Johannesburg,South Africa

Lesaka Technologies,a South African Fintech company has announced new changes on its executive team by appointing Naeem Kola and Dan Smith to new executive roles which are effective on 1 October 2024.

The company said these changes represent a significant step forward as Lesaka positions itself as a natural consolidator and leading fintech in Southern Africa.

According to statement,Naeem Kola,currently Group Chief Financial Officer,will be appointed as Group Chief Operating Officer.Naeem is exceptionally well placed to drive strategic and operational synergies for the group with his extensive financial and operational experience in international fintech,and his understanding of Lesaka's transformation through his role as Group Chief Financial Officer of Lesaka since March 2022.

The new Group Chief Financial Officer(GCFO) will come with extensive experience which will be useful for Lesaka Technologies as he worked in different sectors of the economy.

The company said Dan Smith will be appointed as Group Chief Financial Officer.Dan will also join the Company's Board.Dan is a Chartered Accountant(South Africa),having qualified with PricewaterhouseCoopers South Africa,before moving into various roles in the financial services sectors in South Africa and the United Kingdom.He is currently an Investment Director at Value Capital Partners(Pty) Ltd,Lesaka's largest shareholder,and has played an active role in the development of Lesaka since 2021.Dan has over 25 years of corporate finance experience,including heading the Mergers & Acquisitions investment banking team at Standard Bank South Africa.

Both appointees will report directly to Lesaka's Executive Chairman,Ali Mazanderani.

"I am delighted to welcome Dan to the Lesaka leadership team.As Lesaka scales,we will continue to augment our executive capability to deliver on the opportunity in front of us.Dan is an exceptional addition to the team and has been intimately involved in the transformation of the business over the last few years.I am excited to be working with both him and Naeem in their new roles,"said Ali Mazanderani,Lesaka Executive Chairman.

The company also announced changes on its Board as some its members are leaving as from 01 October 2024.

"I would like to thank Javed,Chris and Monde for the roles they have played over the past few years during a period of significant change.I also welcome Dean to the Board.His insights and experience,as a successful entrepreneur and investor with deep fintech experience in Southern Africa,will be invaluable as we continue to build Southern Africa's leading fintech platform,"added Mazanderani.