Name: Ahenda Anjichi
Position: Regional Counsel (East Africa) – JumiaPay
Company: JumiaPay

Sector (financial, govt, energy etc): Financial Services

Worked in the current position for: 8 months, though it feels more like two years. ????

Years in-house: 10 years cutting across banking and Fintech.

An overview of my role is: My role requires me to learn about new technologies and explain those technologies in concise and accessible ways to regulators and on the other hand, provide specialist legal advice to the business, focusing on payments and fintech regulation in Kenya and Uganda.

The best thing about my current job is:

It is equal measure exciting & challenging!

I learn every single day that the spectrum of Fintech continues to push the limits of what we think is possible. I am continuously challenged by my colleagues from the business and commercial teams to expand my thinking and confront multifaceted legal issues with a “legal should not hinder business” mindset.

Fintech is fast – paced and requires quick and innovative problem solving and in my current role, this has continually grown my mindset and appreciation of the convergence of Fintech and the law.

The most challenging thing about my current job is: Balancing the cautious pace of regulation against the business needs of expansion and growth in a world with constantly evolving trends.

My most pivotal career move: Switching from banking into Fintech

What advice would you give your younger self?

Two things: Trust the process and learn the lesson!

Do not be swayed by societal pressures and comparing your journey with others. You will get to where you need to be – keep trusting yourself and remember that no experience is lost – there is growth in every experience, whether it elevates or humbles you.

Learn the lessons you need to learn and always, trust the process.

The key influencers that have shaped my journey?

There are many, but I will share two from my personal and professional life.

The first is my mother, Eva Anjichi. She taught me the most important lesson in my life so far: whatever you do, however you live your life, it best be in a way that resonates with your soul and gives you peace.

The second is Rose Muturi, who is the current Managing Director, East Africa at Branch International (Kenya). I worked with Rose at my first role in Fintech, at Tala and she taught me to take a seat at the table.

My favourite pro bono or volunteer activity is:

Giving back to less fortunate children. Spending time with children is always refreshing (when they’re not testing your patience as they often do!)

This quote from Paulo Coelho is one of my favourites: “A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.”

If I were not practising law, I would probably be: A writer! I dabbled in poetry and fiction during ‘my younger years’

What (singular) achievement are you most proud of? 

There is a viral photograph of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s daughter looking proudly on as she speaks during her senate confirmation hearings. As a full-time working parent, that photograph has resonated deeply with me.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson spoke of being a parent in her opening statement during the senate confirmation hearings and acknowledged that she did not always get the balance right. She said she hoped her daughters will learn that you don’t have to be perfect to accomplish what you want in life — as parents or as full-time professionals.

I am proud of my career growth thus far and I am determined to keep growing mindful that I am my daughter’s first role model. I hope that, through my growth, she can learn to embrace the different phases of her life and learn not to limit herself due to societal pressures or self-limiting beliefs.

What’s something you love doing that you’re terrible at? Writing-I have not done much of it in the past few years. However, I made a promise to myself to write at some point in my life.

What’s something you really do not like doing that you’re great at? Probably cooking