Zoona to spread across Africa

By HELEN ZULU
ZOONA, a money transfer company has targeted to expand to about 10 other African markets by 2020.
The firm plans to enter into Mozambique, the Democratic of Congo (DRC) Ghana among others in the next coming months.
Company chief communications officer Lelemba Phiri said Zoona wanted to scale up its operations
in 2016 and beyond with the aim to enter a number of new markets in. Ms Phiri said in an interview in Lusaka at the weekend.
“Zoona is gearing up for fast scaling in 2016 and beyond. The mobile money service provider, with operations in Zambia and Malawi, plans to be in 10  African markets by 2020.
“In order to prepare for the next stage of its expansion and scaling, the company has made a number of high profile appointments to its executive team,” she said.
Ms Phiri said the company had appointed former co-founder and chief executive officer of Hello Doctor Andrew Milne as its chief operating officer, saying his experience would help Zoona enter number of new markets in the coming months and years.
“I have seen first-hand the impact that Zoona has brought, particularly in terms of growing female entrepreneurship and in powering the Girl Effect in Zambia and Malawi.
“We are looking forward to growing this impact in more countries over the next few years and partnering with governments and other institutions to make this happen,” she said.
Mr Milne said technology had incredible potential to bring financial inclusion in Africa.
He said Zoona’s model of investing in and working with emerging entrepreneurs had proven results and impact in Zambia and Malawi and was now ready to be tested in other places in the continent.
Zoona has recorded unprecedented growth achieving  80 per cent year-on-year growth since 2009.
The company has 1,500 locations in Zambia and Malawi and an active consumer base of 1.5 million people.