Winners Announced for the South African FinTech Awards 2025

The South African FinTech Awards 2025 showcased the brightest innovators and leaders shaping the future of financial technology across the continent. Presented as a highlight event for the fintech community, the awards recognized companies and individuals who have made significant strides in driving financial inclusion, regulatory compliance, payment innovations, and sustainable finance.

Celebrated the South African FinTech Awards 2025 Winners Across Diverse Categories

The awards ceremony unveiled a stellar lineup of winners whose contributions have set new benchmarks in fintech innovation:

• Best FinTech Startup: Franc (https://franc.co.za) was lauded for its groundbreaking approach to making financial services more accessible to previously underserved markets. Their solutions have helped simplify complex fintech processes with user-friendly platforms designed for scalability.

• Best RegTech Award: Smile ID (https://smileid.com) earned accolades for delivering cutting-edge regulatory technology solutions that enhance secure identity verification, enabling institutions to adhere to stringent compliance requirements seamlessly.

• Cryptocurrency Innovation: Money Badger (https://www.moneybadger.co.za/) took the spotlight for its innovative approach to cryptocurrency spending and wallet management, providing users with reliable and secure access to paying with digital assets.

• Excellence in Payments: Kazang (https://kazang.com) was celebrated for revolutionizing payments infrastructure, facilitating real-time transactions across diverse digital and physical channels that empower both consumers and businesses.

• Enhancing Financial Inclusion: The UCT Financial Innovation Hub, in partnership with the Interledger Foundation (https://finhub.uct.ac.za; https://interledger.org), was recognized for advancing open payment protocols that bridge financial services to marginalized communities, promoting economic participation and upliftment.

• Green Finance Award: Nav >> Earth (https://www.fnb.co.za/ways-to-bank/digital/nav/earth/), a pioneer in sustainable finance, was honored for incorporating environmental considerations into investment products and financial services, reflecting the growing importance of eco-conscious fintech solutions.

• FinTech Innovation of the Year: Lula (https://lula.co.za), with its AI-driven SME lending platform, demonstrated how technology can break down traditional barriers to credit access for small and medium enterprises, fueling business growth and economic resilience.

• Collaboration of 2024: Bizcash, KingPrice Life Insurance, and Old Mutual (https://bizcash.co.za; https://kingprice.co.za; https://oldmutual.co.za) received recognition for their strategic alliance that enhances financing and insurance integration, delivering comprehensive solutions to clients and advancing ecosystem cooperation.

Individual Excellence and Lifetime Achievement

Koshiek Karan earned dual accolades as Financial Literacy Champion and Emerging Thought Leader of the Year for his tireless work promoting education and awareness in fintech. Rahul Jain was celebrated as the Fintech Entrepreneur of 2024, reflecting his visionary leadership and impact-driven initiatives. The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Coen Jonker, whose contributions have played a seminal role in building South Africa’s fintech landscape over several decades.

Acknowledging Our Sponsors

This landmark event was made possible by the unwavering support of sponsors deeply invested in the fintech sector’s growth and success. Their commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity bolsters the ecosystem’s continued expansion and impact.

A thank you to Vodacom Business as our Headline Sponsor as well as BDO and Royal Park Partners as our Gold Sponsors, supported by Range Rover, Peach Payments, Investec, Adumo, TransUnion, Liquid C2, Tether, Everest Wealth, Optasia, PAPPS, PayInc, PASA Academy and Arrel

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for FinTech

The South African FinTech Awards 2025 not only celebrate the achievements of today but also cast a spotlight on the transformative potential of fintech innovation in Africa’s economic future. With these inspiring winners leading the way, 2026 promises to be a year of accelerated growth, deeper financial inclusion, and sustainable solutions that benefit all South Africans.

Planning Ahead for 2026: Sponsorship Opportunities

We are already gearing up for the South African FinTech Awards 2026, building on this year's momentum to elevate Africa's fintech ecosystem further. Sponsorship packages offer exceptional visibility, thought leadership slots, networking with regulators and innovators, and branding across the 2026 event. Companies interested in sponsoring should reach out to Danielle du Toit at danielle@finasa.org.za to discuss tailored opportunities and secure their place in shaping the future of fintech.