Stephen Mwaura is a distinguished international consultant with over 25 years of expertise in digital financial services, payment systems, central banking practices, and regulatory frameworks. He serves as a key member of the Flywheel Advisory Africa Advisory Board, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the firm.

Stephen is the Founder and Chairman of the Fintech Institute, a Nairobi-based consultancy firm specializing in capacity building and digital financial services. His firm plays a crucial role in advancing financial technology across the region, reflecting Stephen’s deep commitment to innovation and development in the fintech space.

Prior to his consultancy career, Stephen held a prominent position as the Head of the National Payments System division at the Central Bank of Kenya. In this role, he led the modernization of Kenya’s payment systems and was instrumental in pioneering mobile financial services, including the globally recognized M-Pesa platform by Safaricom.

His career also includes a significant tenure as Director of the Private Sector Division at The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA). There, he contributed to policy research aimed at creating enabling legal and regulatory frameworks for business.

Stephen’s extensive experience includes collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders in the digital financial sector, such as central banks, commercial banks, telecommunications firms, payment service providers, fintechs, development partners, and government departments. Regionally, he has contributed to harmonizing initiatives within the East African Community (EAC) and COMESA. On the international stage, Stephen is a renowned speaker and contributor at forums hosted by the World Bank, International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI). He also chairs the Fintech series for Central Banking Publications, organizing influential events in financial centres including London, Brussels, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Abu Dhabi, and Cape Town.

Stephen holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Fletcher School of Tufts University, a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, and an LLB from the University of Nairobi. He also earned an MBA in Finance and International Business from Syracuse University, USA. Known for his excellent research capabilities, Stephen is frequently sought for peer review assignments and book reviews within the industry.