
Tavonga M.
Chief Operating Officer

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About me
Managing Director at Xavier Africa
Education

Udacity
2022 - 2023AI Product Manager Computer Science Distinction
University of Johannesburg
2023 - 2025Doctor of Philosophy - PhD Digital Transformation, Specialising in Implementation of Deep Neural Networks (AI)
Sheffield Hallam University
2016 - 2019International Finance and Banking Banking and Financial Support Services First class (Summa Cum Laude)Activities and Societies: Banking and Finance Society - Class of 2019 Valedictorian- Best Student International Finance & Banking- International Student Prize Recipient- President of the Banking and Finance society; overseeing all activities and events organization.- Student of the Year in all 3 years in University

Sheffield Hallam University
2020 - 2022Executive MBA Business Administration and Management, General Distinction
Experience

Scalable Holdings
Aug 2016 - Jun 2018Chief Operating OfficerI was in charge of the long term strategy, implementation and portfolio management of start-up Scalable Holdings which aimed at cutting down the barriers between Batswana and the Financial services industry through innovative technological solutions!. Furthermore, I was responsible for designing the frameworks and back end systems for their flagship application Whichbank reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

Maitswe Technologies
May 2017 - Jul 2018Head Of Business Development• Marketing • Accounting • Pitch creation • Application development management • Strategy creation and implementation • Client Relations

Xavier Africa
Sept 2018 - nowManaging DirectorOver half a decade at the helm of Xavier Africa, I've been privileged to lead a team of AI pioneers dedicated to crafting transformative solutions tailored for Africa's dynamic business ecosystem. In this journey:1. We have revolutionized sectors with AI models, harnessing the power of machine learning and convolutional neural networks to deliver bespoke, sustainable solutions for longstanding industry challenges.2. I've championed a culture that thrives on collaboration and innovation, cultivating an environment where our diverse team consistently pushes boundaries, ensuring Xavier Africa remains an industry benchmark.3. My strategic oversight has been pivotal in optimizing our end-to-end product development pipeline, ensuring efficiency, scalability, and high impact for our partners across Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria. Show less

Fintech Association of Botswana
Aug 2021 - nowAs the President of the Fintech Association of Botswana, I am committed to steering the fintech ecosystem toward innovation, inclusivity, and regulatory excellence. Leveraging my background in AI, digital transformation, and finance, my role encompasses:1. Strategic Leadership: Formulating and executing long-term strategies to position Botswana as a leading fintech hub in the African landscape.2. Stakeholder Engagement: Fostering collaborations between regulators, fintech companies, and financial institutions to drive symbiotic growth and ensure a compliant, robust fintech ecosystem.3. Policy Advocacy: Actively liaising with governmental bodies to shape policies that encourage innovation while safeguarding consumer interests.4. Knowledge Sharing: Initiating and presiding over seminars, webinars, and think tanks aimed at skill enhancement and knowledge dissemination within the fintech community.5. Market Research: Overseeing comprehensive studies to identify gaps and opportunities in the fintech market, leading to targeted interventions.6. Mentorship: Providing advisory support to emerging fintech startups, aiding in their operational and financial planning. Show less
President
Sept 2023 - nowBoard Member
Aug 2021 - Sept 2023

Africa Fintech Network
Dec 2023 - nowBoard MemberAs a member of the Board of Directors for the Africa Fintech Network, specifically serving on the Projects Committee, my role is to steer the strategic direction of fintech innovation and infrastructure development across the continent. This involves:1. Strategic Leadership: Providing visionary leadership and oversight for project selection and management, ensuring alignment with the network's objectives to foster financial inclusion and innovation.2. Policy Development: Collaborating in the formulation of policies that guide fintech development, emphasizing sustainable growth, ethical considerations, and regulatory compliance.3. Project Oversight: Leading the evaluation, selection, and management of key projects. This includes ensuring projects are executed efficiently, meet strategic objectives, and deliver value to stakeholders across the African fintech ecosystem.4. Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, including governments, financial institutions, technology providers, and entrepreneurs, to foster partnerships that enhance fintech innovation and accessibility.5. Advocacy: Actively advocating for fintech policies and initiatives that support innovation, risk management, and digital transformation across Africa.6. Research and Insights: Leveraging my expertise in AI and digital transformation to provide insights that drive the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in fintech solutions. Show less

Botswana Accountancy College
Dec 2023 - nowBoard MemberIn my new capacity on the Botswana Accountancy College (BAC) Board of Directors, I will serve on the Academic Oversight Committee in addition to my responsibilities on the main board. This dual role is designed to ensure the college's academic programs not only meet the highest standards of excellence but also remain at the cutting edge of digital and entrepreneurial education.Within the Academic Oversight Committee, my focus will be on evaluating and enhancing the curriculum to ensure it aligns with the latest industry trends, technological advancements, and the evolving needs of the global job market. This includes integrating practical AI and digital transformation concepts that prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.On the main board, my role will expand to encompass strategic decision-making, contributing to the broader vision and direction of BAC. Here, I'll leverage my experience in AI development, fintech innovation, and my extensive network within the tech and financial sectors to foster partnerships, drive technological integration, and support the college's mission to produce world-class professionals and entrepreneurs.These roles represent a commitment to bridging the gap between academic rigor and the practical demands of the contemporary digital economy, ensuring that BAC continues to be a leader in cultivating the next generation of innovative thinkers and leaders. Show less

International Digital Economies Association iDEA
Dec 2024 - nowCommittee Chair- Lead the Tech & Products Committee, setting strategic direction and overseeing the development and implementation of technology-driven projects across more than 70 countries, representing over 80% of the world's population. - Collaborate with global leaders and stakeholders to identify opportunities for digital transformation and innovation that promote sustainable economic growth.- Spearhead the design and execution of scalable technology solutions that address the unique challenges of diverse populations.- Foster a culture of innovation within the committee, encouraging the exchange of ideas and best practices to drive continuous improvement and impact.- Represent the committee in international forums and discussions, advocating for inclusive technology policies and practices that benefit the global majority. Show less
Licenses & Certifications

Mckinsey Forward Program
McKinsey & CompanyJun 2022- View certificate

Digital Transformation Specialist Certifications
University of Virginia Darden School of BusinessOct 2021
Honors & Awards
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Forbes 30U30 Africa Pitch Battle Forbes May 2023 Won the Forbes30U30 pitch battle representing Xavier Africa in the deep tech category.
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Best Student International Finance and Banking Sheffield Hallam University Dec 2019 Best student in international finance and banking for the class of 2019.
- Awarded to Tavonga M.International Student Prize Sheffield Hallam University Dec 2019 This is an award given to the best student in all the Sheffield Hallam University franchise courses around the world.
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Valedictorian Sheffield Hallam University Dec 2019 Valedictorian for the BAC Class of 2019!
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Student of the Year Sheffield Hallam University Apr 2018 Awarded Student of the year award by program leader Banking and Finance Sean Kemp from Sheffield Hallam.
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Student of the Year Sheffield Hallam University Apr 2017
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Position 1 Business Studies Legae Academy Feb 2016 First position in Business studies with an average of 91.2% in the 2015/15 academic year.
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Position 2 Development Studies Legae Academy Feb 2016 Second position in development studies with an average of 89.6% for the 2015/16 academic year.
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Yale Young African Scholar Yale University Aug 2015 Became one of 50/2300 African youngsters to be selected for the Yale Young African Scholars programme ( an initiative by Yale university to find upcoming leaders in Africa).
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Position one Development Studies Legae Academy Feb 2015 First place in Development studies with an average in 93.5% in the 2014/15 academic year.
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Position 1 Finance and Investment Senior school competition Botswana Stock Exchange Nov 2014 Team leader of the team that won the national finance and investment competition hosted by the Botswana Stock exchange, winning P2500 in share vouchers in the process
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Position 1 Ombudsman Debate tornament Office of the Ombudsman Botswana Oct 2014 I was part of the school debate team that won first place at the office of the ombudsman debates in 2014.
- Awarded to Tavonga M.First position public speaking Legae Academy Sep 2014 Attained first place for public speaking having addressed the school on "Self retrospection and acceptance of responsibility" at the Legae Academy talent show.
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Position 2 Business Economics Legae Academy Feb 2014 Position 2 in business economics in the 2013-14 academic year with an average of 93.27.
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Position 1 public speaking, position 1 Drama Legae Academy Sep 2013 First place in the junior category for public speaking,as well as drama at the Legae Academy talent show in 2013
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Position 2 Literature Legae Academy Feb 2013 Position 2/134 in Literature with an average of 91.2% for the 2012-13 academic year.
- Awarded to Tavonga M.Position 2 public speaking Legae Academy Sep 2012 The award was attained at the Legae Academy talent show in 2012.
Volunteer Experience
Chairman
Issued by MASA AIDS club on Mar 2012
Associated with Tavonga M.
Languages
- enEnglish
- shShona
- seSetswana
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