exceptional track record for developing innovative card issuing go-to-market implementations for banks, MNOs, fintechs and payment facilitators.
Miranda is passionate about #FemaleInTech, combining her strategic vision with authentic relationship-building to drive financial inclusion and accessibility across Africa.
Her expertise in product evolution, market development and partnership creation positions her as an influential ambassador for payment and fintech innovation.
Executive Manager Compliance and Prevention, Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC)
Pretoria, South Africa
Christopher Malan has oversight responsibility for monitoring the national state of supervision and inspections by supervisory bodies, and national compliance of all accountable institutions under the FIC Act.
He is a member of the South African delegation to the Financial Action Task Force, responsible for remediating grey-listing action items relating to Designated Non-financial Businesses and Professions.
Christopher is also co-chair of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Beneficial Ownership Transparency tasked with designing and implementing a national BOT registry framework in South Africa and provides guidance on the greylisting remediation of BOT.
A financial sector expert, he has participated in FATF assessments of Australia and Finland.
Executive Governance Legal and Compliance, Payments Association of South Africa (PASA)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Nadine is an admitted attorney with extensive experience in legal practice, having served as Senior Legal Counsel at the South African Reserve Bank and Head of Legal at Standard Chartered Bank.
Her expertise spans banking law, reserve asset management programme advice and all facets of competition and dispute law.
Nadine has a keen interest in payments law and brings her wealth of banking and regulatory knowledge to her role at PASA, focusing on the transition to the PIB and the implementation of related payment regulations.
She holds an LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand and has completed the International Executive Development Programme from Wits Business School.
Lincoln Mali is a seasoned business leader, speaker and author with over 25 years of experience in the financial services sector.
After two decades in senior leadership roles at Standard Bank Group, he joined Lesaka Technologies in 2021, where he led the company’s successful transformation into South Africa’s leading fintech.
Lincoln is also the Founding President of the Association of South African Payment Providers (ASAPP), an industry body focused on advancing financial inclusion in South Africa.
In 2022, he authored Blazing a Trail: Lessons for African Leadership, with proceeds supporting the Lincoln Mali Leadership Foundation - a non-profit dedicated to youth empowerment and leadership development across Africa.
Digital Identity Owner, South African Reserve Bank (SARB)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Gerhard plays a pivotal role in advancing digital identity and security capabilities within the financial sector. With over two decades of experience in cyber and information security, Gerhard has led numerous initiatives across prominent financial institutions, including SARB. His work has spanned risk management, IT governance, and strategic leadership of several security-focused committees and working groups.
Gerhard holds a Master of Science in Information Technology and a B.Com Honours in Informatics. He also maintains a suite of globally recognised certifications in cybersecurity and privacy, including CISSP, CCSP, CISM, CGEIT, CIPT, and CRISC.
His professional journey includes roles at the JSE, Deloitte, and Dimension Data, where he contributed to building resilient and secure digital ecosystems.
Katlego Maphai has twenty years of experience in technology. He is currently the Co-founder and CEO of Yoco. This market-leading digital payments platform provides payment acceptance solutions, software-driven business tools, and working capital for small businesses in South Africa.
His previous work involved venture development at Rocket Internet, where he helped to set up the Jumia pan-African e-commerce platform in Nigeria in 2012. Katlego started his career in management consulting, media, and technology management consulting at Accenture and then Delta Partners.
He graduated from the University of Cape Town with a degree in Business Science Information Systems.
Early in his career as a computer engineer, Dewald Nolte identified the need for new and innovative ways to secure digital and other high-risk transactions.
He co-founded Entersekt in 2008 to provide transaction authentication using digital certificate technology deployed to mobile phones.
Since then, his expertise in customer and payment authentication has been key to creating an industry-leading cross-channel authentication platform that protects its customers against fraud.
At Entersekt, Dewald is responsible for developing, communicating and executing the company’s global market strategy.
He is passionate about technology and developing innovations that empower organisations to unlock their potential through digital transformation while creating better user experiences.
Kevin Hogan has been in banking for 23 years. At Investec, he specialises in financial fraud and social engineering, and is an expert in false documents, ID and passport detection.
Previously, he worked at Nedbank for 8 years, first as a credit analyst and then as part of the first retail banking fraud prevention team, which he led until 2009.
Kevin headed up fraud prevention at Standard Bank for 3 years and was a director at South African Fraud Prevention Services from 2005 to 2009. He has also chaired various SABRIC committees over the years.
Heidi Giokos is a highly respected, award-winning business reporter and television anchor with over 17 years in the broadcast media industry. Her experience extends to journalism, media relations, radio and radio production, and television.
She has worked with many well-known news outlets, including eNCA, the Star News, Independent Newspapers, Caxton Local Newspapers, UJFM and CNBC Africa.
Heidi has served as an IMF Fellow, is a 2019 Nat Naska Award nominee, and is a recipient of the 2020 Sanlam Financial Journalist of the Year Award for Broadcast TV/Video.
She holds an Honours Degree in Communication Studies from the University of Johannesburg.
Zikhona Tshona is an accomplished and multi-award-winning South African journalist and media practitioner.
Over the past decade, she has worked for some of the country’s top newsrooms, as both a producer and a reporter, covering many of the nation’s most high-profile stories.
Zikhona’s compelling journalism has won her several awards over the years. She is a four-time winner of a Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award, as well as a 2024 Standard Bank Sivukile Journalism Award and the 2023 National Press Club Journalist of the Year Award.
She holds a BJourn and was recently honoured with a Rhodes University Distinguished Alumni Award.
Head of Public Policy, Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Raadhika Sihin is a seasoned public policy expert in financial services, specialising in payments, financial inclusion and regulatory affairs.
At GFTN, she provides strategic guidance on fintech ecosystems, payments connectivity and digital public infrastructure.
Previous key roles at Meta, MasterCard, SARB and the National Treasury had her engaging central banks, international regulators and global standard-setting bodies.
Raadhika operates at the intersection of policy and innovation, having been instrumental in advancing inclusive payment systems and responsible digital finance.
She is passionate about inclusive finance and sustainable growth, combining her economic expertise with a global perspective to drive systemic change in the payments landscape.
Chief Payments Officer, Payments Associations of South Africa (PASA)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Lesego Chauke-Motshwane is responsible for the payment systems functions at PASA. These include the Payments Clearing and Settlement structures; committees for the various payment systems of South Africa’s National Payment System; PASA’s Change Management and Communications functions; and PASA’s Project Management Office.
In addition, she is the PASA executive sponsor for several strategic projects in the payments industry.
Prior to PASA, Lesego spent 20 years in financial services at commercial banks in various management roles. The early part of her career was spent in electronics engineering and management consulting.
She holds a Master of Engineering (Cum Laude) and a Master of Business Administration.
Geo-political shifts and their impact on South Africa’s payment systems: Navigating uncertainty
Overview: Geo-political shifts are redefining global payments, trade flows, and financial alliances. This session explores how changing power dynamics, sanctions, and regional instability impact South Africa’s payments ecosystem, and what strategies are needed to stay resilient, innovative, and globally connected in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
Speaker: Justice Malala
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Speaker: Dr Adrian Saville
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Panelist: Leo Lipis
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09:30 AM
09:30 AM to 10:15 AM
The global payments revolution: How the world is adapting to a changing landscape
Overview: Explore how evolving customer expectations, rapid technological innovation, and shifting economic and political landscapes are transforming the global payments ecosystem. This session offers a strategic view of emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of payments worldwide.
Moderator: Ghita Erling
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Panellist: Jan Pilbauer
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Panellist: Dr Leo Lipis
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10:15 AM
10:15 AM to 11:00 AM
Networking break
11:00 AM
11:00 AM to 11:40 AM
Scaling Smart: How banks can harness technology to thrive in the era of exploding payment volumes
Overview: As payment systems modernise, banks face surging transaction volumes. This session explores how leveraging advanced technologies like AI, cloud computing, and automation can help banks scale efficiently, ensure resilience, and deliver real-time, seamless payment experiences in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Speaker: Anton van Zyl
11:00 AM
11:00 AM to 11:40 AM
Beyond cash: Non-banks and the shift toward digital payments
Overview: As digital payments rise, non-banks play a vital role in reducing cash reliance. This session examines regulatory challenges, emerging opportunities, and how strategic partnerships between banks and non-banks can accelerate financial inclusion, innovation, and a seamless transition to a digitally-driven payments ecosystem.
Moderator: Lyle Horsley
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Panellist: Raadhika Sihin
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Panellist: Tim Masela
11:40 AM
11:40 AM to 11:50 AM
Moving break
11:50 AM
11:50 AM to 12:30 PM
Accelerating the future: Tackling the roadblocks to faster payments
Overview: What’s holding back faster payments? This session unpacks key barriers from legacy infrastructure to regulatory hurdles and how innovation, collaboration, and modernised systems can unlock the full potential of real-time payments for businesses and consumers alike.
Moderator: Maurits Pretorius
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Panellist: Jan Pilbauer
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Panellist: Dr Arif Ismail
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Panellist: Erna Solomon
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11:50 AM
11:50 AM to 12:30 PM
Entering the payments world: An outsider’s view on innovation and challenges
Overview: Hear firsthand stories from outsiders entering the payments industry and discover the challenges, surprises, and unique insights gained. This session offers fresh perspectives on navigating a complex ecosystem, adapting quickly, and driving innovation from beyond traditional payment backgrounds.
Moderator: Thami Moatshe
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Panellist: Kuben Naidoo
Panelist: Leo Lipis
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11:50 AM
11:50 AM to 12:30 PM
Access isn’t enough: How payments can power financial wellness
Overview: Beyond access, true financial inclusion means empowerment. This session explores how modern payment systems can drive holistic financial wellness enabling better saving, budgeting, credit access, and financial literacy. Discover how innovation in payments can support long-term resilience and economic well-being for individuals and communities.
Moderator: Richard Ketley
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Panelist: Jan Pilbauer
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Panelist: Leo Lipis
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12:30 PM
12:30 PM to 13:00 PM
Lunch
13:30 PM
13:30 PM to 14:10 PM
Planning for failure: Risk, recovery, and leadership in payment crisis
Overview: When disaster strikes, payment systems must endure. This session shares real-life case studies of crises that disrupted payments from cyberattacks to infrastructure failures and reveals how they were managed. Learn the lessons, response strategies, and safeguards now in place to ensure resilience in an increasingly unpredictable world.
Moderator: Naniki Ramabi
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Panellist: Nkateko Mabaso
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Panellist: Mavis Matlhwana
13:30 PM
13:30 PM to 15:00 PM
Money in motion: Exploring settlement and liquidity models worldwide
Overview: Discover how countries are rethinking settlement and liquidity to support faster, safer payments. This session explores global models, innovations, and best practices highlighting what’s working internationally and what opportunities exist for South Africa to enhance efficiency, resilience, and financial system stability.
Moderator: Vickey Ganesh
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Panellist: Jackie Brevis
Panelist: Leo Lipis
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13:30 PM
13:30 PM to 14:10 PM
Beyond the buzz: Real-world applications of AI in payments
Overview: Beyond the AI buzz, is real value being delivered in payments? This session delves into practical applications of AI in developing smarter, faster, and more secure payment systems. Learn from real-world case studies where AI addresses current challenges and drives meaningful innovation across the payments ecosystem.
Moderator: Richard Southey
Panellist: Lineshree Moodley
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Panellist: Lauren Breetzke
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Panellist: Nolwazi Hlophe
14:10 PM
14:10 PM to 14:20 PM
Moving break
14:20 PM
14:20 PM to 15:00 PM
From threat to response: Building a cyber-resilient payments ecosystem in SA
Overview: As cyber threats and financial crime escalate, are we doing enough as a payments ecosystem? This session examines emerging threats, evolving criminal tactics, and the collective response required highlighting gaps, innovations, and collaborative strategies to strengthen security, trust, and resilience across the financial landscape.
Moderator: Cosmore Pariola
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Panellist: Lukas van der Merwe
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Panellist: Kevin Hogan
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Panellist: Andrew Henwood
14:20 PM
14:20 PM to 15:00 PM
The Data Dividend: Unlocking new revenue streams through payments intelligence
Overview: Payments data is a powerful, untapped asset. This session takes a look at how financial institutions and fintechs can harness transaction data to unlock new revenue streams through personalised services, targeted offerings, and smarter decision-making while ensuring privacy, compliance, and customer trust in a data-driven payments landscape.
Moderator: Nadine Bham
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Panellist: Lee Naik
Panelist: Leo Lipis
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15:00 PM
15:00 PM to 15:45 PM
Networking break
15:45 PM
15:45 PM to 16:45 PM
Navigating the future of payments
Overview: Step into the future of payments where AI, digital currencies, embedded finance, and borderless transactions redefine how we pay and get paid. This session shines a light on emerging technologies, shifting consumer behaviours, and bold opportunities shaping a seamless, inclusive, and intelligent global payments landscape.
Speaker: Dr Marius Oosthuizen
Panelist: Leo Lipis
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17:00 PM
17:00 PM to 17:15 PM
Closing
Plenary Room
Electrum Breakaway room
Payfast by Network Breakaway Room
Master of Ceremonies
Master of Ceremonies: Nastassia Arendse
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Panelist: Leo Lipis
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08:30 AM
08:30 AM to 08:45 AM
Welcome and opening
08:45 AM
08:45 AM to 09:30 AM
The evolution of payments in South Africa: Adapting to a changing landscape
Overview: This session considers the country’s response to shifting technologies, regulatory demands, and customer expectations, highlighting local innovation, policy evolution, and strategic alignment with global developments to ensure a competitive and inclusive payment future.
Moderator: Ghita Erling
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Panellist: Stephen Linnell
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Panellist: Lincoln Mali
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Panellist: Pradeep Maharaj
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09:30 AM
09:30 AM to 10:15 AM
Building resilient payment networks: Which regional models will lead Africa's growth?
Overview: Which payment models can best drive Africa’s regional integration? This session examines low- and high-value use cases, lessons from past implementations, and what’s working. Explore scalable, inclusive payment models that can support trade, innovation, and economic growth across the continent.
Moderator: Brad Gillis
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Panellist: Vickey Ganesh
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Panellist: Olivier Lens
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Panellist: Miranda Perumal
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10:15 AM
10:15 AM to 11:00 AM
Networking break
11:00 AM
11:00 AM to 11:40 AM
Transforming payments with digital IDs: Are we making progress in South Africa?
Overview: Explore South Africa’s strategic vision for a modern, inclusive financial sector, with a focus on the Presidential Digital ID initiative. This session unpacks how Digital ID aims to enhance trust, drive access, and enable seamless digital financial services as a foundation for broader economic transformation.
Moderator: Dr Arif Ismail
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Panellist: Vukile Davidson
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Panellist: Gerhard Cronje
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11:00 AM
11:00 AM to 11:40 AM
Safeguarding against the rising threat: Are we closing the gaps in fraud prevention?
Overview: Authorised push payment fraud is rising are we doing enough to stop it? This session dives into root causes, high-impact intervention points, and whether the solution lies in smarter technology, stronger regulation, or greater collaboration. Break the cycle and uncover strategies to better protect consumers and the payments ecosystem.
Moderator: Naniki Ramabi
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Panellist: Dr Kimmo Soramäki
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Panellist: Megan Brown
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11:00 AM
11:00 AM to 11:40 AM
Charting the strategic role of non-banks in building a next-generation payment ecosystem
Overview: As financial ecosystems rapidly evolve, non-bank players fintechs, payment providers, big tech, and others are taking on a transformative role. This session explores how they drive innovation, expand access, and reshape traditional models. We’ll examine their strategic value, emerging partnerships, and the shifts needed to support a more inclusive, agile financial ecosystem.
Speaker: Mpho Sadiki
11:40 AM
11:40 AM to 11:50 AM
Moving break
11:50 AM
11:50 AM to 12:30 PM
Breaking borders: Scaling South African startups for global impact
Overview: What does it take to scale a South African startup globally? This session shares inspiring success stories from payments entrepreneurs, highlighting the challenges, breakthroughs, and resilience behind their journeys. Gain insights into navigating global markets, building from the ground up, and turning local innovation into global impact.
Interviewee: Steven Kark
Interviewee: Dewald Nolte
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11:50 AM
11:50 AM to 12:30 PM
Global lessons in sanction screening: What we’ve learned and what’s next
Overview: Explore global lessons in sanction screening - navigating practical challenges and uncovering new opportunities. This session reviews the latest updates to Recommendation 16, their impact on compliance, and how South Africa can adapt to enhance financial security while maintaining smooth, lawful cross-border payments.
Moderator: Ingrid Goodspeed
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Panellist: Shanice Gounden
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Panellist: Christopher Malan
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Panellist: Andisha Rambajan
11:50 AM
11:50 AM to 12:30 PM
People power: Building teams for tomorrow’s payment ecosystem
Overview: As the payments ecosystem evolves, building human capacity is critical. This session delves into the challenges of attracting and retaining skilled talent, the impact of digital transformation on workforce demands, and strategies to develop a future-ready payments workforce through education, upskilling, and industry collaboration.
Interviewer: Chipo Mushwana
Interviewee: Eleanor Cartwright
12:30 PM
12:30 PM to 13:30 PM
Lunch
13:30 PM
13:30 PM to 14:10 PM
Powering payments through collaboration: The role of public-private partnerships
Overview: Explore how effective public-private partnerships strengthen payment systems, drive innovation, and promote financial inclusion. This session highlights collaborative strategies that leverage shared resources and expertise to build resilient, accessible, and future-ready payments ecosystems benefiting all stakeholders.
Speaker: Pradeep Maharaj
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13:30 PM
13:30 PM to 14:10 PM
Faster payments and digital identity: A match made for the future of finance?
Overview: Is Digital Identity the key to faster payment adoption? This session examines international experiences, successes, and challenges exploring whether robust digital ID systems can drive everyday use of faster payments and what lessons South Africa can apply to accelerate its own payment transformation.
13:30 PM
13:30 PM to 14:10 PM
Beyond barriers: How fintechs are shaping financial inclusion for the next generation
Overview: Fintechs are vital in creating inclusive payment systems and products. This session explores their role in driving financial inclusion, the importance of strong partnerships with traditional players, and strategies to overcome collaboration challenges unlocking innovation and expanding access to underserved communities.
Moderator: Lesego Chauke-Motshwane
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Panellist: Katlego Maphai
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Panellist: Wiza Jalakazi
14:10 PM
14:10 PM to 14:20 PM
Moving break
14:20 PM
14:20 PM to 15:00 PM
Shaping an industry: Leveraging large-scale change for industry innovation
Overview: Discover how large-scale change techniques can transform an entire industry. This session shares reflections and lessons from a journey of collaboration, highlighting strategies to overcome resistance, align stakeholders, and drive collective progress for a more innovative and resilient payments ecosystem.
Speaker: Maurits Pretorius
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Panelist: Jan Pilbauer
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Panelist: Leo Lipis
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14:20 PM
14:20 PM to 15:00 PM
Interoperability in payments: Why standards matter now and for the next wave of innovation
Overview: Discover how payment standards drive interoperability today and shape the future. This session debates whether South Africa has achieved true interoperability that supports financial inclusion and evolving consumer needs, weighing the benefits, challenges, and opportunities for creating a seamless, inclusive payments ecosystem.
Moderator: Aldo Laubscher
Panellist: Rahul Jain
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Panellist: Sean Mouton
14:20 PM
14:20 PM to 15:00 PM
Bridging gaps in the Kasi economy: How financial inclusion can empower communities
Overview: This session examines whether current payment initiatives truly support the KASI economy and advance financial inclusion. Explore successes, gaps, and opportunities to better empower township businesses and underserved communities through tailored, accessible payment solutions that drive sustainable economic growth.
Moderator: Lesego Chauke-Motshwane
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Panellist: Stasha Battye
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Panellist: Busi Radebe
15:00 PM
15:00 PM to 15:45 PM
Network break
15:45 PM
15:45 PM to 16:45 PM
Where tech meets tactics: Navigating the next wave of industry transformation
Overview: Explore lessons from Big Tech shaping payments globally super apps, embedded finance, and the rise of digital identity. This session reveals how these trends impact Africa’s payments landscape, driving innovation, security, and inclusion in the evolving era of open banking.
Speaker: Prof Herman Singh
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Panelist: Jan Pilbauer
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Panelist: Leo Lipis
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16:45 PM
16:45 PM to 17:00 PM
Closing
* Updates to this programme are still ongoing. Please check back regularly to stay informed.
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