If you’re in Zimbabwe you know how crazy the past several months have been financially.
Essentially, not enough cash to withdraw from the banks; A new currency called Bond Notes was introduced, which slowed down but didn’t solve the liquidity problem; Zimbabwe issued bank cards not working outside Zimbabwe anymore; not all local merchants accept cards or mobile money; some merchants are withdrawing certain services which they source outside because they can’t settle the payments in Bond Notes.
It’s crazy. Some of these problems can be solved by technology. To an extent at least. The Computer Society of Zimbabwe – an association of IT professionals in Zimbabwe has organised an event to discuss some of these solutions and if you’re in tech (or just in business really) you will benefit from attending.
Speakers are:
- George Nachamba (the MD of Fincheck. He’s a CA, consultant, & author)
- Tongai Choto (he’s a developer and Bitcoin (& Blockchain) entrepreneur working at BitMari)
- Tawanda Kembo (he’s a Bitcoin enthusiast, developer and founder & CEO of BitFinance)
I think it’s going to be interesting exchanging ideas with these people and other attendees. So I’ll be there. If you’ll be, I look forward to meeting you. Though just a mere 2 hours, it the first real Fintech event I know that’s been held in Zimbabwe ever – or I’m just ill informed! The other events just felt like bankers meeting to discuss their disruption but no real tech people to talk about what they’re doing. I digress.
The event is today at Crowne Plaza, Harare from 5:30 to 7:30. See you there.
Here’s the event poster:
Hey TZ, is it free for all to attend?
For CSZ members its free. For non-members, there is a small $5 fee ( you can swipe at the door).
why do we need to pay
2 reasons. 1) to cover cost of venue and 2) to encourage non members to join the CSZ
really, dude?
Yes sir, the logistics are quite demanding
Sorry, comment was meant for guy asking “why do we need to pay”. responded to wrong one.
Because this is not charity
so the bankers refused to attend
In essence, this is an alternative way of addressing the banking and finance problems since traditional methods are not always the only method
this sounds more like a PR event for bitfundi and co… rather than an actual “lets save zim” kind of talk.
Any notes on event. Were the bankers there?
A few bankers there.
we’ve done this so far: http://www.techzim.co.zw/2017/03/local-bitcoin-exchange-says-processed-us-100000-2016-targets-1m-2018/
More to come.