Thandiwe Yeza

South African fintech innovator democratizing access to education through blockchain technology

Thandiwe Yeza is the CEO and founder of TechFinancials, a South African fintech startup that uses blockchain technology to provide affordable education financing solutions. Launching in 2021 during the pandemic, her platform has enabled over 15,000 students from underserved communities to access tertiary education through micropayment systems. A computer science graduate from the University of Cape Town, Yeza's innovation addresses the critical issue of education debt in Africa - where 70% of students drop out due to financial constraints. Her system allows students to pay tuition fees in small installments using mobile money, with blockchain ensuring transparent record-keeping. In 2023, TechFinancials partnered with the South African government to integrate their platform into 200 public schools, creating pathways for vocational training. Yeza's work has been featured in World Economic Forum reports and she was named Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30 in 2022. She also founded Girls in Blockchain, a mentorship program training young women in decentralized finance technologies. Thandiwe's vision extends beyond education - her upcoming project 'EduChain' aims to create a continent-wide blockchain network for credential recognition, breaking down barriers for cross-border academic mobility. By 2025, her initiatives could impact over 500,000 students annually, according to UNESCO Africa projections.