A Trusted Financial Services Provider In Africa
Izwe is an established, licenced pan-African FSP with a 15-year track-record in emerging markets. We were originally positioned as a salary-backed lender to the formally employed, underbanked market, and more recently also as a provider of secured loans to SMEs across all regions, and savings in Ghana.
We service a range of economically-active customers with purpose-based loans, savings and investment solutions.
Financial Solutions For Positive Change
Izwe has built a solid reputation as a provider of choice for short-term secured and unsecured loans, savings and investment solutions. Our unwavering promise is built on the principles of accessibility and efficiency.
Our innovative service delivery systems and customer-centric financial solutions create real competition for traditional banking corporations.
We create efficient financial
services for private individuals and small businesses.
We provide safe, high-yielding savings and investment solutions to help customers grow their money.
Our Leadership Team
Willie van Zyl
B.Com, MBL
Group Chief Executive Officer
Willie van Zyl
Group Chief Executive Officer
Master of Business Leadership, Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Strategic Leadership, Bachelor of Commerce in Law
Willie joined Izwe Africa Group in 2021. An experienced C-Suite Executive, he previously held numerous positions within the Absa Group, where he successfully steered the Group through the complex Barclays Separation Programme. Willie has deep insights into Corporate Strategy, Strategic Change, Financial Services, Credit & Risk, Card & Payments, as well as Retail Banking.
He boasts a proven track record in building and scaling sustainable businesses, establishing accelerated growth, driving successful strategy transformations, and building high-performance teams. True to his entrepreneurial spirit, Willie also co-founded ExiPay, an international payments company under the Izwe umbrella, of which he is currently Chairperson.
Corporate Governance / Management and Leadership / Legal Compliance and Regulatory / Business Development / Marketing and Sales / Finance, Economics and Investment / Business Process Engineering / ICT and Systems Engineering / Policy development / Transformation and Socio-Economic Dev. / Risk Management / Stakeholder Relations / Auditing and Accounting / Infrastructure and Logistics / Project Management / Operations Management / Human Capital Management / Strategy and Planning / Procurement and supply-chain management
Eugene du Plessis
B.Com, ACI
Chief Investment
Officer
Eugene du Plessis
Chief Investment Officer
Master of Commerce in Financial Management, Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Financial Management, Bachelor of Commerce Marketing in Management and Risk Management
Eugene started his career at Izwe Africa Group in 2015, as Group Treasurer. Previously, he also held this position at Aveng Construction Group headquartered in Johannesburg. His 26-year professional career includes experience in MFI, as well as in the Construction and Merchant Banking industry.
Eugene has extensive international experience, having led financial transactions in countries such as Australia, Botswana, Chile, Dubai, Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. His achievements include the arrangement of various international debt placements on behalf of both governments and corporates, with expert knowledge of both interest- and exchange-rate management.
Management and Leadership / Business Development / Finance, Economics and Investment / Stakeholder Relations / Human Capital Management / Strategy and Planning
Michael de Klerk
B.Com, CIMA, CA(SA)
Chief Financial
Officer
Michael de Klerk
Chief Financial & Risk Officer
Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Accounting, Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Financial Management
Michael joined Izwe Africa Group in 2019. A chartered accountant with 23 years of experience, he completed his accounting training within the Firstrand Banking Group and held the position of Chief Financial Officer of FNB Retail.
Subsequently, Michael further expanded his experience into credit scorecard development and optimisation. He has a strong strategic focus and has successfully spearheaded business turnarounds and new product and channel developments.
Michael currently holds the position of Chief Financial Officer and is additionally responsible for the Group’s credit function. He also actively serves as a director on the boards of selected private companies.
Corporate Governance / Management and Leadership / Legal Compliance and Regulatory / Finance, Economics and Investment / Risk Management / Auditing and Accounting / Strategy and Planning
Chantel Senatore
B.Com, CA (SA)
Chief Operating
Officer
Chantel Senatore
Chief Operating Officer
Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Financial Accounting
Chantel joined Izwe Africa Group in 2012 as Head of Joint Ventures. Her 19-year professional career includes time in both the Financial Services and Audit industries. Before joining Izwe, she spent several years in audit at one of the large audit practices both in South Africa and the USA.
Since joining, Chantel has held various positions within the company including Finance, Operations, Data & Analytics, IT, and Credit, finally settling into her current COO role. Her main strengths are in project execution, data analytical review, and process re-engineering, with her financial background enabling her to successfully bridge the gap between Operations and Finance.
Chantel completed her studies at the University of Witwatersrand, where she received the Top Student Honours prize in Financial Accounting. She was also invited to be part of the Golden Key organisation and is fluent in several languages.
Management and Leadership / ICT and Systems Engineering / Transformation and Socio-Economic Dev. / Infrastructure and Logistics / Project Management / Operations Management / Strategy and Planning
Dave Fichardt
B.Com, CA (SA)
Chief Executive: Consumer Solutions
David Fichardt
Chief Executive: Consumer Solutions
Chartered Accountant (SA)
David joined Izwe Africa Group in 2008 as Group Financial Manager. In 2011, he relocated to Accra, Ghana, in an Executive capacity to direct the Group’s non-South African operations.
He started his professional career at Ernst & Young in South Africa and the Netherlands, managing the audits of four large listed companies including Edcon, Tiger Brands, Hitachi Europe, and The Coca-Cola Company.
David has been a member of Izwe’s Group Executive Committee since 2014 and is an Executive Director on various boards within the Group.
Management and Leadership / Business Development / Marketing and Sales / Finance, Economics and Investment / Business Process Engineering / ICT and Systems Engineering / Strategy and Planning
Kulusu Chisola
BA, MBA
Chief Executive Officer: Zambia
Kulusu Chisola
Chief Executive Officer, Izwe Zambia
Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Accounting
Kulusu started his career at Izwe Africa Group in 2021 as Chief Operating Officer of Izwe Zambia. Prior to this, he held Executive, Country, and Regional Cluster positions at Ecobank Zambia and Finca International. His 17-year professional career in Financial Services started in 2006 at CitiBank Zambia.
Kulusu is credited with being part of the Executive Team that set up Ecobank in Zambia and successfully led the business to break-even while leading the affiliate’s Operations and Technology function. Under Kulusu’s leadership as Chief Operating Officer of Finca International Zambia, the business recorded its most significant turnaround with a vast reduction in impairments and rapid growth in the credit portfolio, as part of a Business Re-engineering Strategy.
Kulusu boasts proven change-management skills, honed over several years in leadership positions in both Operational and Commercial Functions.
Management and Leadership / Business Development / Marketing and Sales / Business Process Engineering / Risk Management / Auditing and Accounting / Infrastructure and Logistics / Project Management / Operations Management / Strategy and Planning
Raymond Bismarck
Diploma, MBA
Chief Executive Officer: Ghana
Raymond Bismarck
Chief Executive Officer, Izwe Ghana
Master of Business Administration in Finance and Risk
Raymond started as Chief Executive Officer of Izwe Savings & Loans Plc over a decade ago. His career in the Ghanaian banking sector spans 21 years, with a wealth of expertise in Institution Building and Business Development.
Raymond started his professional journey at a reputable Savings & Loans Company in Ghana, where he focused on developing products and services tailored to the financial needs of private individuals, as well as small and medium businesses. He was also part of a core leadership team that successfully established a highly-regarded Financial Institution in Ghana.
During his time at Izwe, Raymond has championed the transformation of the company from a Finance House to a credible, widely-known Savings & Loans Company. His initiatives, strategies, and exceptional leadership skills saw Izwe evolve into one of the Top 3 Lenders in Ghana today. Raymond is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Business Administration.
Management and Leadership / Business Development / Marketing and Sales / Finance, Economics and Investment / Business Process Engineering / Policy development / Transformation and Socio-Economic Dev. / Infrastructure and Logistics / Project Management / Operations Management / Human Capital Management / Strategy and Planning / Procurement and supply-chain management
Financial Solutions That Make A Difference
We believe strongly in financial inclusion, enabling easy access to life-changing offerings that solve our customer’s problems and help them to better their lives.
We are a dedicated, trusted guide for customers as they work toward a brighter financial future. We are committed to a collaborative, consultative approach – listening before we advise and providing the right help at the right time.
Responsible Lending
Our mandate is to promote access to finance for SMEs and households. Therefore it is imperative for us to have the necessary policies and procedures to maintain high social performance standards and target social returns along with financial gains.
By weaving responsible lending principles into every level of our business, we ensure that we have a solid foundation on which to build strong, lasting relationships, increase customer retention
and reduce financial risk.
We ensure customer protection by applying a well-defined risk matrix with scorecards, supported by well-informed practices and certifications. This prevents customers from borrowing more than they can afford to repay, or using products they do not need.
Good Governance
Izwe Africa Group has adopted a Group-wide policy that adheres to International Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, as well as the IFC (International Finance Corporation) exclusion list.
Investor Relations
Our investment criteria and due diligence processes are contributing to a healthier, more customer-focused industry that will encourage stronger investment portfolios and strengthen financial returns.