Fame Host (https://fame.so) The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact https://podcasts.fame.so/the-issuer-academy-innovate-scale-impact https://feeds.fame.so/the-issuer-academy-innovate-scale-impact Welcome to The Issuer Academy: Paymentology’s Podcast to Innovate, Scale, and Provide Impact. Every week, we unlock the secrets behind transformative card programmes and next-generation payment experiences. Through in-depth conversations with industry leaders, real-world case studies, and technical deep-dives, we explore how advanced payment solutions can overcome traditional barriers and open new markets. Whether you're a startup founder, a retail banking executive, or a fintech enthusiast ready to reimagine the future of payments, join us as we decode emerging trends, debunk industry myths, and share the strategic insights that fuel innovation and impact across the globe. Copyrights © 2025 All Rights Reserved by Paymentology en Tue, 25 Mar 2025 09:48:29 +0000 Sat, 14 Mar 2026 09:55:06 +0000 https://content.fameapp.so/uploads/j0qj6p2q/d687af10-1528-11f0-bb94-61cfe7d7653e/d687b010-1528-11f0-8fdb-570671d99253.jpg The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact https://podcasts.fame.so/the-issuer-academy-innovate-scale-impact Welcome to The Issuer Academy: Paymentology’s Podcast to Innovate, Scale, and Provide Impact. Every week, we unlock the secrets behind transformative card programmes and next-generation payment experiences. Through in-depth conversations with industry leaders, real-world case studies, and technical deep-dives, we explore how advanced payment solutions can overcome traditional barriers and open new markets. Whether you're a startup founder, a retail banking executive, or a fintech enthusiast ready to reimagine the future of payments, join us as we decode emerging trends, debunk industry myths, and share the strategic insights that fuel innovation and impact across the globe. Paymentology Welcome to The Issuer Academy: Paymentology’s Podcast to Innovate, Scale, and Provide Impact. Every week, we unlock the secrets behind transformative card programmes and next-generation payment experiences. Through in-depth conversations with industry leaders, real-world case studies, and technical deep-dives, we explore how advanced payment solutions can overcome traditional barriers and open new markets. Whether you're a startup founder, a retail banking executive, or a fintech enthusiast ready to reimagine the future of payments, join us as we decode emerging trends, debunk industry myths, and share the strategic insights that fuel innovation and impact across the globe. No No episodic Paymentology Welcome to The Issuer Academy: Paymentology’s Podcast to Innovate, Scale, and Provide Impact. Every week, we unlock the secrets behind transformative card programmes and next-generation payment experiences. Through in-depth conversations with industry leaders, real-world case studies, and technical deep-dives, we explore how advanced payment solutions can overcome traditional barriers and open new markets. Whether you're a startup founder, a retail banking executive, or a fintech enthusiast ready to reimagine the future of payments, join us as we decode emerging trends, debunk industry myths, and share the strategic insights that fuel innovation and impact across the globe. Welcome to The Issuer Academy: Paymentology’s Podcast to Innovate, Scale, and Provide Impact. Every week, we unlock the secrets behind transformative card programmes and next-generation payment experiences. Through in-depth conversations with industry leaders, real-world case studies, and technical deep-dives, we explore how advanced payment solutions can overcome traditional barriers and open new markets. Whether you're a startup founder, a retail banking executive, or a fintech enthusiast ready to reimagine the future of payments, join us as we decode emerging trends, debunk industry myths, and share the strategic insights that fuel innovation and impact across the globe. finance, Financial inclusion, sustainable payments, card issuance, fintech trends, legacy banks, neobanks, cross-border payment solutions, and digital payment transformation Merusha Naidu team@fame.so No No No How Chikwama Pay Is Building a Borderless Bank on WhatsApp https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r8kl10xn-building-borderless-bank-whatsapp How Chikwama Pay Is Building a Borderless Bank on WhatsApp 0 No No 71wj5py0 Cross-border payments remain one of the biggest barriers to financial inclusion across Africa. While people travel, trade, and work across borders every day, their money often doesn’t move as freely. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Smangele Khumalo, Chief Operating Officer at Chikwama Pay. Together, they discuss how the company is building a borderless digital bank designed for the way Africans live and trade. Cross-border payments remain one of the biggest barriers to financial inclusion across Africa. While people travel, trade, and work across borders every day, their money often doesn’t move as freely. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Smangele Khumalo, Chief Operating Officer at Chikwama Pay. Together, they discuss how the company is building a borderless digital bank designed for the way Africans live and trade.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How Chikwama Pay is reimagining financial inclusion
  • Why WhatsApp is the perfect banking interface
  • The operational realities of scaling a fintech across multiple African markets
  • What it takes to build the “Revolut of Africa”

Smangele Khumalo is the Chief Operating Officer at Chikwama Pay, a borderless neobank transforming cross-border payments across Africa. With expertise in scaling fintech operations across diverse and highly regulated African markets, Smangele has been instrumental in building partnerships with mobile operators, banks, and regulators to create seamless digital banking solutions. In this episode, she shares how Chikwama Pay is redefining financial inclusion by leveraging WhatsApp and mobile-first technology to enable millions of Africans and businesses to transact safely, affordably, and instantly across borders.


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]]> Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 979 Cross-border payments remain one of the biggest barriers to financial inclusion across Africa. While people travel, trade, and work across borders every day, their money often doesn’t move as freely. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Smangele Khumalo, Chief Operating Officer at Chikwama Pay. Together, they discuss how the company is building a borderless digital bank designed for the way Africans live and trade. Cross-border payments remain one of the biggest barriers to financial inclusion across Africa. While people travel, trade, and work across borders every day, their money often doesn’t move as freely. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Smangele Khumalo, Chief Operating Officer at Chikwama Pay. Together, they discuss how the company is building a borderless digital bank designed for the way Africans live and trade. No No Embedded Finance and Earned Wage Access: How Payroll Is Redefining Financial Wellness https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r8kl1p1n-how-payroll-is-redefining-financial-wellness Embedded Finance and Earned Wage Access: How Payroll Is Redefining Financial Wellness 0 No No 71wj5l50 Embedded finance, payroll-linked lending, and earned wage access are reshaping financial wellness across the GCC. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Dr. Allan Villegas, Co-founder and CEO of Liabify, and Tim Joslyn, CTO of Paymentology. Together, they share insights on how earned wage access, alternative credit scoring, and financial wellness platforms are transforming the way people interact with money across the GCC and other emerging markets. Embedded finance is evolving, and payroll-linked lending is at the center of that shift. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Dr. Allan Villegas, Co-founder and CEO of Liabify, and Tim Joslyn, CTO of Paymentology. Together, they share insights on how earned wage access, alternative credit scoring, and financial wellness platforms are transforming the way people interact with money across the GCC and other emerging markets.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to build alternative credit scoring systems using AI and behavioral data to serve underbanked middle-income populations
  • Why payroll has become the most powerful distribution channel for financial services
  • The critical difference between embedded transactions and embedded financial intelligence
  • How to manage complexity in payroll-linked finance by treating employment data as dynamic, exception-filled systems that require real-time verification and decisioning across multiple data sources
  • The essential framework for scaling localization across emerging markets
  • Why the future of embedded finance becomes invisible

Dr. Allan Villegas is Co-founder and CEO of Liabify, a financial wellness platform revolutionizing embedded finance across emerging markets. With a PhD and extensive background in fintech, Dr. Villegas has built an innovative alternative credit scoring system powered by AI to serve underbanked middle-class populations in the GCC region. His platform seamlessly integrates salary advances, remittances, bill payments, and secured lending into a cohesive ecosystem that prioritizes financial inclusion and human-centered design.

Tim Joslyn serves as Chief Technology Officer at Paymentology, where he leads technology strategy for a global payments processing company. His pragmatic approach to AI implementation focuses on productivity gains and practical applications rather than technology for technology's sake. He's known for his hands-on leadership style and emphasis on democratizing AI tools across engineering teams.


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]]> Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 1762 Embedded finance, payroll-linked lending, and earned wage access are reshaping financial wellness across the GCC. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Dr. Allan Villegas, Co-founder and CEO of Liabify, and Tim Joslyn, CTO of Paymentology. Together, they share insights on how earned wage access, alternative credit scoring, and financial wellness platforms are transforming the way people interact with money across the GCC and other emerging markets. Embedded finance, payroll-linked lending, and earned wage access are reshaping financial wellness across the GCC. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Dr. Allan Villegas, Co-founder and CEO of Liabify, and Tim Joslyn, CTO of Paymentology. Together, they share insights on how earned wage access, alternative credit scoring, and financial wellness platforms are transforming the way people interact with money across the GCC and other emerging markets. No No Dignity by Design: How UnDosTres is Expanding Access to Credit Across Latin America https://podcasts.fame.so/e/v8wpqy9n-undostres-expanding-access-credit-latin-america Dignity by Design: How UnDosTres is Expanding Access to Credit Across Latin America 0 No No 80x2j5r0 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Arpit Gupta, Co-founder at UnDosTres, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they dive into what it really takes to move a cash-first economy into digital-first behavior. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Arpit Gupta, Co-founder at UnDosTres, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they dive into what it really takes to move a cash-first economy into digital-first behavior.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why cash still dominates in Latin America and what’s finally changing
  • How instant credit enables access beyond traditional banking
  • Why trust and reliability matter more than features in cash-first markets
  • How contextual credit decisions improve everyday financial outcomes
  • What the next phase of digital credit and commerce will look like

Arpit Gupta is the Co-Founder of UnDosTres, one of Mexico's fastest-growing digital payment and credit platforms. With a background in fintech innovation, including early-stage experience building PayTM in India, Arpit has spent the past decade architecting the infrastructure layer that enables instant credit and digital commerce across Latin America.

Jeff Parker is the CEO of Paymentology, a global payments technology provider operating in 65 countries. His expertise lies in developing configurable payment solutions and fostering strategic partnerships across the fintech ecosystem. Under his leadership, Paymentology has become a key enabler of digital transformation in the payments industry, particularly in emerging markets like Saudi Arabia.


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The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:09:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 2245 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Arpit Gupta, Co-founder at UnDosTres, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they dive into what it really takes to move a cash-first economy into digital-first behavior. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Arpit Gupta, Co-founder at UnDosTres, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they dive into what it really takes to move a cash-first economy into digital-first behavior. No No How Stablecoins Are Powering Everyday Payments https://podcasts.fame.so/e/0njyx768-stablecoins-powering-everyday-payments How Stablecoins Are Powering Everyday Payments 0 No No 40pqpw51 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Jonathan Chan, Co-founder and Head of Partnership at RedotPay, and Minh Ha Truong, Head of Growth for APAC at Paymentology. Together, they explore why stablecoins are reshaping cross-border payments and how blockchain technology is driving real financial inclusion. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Jonathan Chan, Co-founder and Head of Partnership at RedotPay, and Minh Ha Truong, Head of Growth for APAC at Paymentology. Together, they explore why stablecoins are reshaping cross-border payments and how blockchain technology is driving real financial inclusion.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to dismantle the “crypto is only for speculation” myth
  • The user journey framework that drives adoption
  • Why Asia Pacific is the global testing ground for payment innovation
  • How to embed continuous financial literacy into product development
  • The collaboration model that accelerates financial inclusion

Jonathan Chan is Co-founder and Head of Partnership at RedotPay, spearheading efforts to democratize cryptocurrency payments for everyday use. With expertise in blockchain technology and financial inclusion, Jonathan leads the charge in making crypto accessible to underserved populations across over 100 countries. His vision centers on bridging traditional finance and digital assets through practical, user-centric solutions that empower migrants, overseas students, unbanked families, and small businesses to participate in the global economy.

Minh Ha Truong is Head of Growth for APAC at Paymentology, driving the expansion of secure, compliant payment infrastructure across one of the world's most dynamic fintech ecosystems. With deep expertise in issuing and processing technology, tokenization, and multi-cloud resilience, Minh bridges the gap between emerging payment innovations and the regulatory frameworks enabling them. Her leadership addresses critical infrastructure challenges for next-generation fintechs, particularly those pioneering stablecoin and blockchain-based solutions.


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The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Wed, 21 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 2030 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Jonathan Chan, Co-founder and Head of Partnership at RedotPay, and Minh Ha Truong, Head of Growth for APAC at Paymentology. Together, they explore why stablecoins are reshaping cross-border payments and how blockchain technology is driving real financial inclusion. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Jonathan Chan, Co-founder and Head of Partnership at RedotPay, and Minh Ha Truong, Head of Growth for APAC at Paymentology. Together, they explore why stablecoins are reshaping cross-border payments and how blockchain technology is driving real financial inclusion. No No 2025 Rewind: Lessons, Leaders & the Road to 2026 https://podcasts.fame.so/e/pnm7mq6n-2025-rewind-lessons 2025 Rewind: Lessons, Leaders & the Road to 2026 0 No No 71v5rvp0 In this special year-end episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu looks back at the standout moments that defined 2025 for issuers, digital banks, and fintechs. From bold predictions on the end of plastic cards to the rise of agentic AI, this best-of compilation brings together the sharpest insights from leaders at Mastercard, Visa, Paymentology, Apis Partners, Snappi, and more. In this special year-end episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu looks back at the standout moments that defined 2025 for issuers, digital banks, and fintechs. From bold predictions on the end of plastic cards to the rise of agentic AI, this best-of compilation brings together the sharpest insights from leaders at Mastercard, Visa, Paymentology, Apis Partners, Snappi, and more.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why card payments are more omnipresent than ever
  • How AI will democratize finance for the underserved
  • The SME market is massively underserved
  • Why hyper-personalization wins where loyalty programs fail
  • Open finance and digital identity as the next frontiers for inclusion

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, and don’t forget to rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify - we appreciate all feedback from our listeners!


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The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Thu, 18 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 2517 In this special year-end episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu looks back at the standout moments that defined 2025 for issuers, digital banks, and fintechs. From bold predictions on the end of plastic cards to the rise of agentic AI, this best-of compilation brings together the sharpest insights from leaders at Mastercard, Visa, Paymentology, Apis Partners, Snappi, and more. In this special year-end episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu looks back at the standout moments that defined 2025 for issuers, digital banks, and fintechs. From bold predictions on the end of plastic cards to the rise of agentic AI, this best-of compilation brings together the sharpest insights from leaders at Mastercard, Visa, Paymentology, Apis Partners, Snappi, and more. No No Why Credit Is the Next Big Battleground for Digital Banks https://podcasts.fame.so/e/28xz5j78-credit-big-battleground-digital-banks Why Credit Is the Next Big Battleground for Digital Banks 0 No No 60mkwpn0 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by David B. Shipper, a Strategic Advisor for Retail Banking and Payments at Datos Insights, and Rob Macmillan, the Group Product Manager for Credit at Paymentology. Together, they discuss how digital banks and fintechs are redefining credit, from instant approvals and hyper-personalization to embedded lending and next-gen infrastructure. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by David B. Shipper, a Strategic Advisor for Retail Banking and Payments at Datos Insights, and Rob Macmillan, the Group Product Manager for Credit at Paymentology. Together, they discuss how digital banks and fintechs are redefining credit, from instant approvals and hyper-personalization to embedded lending and next-gen infrastructure.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to recognize why legacy systems are the primary barrier to credit innovation
  • Why consumer expectations have shifted from ‘approval in 7 days’ to ‘instant approval with 3-4 data points’
  • The critical difference between data access and real-time data decisioning
  • How to design credit products that drive customer loyalty beyond rewards
  • Why credit-building applications are redefining credit for emerging markets and first-time borrowers
  • How PayCredit enables rapid market testing, global localization, and continuous product evolution

David B. Shipper is a Strategic Advisor for Retail Banking and Payments at Datos Insights, bringing two decades of banking industry expertise in product management and credit innovation. With a vast background in analyzing consumer lending behavior across traditional cards, BNPL, installments, and emerging credit models, David has directly witnessed the transformation of credit from legacy constraints to modern customer expectations. His research at Datos Insights reveals critical insights into how neobanks and challenger banks are reshaping consumer preferences for simplified, instant credit decisions.

Rob Macmillan is the Group Product Manager for Credit at Paymentology, spearheading the development of modern credit infrastructure solutions designed for the next generation of digital financial services. With expertise in building flexible, configurable credit platforms that address the limitations of legacy systems, Rob has been instrumental in creating PayCredit, a modern credit ledger that enables rapid innovation, personalization, and compliance across global markets.


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The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Wed, 03 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 2852 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by David B. Shipper, a Strategic Advisor for Retail Banking and Payments at Datos Insights, and Rob Macmillan, the Group Product Manager for Credit at Paymentology. Together, they discuss how digital banks and fintechs are redefining credit, from instant approvals and hyper-personalization to embedded lending and next-gen infrastructure. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by David B. Shipper, a Strategic Advisor for Retail Banking and Payments at Datos Insights, and Rob Macmillan, the Group Product Manager for Credit at Paymentology. Together, they discuss how digital banks and fintechs are redefining credit, from instant approvals and hyper-personalization to embedded lending and next-gen infrastructure. No No Inside Snappi, Greece's First Digital-Only Bank https://podcasts.fame.so/e/vnwplw58-greece-first-digital-only-bank Inside Snappi, Greece's First Digital-Only Bank 0 No No 81x28kx1 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Efi Chatziantoniou, Chief Operating Officer of Snappi; Leda Glyptis, a client-first executive, advisor, author, and speaker; and Julie Sutton, Head of Growth for Europe at Paymentology. Together, they break down how Snappi built trust, simplified banking, and leapfrogged legacy systems in one of Europe's most traditionally branch-led markets. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Efi Chatziantoniou, Chief Operating Officer of Snappi; Leda Glyptis, a client-first executive, advisor, author, and speaker; and Julie Sutton, Head of Growth for Europe at Paymentology. Together, they break down how Snappi built trust, simplified banking, and leapfrogged legacy systems in one of Europe's most traditionally branch-led markets.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How Snappi leveraged the post-COVID digital acceleration to transform Greece's traditionally branch-focused banking landscape
  • Why trust and simplicity are non-negotiable foundations for building a successful digital bank
  • The strategic advantages of launching as a joint venture with an incumbent bank
  • How to balance regulatory compliance with user experience in European banking
  • Why real-time payment capabilities and granular spend controls are becoming essential features for digital banks
  • The importance of financial literacy initiatives in driving digital banking adoption

Efi Chatziantoniou is the Chief Operating Officer of Snappi, Greece's first fully licensed digital-only bank. As a pioneering leader in digital banking transformation, she brings vast expertise in operational excellence and customer-centric banking solutions. Her work in launching and scaling Snappi shows her commitment to simplifying banking while maintaining trust and regulatory compliance, making her insights particularly valuable for fintech professionals navigating the digital banking landscape.

Leda Glyptis is a self-described "banker in recovery," digital builder, and author with almost 30 years of experience in banking transformation. Her background in both traditional banking and digital innovation provides unique insights into the challenges and opportunities facing modern financial institutions. Leda is also the author of "Beyond Resilience" and “Bankers Like Us.”

Julie Sutton serves as the Head of Growth for Europe at Paymentology, specialising in payment processing solutions and emerging market trends. Her expertise in payment infrastructure and real-time processing capabilities offers valuable insights for financial institutions looking to modernise their payment systems. Her understanding of Europe's diverse banking landscape and market-specific requirements makes her contribution especially relevant for organisations expanding across European markets.

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The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Wed, 19 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 3262 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Efi Chatziantoniou, Chief Operating Officer of Snappi; Leda Glyptis, a client-first executive, advisor, author, and speaker; and Julie Sutton, Head of Growth for Europe at Paymentology. Together, they break down how Snappi built trust, simplified banking, and leapfrogged legacy systems in one of Europe's most traditionally branch-led markets. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Efi Chatziantoniou, Chief Operating Officer of Snappi; Leda Glyptis, a client-first executive, advisor, author, and speaker; and Julie Sutton, Head of Growth for Europe at Paymentology. Together, they break down how Snappi built trust, simplified banking, and leapfrogged legacy systems in one of Europe's most traditionally branch-led markets. No No Profit Meets Purpose: The New Era of Inclusive Finance https://podcasts.fame.so/e/r874wpjn-new-era-of-inclusive-finance Profit Meets Purpose: The New Era of Inclusive Finance 0 No No k08yk561 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Adam Battersby, a Partner at Apis Partners, and Joy Macknight, a Financial Journalist, Editor, and Presenter. Together, they unpack how global investing is reshaping financial inclusion, from Buy-Now-Pay-Later innovations to AI-driven personalization. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Adam Battersby, a Partner at Apis Partners, and Joy Macknight, a Financial Journalist, Editor, and Presenter. Together, they unpack how global investing is reshaping financial inclusion, from Buy-Now-Pay-Later innovations to AI-driven personalization.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How digital identity systems are revolutionizing financial inclusion for billions
  • Why Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) needs balanced regulation to serve as an effective financial inclusion tool
  • The role of AI in reducing costs and enabling hyper-personalized financial services
  • How partnerships between banks and fintechs are transforming SME financing and trade
  • Why embedded finance is becoming crucial for democratizing financial access
  • How global investors are bridging innovation between emerging and developed markets

Adam Battersby is a Partner at Apis Partners, specializing in financial services and fintech investments across emerging and developed markets. With a background at Bank of America, running principal investments, he brings deep expertise in identifying transformative financial inclusion opportunities globally. His work at Apis Partners focuses on combining commercial returns with social impact, particularly through investments in payment technologies, digital banking, and embedded finance solutions.

Joy Macknight is a leading journalist and commentator on the global banking industry, known for her in-depth coverage of financial technology trends and innovation. As a veteran industry observer, she has produced extensive coverage of fintech developments, including five years of Tech Talk videos, highlighting emerging solutions for banks. Her expertise spans regulatory developments, digital transformation, and financial inclusion initiatives across global markets.

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The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Wed, 05 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 3178 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Adam Battersby, a Partner at Apis Partners, and Joy Macknight, a Financial Journalist, Editor, and Presenter. Together, they unpack how global investing is reshaping financial inclusion, from Buy-Now-Pay-Later innovations to AI-driven personalization. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Adam Battersby, a Partner at Apis Partners, and Joy Macknight, a Financial Journalist, Editor, and Presenter. Together, they unpack how global investing is reshaping financial inclusion, from Buy-Now-Pay-Later innovations to AI-driven personalization. No No Why Everyone Is Betting Big on Saudi Arabia’s Fintech Surge https://podcasts.fame.so/e/xnvlwxmn-why-everyone-is-betting-big-on-saudi-arabia-s-fintech-surge Why Everyone Is Betting Big on Saudi Arabia’s Fintech Surge 0 No No 71ypvxm0 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Birce Arslan, the VP of Fintech and Business Development for EEMEA at Mastercard, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they explore Saudi Arabia’s emerging fintech ecosystem, the key factors driving its explosive growth, and how Vision 2030 is creating unprecedented opportunities for payment solutions. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Birce Arslan, the VP of Fintech and Business Development for EEMEA at Mastercard, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they explore Saudi Arabia’s emerging fintech ecosystem, the key factors driving its explosive growth, and how Vision 2030 is creating unprecedented opportunities for payment solutions.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How Saudi Arabia's regulatory framework creates a structured environment for fintech innovation
  • Why building long-term partnerships and stakeholder relationships is crucial for success in the Saudi market
  • The critical role of MADA in shaping fintech strategy and product development
  • How to leverage dual-badge card capabilities to serve both domestic and international payment needs
  • Why on-soil infrastructure and data residency requirements are reshaping technology deployment strategies
  • How Vision 2030's clear objectives are accelerating digital payment adoption

Birce Arslan is the VP of Fintech and Business Development for EEMEA at Mastercard, specializing in fintech partnerships and digital payment innovation. With vast experience in payment infrastructure and emerging markets, she leads Mastercard's engagement with fintech partners across the region, particularly focusing on the Saudi Arabian market transformation. Birce provides valuable insights on Mastercard's role in enabling fintech growth through initiatives, like Start Path, MPGS, and strategic partnerships that bridge traditional and innovative payment solutions.

Jeff Parker is the CEO of Paymentology, a global payments technology provider operating in 65 countries. His expertise lies in developing configurable payment solutions and fostering strategic partnerships across the fintech ecosystem. Under his leadership, Paymentology has become a key enabler of digital transformation in the payments industry, particularly in emerging markets like Saudi Arabia.

Episode Resources:


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The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 21 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 1895 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Birce Arslan, the VP of Fintech and Business Development for EEMEA at Mastercard, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they explore Saudi Arabia’s emerging fintech ecosystem, the key factors driving its explosive growth, and how Vision 2030 is creating unprecedented opportunities for payment solutions. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Birce Arslan, the VP of Fintech and Business Development for EEMEA at Mastercard, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they explore Saudi Arabia’s emerging fintech ecosystem, the key factors driving its explosive growth, and how Vision 2030 is creating unprecedented opportunities for payment solutions. No No Fintech Built for Saudi, Connected to the World https://podcasts.fame.so/e/vnwpwyz8-fintech-built-for-saudi Fintech Built for Saudi, Connected to the World 0 No No 81x2k5y1 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Bassam Aleidy, CEO of Enjaz, Ibrahim Farag, Chief Product and Growth Officer at Enjaz, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they dive into how Saudi Arabia is revolutionizing digital payments, with 79% of retail transactions now being cashless, and examine how companies like Enjaz are building innovative solutions that are “Built for Saudi, Connected to the World.” In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Bassam Aleidy, CEO of Enjaz, Ibrahim Farag, Chief Product and Growth Officer at Enjaz, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they dive into how Saudi Arabia is revolutionizing digital payments, with 79% of retail transactions now being cashless, and examine how companies like Enjaz are building innovative solutions that are “Built for Saudi, Connected to the World.”

What You’ll Learn:

  • How Enjaz transformed from a traditional remittance provider to a digital payments leader during the pandemic
  • Why Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is accelerating digital payment adoption
  • The strategic approach to balancing compliance requirements with innovation in the Saudi market
  • How partnerships between local institutions and global technology providers are driving financial innovation
  • Why configurable technology platforms are essential for rapid market deployment and customer-centric solutions
  • How Saudi Arabia is becoming a hub for exporting financial innovation to global markets

Bassam Aleidy is the CEO of Enjaz, a leading Saudi Arabian fintech company specializing in remittances and digital payments. As a former Chief Digital Banking Innovation Officer at Bank Albilad, he led the company's transformation from a traditional remittance provider to a digital-first financial institution, pioneering the first digital account opening system in the GCC and Middle East region. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing Enjaz's vision of connecting Saudi Arabia to over 200 countries while maintaining strong compliance and innovation standards.

Ibrahim Farag serves as the Chief Product and Growth Officer at Enjaz, where he drives product innovation and digital transformation initiatives. With deep expertise in fintech product development and compliance, he has been crucial in developing Injaz's digital solutions while maintaining robust security standards. His strategic approach to balancing innovation with regulatory requirements has helped position Injaz as a leader in Saudi Arabia's evolving financial services landscape.

Jeff Parker is the CEO of Paymentology, a global payments technology provider operating in 65 countries. His expertise lies in developing configurable payment solutions and fostering strategic partnerships across the fintech ecosystem. Under his leadership, Paymentology has become a key enabler of digital transformation in the payments industry, particularly in emerging markets like Saudi Arabia.

Episode Resources:

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]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 2268 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Bassam Aleidy, CEO of Enjaz, Ibrahim Farag, Chief Product and Growth Officer at Enjaz, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they dive into how Saudi Arabia is revolutionizing digital payments, with 79% of retail transactions now being cashless, and examine how companies like Enjaz are building innovative solutions that are “Built for Saudi, Connected to the World.” In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Bassam Aleidy, CEO of Enjaz, Ibrahim Farag, Chief Product and Growth Officer at Enjaz, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they dive into how Saudi Arabia is revolutionizing digital payments, with 79% of retail transactions now being cashless, and examine how companies like Enjaz are building innovative solutions that are “Built for Saudi, Connected to the World.” No No Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact: The Future of MENA Finance https://podcasts.fame.so/e/x812ljyn-innovation-inclusion-impact-MENA-Future Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact: The Future of MENA Finance 0 No No 713rv3q0 In this episode of The Issuer Academy, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Godfrey Sullivan, SVP of Products & Solutions at Visa CEMEA, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they explore why MENA is emerging as the world’s next fintech powerhouse, how innovation in remittances, credit, and stablecoins is transforming financial access, and why collaboration between global networks and agile processors is critical for building the next generation of financial services. MENA is rapidly becoming one of the most dynamic regions for fintech innovation, overtaking traditional leaders in global rankings. In this episode of The Issuer Academy, host Merusha Naidu speaks with Godfrey Sullivan, SVP of Products & Solutions at Visa CEMEA, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology, about the forces shaping this transformation. They discuss the region’s unique combination of ambition, resources, and regulatory support, as well as the challenges of cultural diversity and the need for trust-based relationships. From digital banks scaling at record speeds, to cross-border remittances and new approaches to credit inclusion, to the rise of stablecoins and AI, the conversation highlights how partnerships between Visa and Paymentology are enabling fintechs to innovate faster and more responsibly. The episode underscores the importance of simplicity, customer choice, and collaboration in creating a more inclusive financial ecosystem across MENA and beyond.

What You’ll Learn:
● Why MENA is becoming the new global hub for fintech innovation
● The role of simplicity and customer choice in building digital-first financial products
● How remittances and cross-border payments are driving financial inclusion
● Why microcredit and gateway products are critical for onboarding the unbanked
● The role of regulators in accelerating innovation and creating supportive ecosystems
● How stablecoins and AI are reshaping settlement, commerce, and financial access
● Why collaboration between global networks and agile enablers is key to scaling innovation

Godfrey Sullivan is SVP of Products and Solutions at Visa CEMEA, bringing over 20 years of experience in the MENA region's payments landscape. As a key strategist in Visa's regional operations, he has been instrumental in developing innovative payment solutions and spearheading initiatives like the Africa Fintech Accelerator program, which mentors emerging fintechs. His expertise spans digital payments, financial inclusion, and regulatory frameworks across 86 markets in Central Europe, Middle East, and Asia.

Jeff Parker serves as CEO of Paymentology. With vast experience in financial technology infrastructure, he guides the company's mission to enable innovative payment solutions across emerging markets. His expertise in scaling fintech operations and building trust-based partnerships has helped position Paymentology as a key enabler for next-generation banking services, particularly in Africa and emerging markets.

Episode Resources:
● Godfrey Sullivan on LinkedIn
● Jeff Parker on LinkedIn
● Visa Website
● Paymentology Website
● Merusha Naidu on LinkedIn

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The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Thu, 18 Sep 2025 08:01:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 3020 In this episode of The Issuer Academy, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Godfrey Sullivan, SVP of Products & Solutions at Visa CEMEA, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they explore why MENA is emerging as the world’s next fintech powerhouse, how innovation in remittances, credit, and stablecoins is transforming financial access, and why collaboration between global networks and agile processors is critical for building the next generation of financial services. In this episode of The Issuer Academy, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Godfrey Sullivan, SVP of Products & Solutions at Visa CEMEA, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they explore why MENA is emerging as the world’s next fintech powerhouse, how innovation in remittances, credit, and stablecoins is transforming financial access, and why collaboration between global networks and agile processors is critical for building the next generation of financial services. No No Fraud vs Innovation: The Thin Line in Digital Banking https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1833k928-fraud-vs-innovation-digital-banking Fraud vs Innovation: The Thin Line in Digital Banking 0 No No m0jpvxj0 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Paul Trueman, Executive Vice President of Cyber and Intelligence at Mastercard, and Stephen Bowe, Chief Product Officer at Paymentology. Together, they unpack the fine line where innovation meets fraud, revealing how scams are becoming hyper-personalised, why tokenisation and one-time-use cards are game-changers, and how AI is both a security superpower and a scammer's weapon. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Paul Trueman, Executive Vice President of Cyber and Intelligence at Mastercard, and Stephen Bowe, Chief Product Officer at Paymentology. Together, they unpack the fine line where innovation meets fraud, revealing how scams are becoming hyper-personalised, why tokenisation and one-time-use cards are game-changers, and how AI is both a security superpower and a scammer's weapon.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to balance frictionless payments with enhanced security through intelligent authentication
  • Why AI and machine learning are becoming critical tools for fraud prevention
  • The evolution of card payments from physical to digital and how it's reshaping customer expectations
  • How to turn security features into value-added services that customers actively appreciate
  • Why collaboration across the payments ecosystem is essential for combating modern fraud
  • How to leverage data intelligence to make real-time decisions without compromising user experience
  • The future of digital payments and why cards will become more omnipresent

Paul Trueman is the Executive Vice President of Cyber and Intelligence at Mastercard, bringing vast expertise in cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and payment innovation. With over two decades of experience in the payments industry, Paul has been instrumental in developing Mastercard's AI-driven security solutions, including Decision Intelligence and Safety Net. His work has helped shape how the industry approaches security, particularly in areas like APP fraud prevention and cyber resilience.

Stephen Bowe serves as the Chief Product Officer at Paymentology, leveraging his deep background in digital banking and neobank operations. With significant experience in developing innovative payment solutions, Stephen focuses on creating seamless, secure payment experiences while maintaining robust security measures. His expertise in product development and customer experience has been crucial in transforming how financial institutions approach card program innovation.

Episode Resources:

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The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 4019 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Paul Trueman, Executive Vice President of Cyber and Intelligence at Mastercard, and Stephen Bowe, Chief Product Officer at Paymentology. Together, they unpack the fine line where innovation meets fraud, revealing how scams are becoming hyper-personalised, why tokenisation and one-time-use cards are game-changers, and how AI is both a security superpower and a scammer's weapon. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Paul Trueman, Executive Vice President of Cyber and Intelligence at Mastercard, and Stephen Bowe, Chief Product Officer at Paymentology. Together, they unpack the fine line where innovation meets fraud, revealing how scams are becoming hyper-personalised, why tokenisation and one-time-use cards are game-changers, and how AI is both a security superpower and a scammer's weapon. No No How Word-of-Mouth Built South Africa's First Black-Owned Unicorn Bank https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1833x598-word-of-mouth-built-south-africa How Word-of-Mouth Built South Africa's First Black-Owned Unicorn Bank 0 No No m0jp9nx0 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Rohit Subramanian, Chief Strategy Officer at TymeBank, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they explore how TymeBank became South Africa's first black-owned digital bank to achieve unicorn status. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Rohit Subramanian, Chief Strategy Officer at TymeBank, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they explore how TymeBank became South Africa's first black-owned digital bank to achieve unicorn status.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How TymeBank's hybrid phygital model with retail kiosks revolutionised customer onboarding in South Africa
  • Why building trust through word-of-mouth and customer experience proved more powerful than traditional marketing
  • The critical balance between innovation and financial inclusion in emerging markets
  • How to maintain resilience during the "fintech winter" by focusing on core products and profitability
  • Why successful scaling requires both bold innovation and patience with market readiness
  • How to build a unicorn while staying true to your mission of financial inclusion

Rohit Subramanian is the Chief Strategy Officer at TymeBank, South Africa's first black-owned digital bank to achieve unicorn status. As a key architect of TymeBank's growth strategy, he has been instrumental in expanding financial access across South Africa while maintaining a lean, customer-centric operating model. Under his leadership, TymeBank has achieved over 80% active customer engagement and pioneered innovative solutions like their successful kiosk-based banking model.

Jeff Parker serves as CEO of Paymentology. With vast experience in financial technology infrastructure, he guides the company's mission to enable innovative payment solutions across emerging markets. His expertise in scaling fintech operations and building trust-based partnerships has helped position Paymentology as a key enabler for next-generation banking services, particularly in Africa and emerging markets.

Episode Resources:


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The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Wed, 27 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 2427 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Rohit Subramanian, Chief Strategy Officer at TymeBank, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they explore how TymeBank became South Africa's first black-owned digital bank to achieve unicorn status. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Rohit Subramanian, Chief Strategy Officer at TymeBank, and Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. Together, they explore how TymeBank became South Africa's first black-owned digital bank to achieve unicorn status. No No Go Global, Think Local: Why Winning in Payments Is a Regional Game https://podcasts.fame.so/e/4n9m701n-why-winning-payments-regional-game Go Global, Think Local: Why Winning in Payments Is a Regional Game 0 No No v07r64x1 In this special edition of The Issuer Academy, host Merusha Naidu brings together Paymentology’s regional leaders and Chief Revenue Officer Anna Porra for a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to scale card programs globally. From APAC’s super app ecosystem to Latin America’s fast-paced fintech growth, the Middle East’s compliance-first innovation, and Europe’s cash-to-contactless transformation, this conversation unpacks how local realities shape global fintech success. The payments industry loves to talk about scale. However, what is often overlooked is the real engine behind global success: regional fluency.

In this special edition of The Issuer Academy, host Merusha Naidu brings together Paymentology’s regional leaders and Chief Revenue Officer Anna Porra for a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to scale card programs globally. From APAC’s super app ecosystem to Latin America’s fast-paced fintech growth, the Middle East’s compliance-first innovation, and Europe’s cash-to-contactless transformation, this conversation unpacks how local realities shape global fintech success.

The panel explores how payment innovation looks different in every market—and why the strategies that win in Singapore, Mexico, or Dubai can’t just be exported wholesale. You’ll hear how smart regulation, user behavior, infrastructure, and even mobile penetration drive adoption differently in each region.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why embedded finance is succeeding in APAC, LATAM, and the UK, but for completely different reasons
  • How regulatory environments like the UAE and Argentina are shaping innovation, not stifling it
  • What super apps can teach us about loyalty, personalization, and daily-use adoption
  • Why safe remittance and light-touch credit are game-changers in Africa
  • The real reason Europe is still a cash-heavy market in places like Germany
  • What it means to “issue an experience,” not just a card
  • When to build, when to buy, and how to choose the right tech partners for scale
  • The role of financial literacy in achieving true financial inclusion
  • Why fintechs need to treat compliance as a competitive advantage, not a hurdle

Featured Guests:

  • Anna Porra – Chief Revenue Officer, Paymentology
  • Minh Ha – Head of Growth, APAC
  • Julie Sutton – Head of Growth, Europe
  • Nauman Hassan – Regional Director, MENA
  • Alejandro del Río – Regional Director, Latin America
  • Ignacio Gironella Merino – Head of Sales, Europe

Episode Resources:


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The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Wed, 13 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 2389 In this special edition of The Issuer Academy, host Merusha Naidu brings together Paymentology’s regional leaders and Chief Revenue Officer Anna Porra for a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to scale card programs globally. From APAC’s super app ecosystem to Latin America’s fast-paced fintech growth, the Middle East’s compliance-first innovation, and Europe’s cash-to-contactless transformation, this conversation unpacks how local realities shape global fintech success. In this special edition of The Issuer Academy, host Merusha Naidu brings together Paymentology’s regional leaders and Chief Revenue Officer Anna Porra for a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to scale card programs globally. From APAC’s super app ecosystem to Latin America’s fast-paced fintech growth, the Middle East’s compliance-first innovation, and Europe’s cash-to-contactless transformation, this conversation unpacks how local realities shape global fintech success. No No The Rise of the Companion Card: Powering Africa’s Mobile-First Economy https://podcasts.fame.so/e/182r14w8-rise-of-companion-card-powering-africa The Rise of the Companion Card: Powering Africa’s Mobile-First Economy 0 No No 2099p7r0 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Julius Abuje is joined by Alfred Mukudu, a Financial Services Go-To-Market Leader at Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Naima Yusuf, Head of Business Payments at M-Pesa Africa. Together, they dive into the growing role of companion cards in Africa's mobile money ecosystem. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Julius Abuje is joined by Alfred Mukudu, a Financial Services Go-To-Market Leader at Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Naima Yusuf, Head of Business Payments at M-Pesa Africa. Together, they dive into the growing role of companion cards in Africa's mobile money ecosystem.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How companion cards differ from traditional cards
  • Why mobile wallet integration is driving financial inclusion and expanding access to global eCommerce platforms
  • The role of cloud technology in enabling secure, scalable, and cost-effective payment solutions
  • Why customizable companion cards are outperforming traditional bank cards in African markets
  • The future of borderless payments through mobile-first solutions and cross-border functionality

Alfred leads Go-To-Market Strategy and Business Development for Financial Services at AWS across Sub-Saharan Africa. He specializes in helping financial services customers optimize their cloud journey while dedicating time to identifying emerging industry trends and removing barriers to cloud adoption. His expertise in cloud infrastructure and financial technology enables institutions to build secure, scalable payment solutions that democratize access to financial services across Africa.

Naima is the Head of Business Payments at M-Pesa Africa, where she leads cross-border payments and remittance initiatives. With over seven years of experience in product management across local business, lending, and global payments, she brings deep expertise in mobile money solutions and financial inclusion. As a key leader at M-Pesa, she drives innovations in companion cards and digital payments, focusing on making financial services more accessible across Africa while ensuring security and customer-centric solutions.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, and don’t forget to rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify - we appreciate all feedback from our listeners!

Episode Resources:


The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Wed, 30 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 1391 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Julius Abuje is joined by Alfred Mukudu, a Financial Services Go-To-Market Leader at Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Naima Yusuf, Head of Business Payments at M-Pesa Africa. Together, they dive into the growing role of companion cards in Africa's mobile money ecosystem. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Julius Abuje is joined by Alfred Mukudu, a Financial Services Go-To-Market Leader at Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Naima Yusuf, Head of Business Payments at M-Pesa Africa. Together, they dive into the growing role of companion cards in Africa's mobile money ecosystem. No No Beyond Access: Can Tech Raise a Financially Empowered Generation? https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rnkl7678-tech-raise-financially-empowered-generation Beyond Access: Can Tech Raise a Financially Empowered Generation? 0 No No 70wj6m61 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Theo Kitshoff, CEO and Co-founder of Sticitt, and Drisha Kirkman, Head of Programme Management and Sustainability (MD South Africa) for Paymentology. Together, they explore the intersection of financial literacy and technological innovation. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Theo Kitshoff, CEO and Co-founder of Sticitt, and Drisha Kirkman, Head of Programme Management and Sustainability (MD South Africa) for Paymentology. Together, they explore the intersection of financial literacy and technological innovation.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to design financial education tools that create lasting behavioural change, starting with children
  • Why partnerships between fintech and payment processors are crucial for scaling inclusive solutions
  • The “Mobile-First Framework” for building financial solutions in markets with limited infrastructure
  • How to integrate financial literacy into formal education systems through innovative payment solutions
  • Why embedded finance must be localised for African markets rather than copying global solutions
  • How to balance technological innovation with practical accessibility in developing markets

Theo Kitshoff is the CEO and Co-founder of Sticitt, a pioneering fintech company focused on reimagining financial literacy for children through innovative payment solutions. With a passion for building sustainable financial habits in young people, he has led the development of child-focused payment cards and recently authored a book on forming lasting financial habits. His work bridges the gap between financial access and education, making complex money concepts accessible to the next generation.

Drisha Kirkman is the Head of Programme Management and Sustainability (MD South Africa) for Paymentology, where she drives scalable payment solutions across Africa. With over 20 years of experience in the payments industry, she has been instrumental in powering major mobile money solutions for providers like Safaricom, Orange, and Vodacom. Her expertise in simplifying complex payment infrastructures has helped numerous fintechs navigate the challenges of launching inclusive financial services in emerging markets.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, and don’t forget to rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify - we appreciate all feedback from our listeners!

Episode Resources:



The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Wed, 16 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 2752 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Theo Kitshoff, CEO and Co-founder of Sticitt, and Drisha Kirkman, Head of Programme Management and Sustainability (MD South Africa) for Paymentology. Together, they explore the intersection of financial literacy and technological innovation. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Theo Kitshoff, CEO and Co-founder of Sticitt, and Drisha Kirkman, Head of Programme Management and Sustainability (MD South Africa) for Paymentology. Together, they explore the intersection of financial literacy and technological innovation. No No Smarter Cards, Simpler Stacks: Innovating at the Infrastructure Layer https://podcasts.fame.so/e/vnwpxj58-smarter-cards-innovating-infrastructure-layer Smarter Cards, Simpler Stacks: Innovating at the Infrastructure Layer 0 No No 81x2lvx1 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Carl Raven, Head of Issuer Enablers at Visa, and Thomas Benjaminsen Normann, Product Director of Digital Services at Paymentology. Together, they dive into what it really means to innovate in issuing, from AI agents and tokenization to flex cards, cloud-first infrastructure, subscription managers, and ecosystem partnerships. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Carl Raven, Head of Issuer Enablers at Visa, and Thomas Benjaminsen Normann, Product Director of Digital Services at Paymentology. Together, they dive into what it really means to innovate in issuing, from AI agents and tokenization to flex cards, cloud-first infrastructure, subscription managers, and ecosystem partnerships.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How cloud infrastructure is becoming non-negotiable for scalable, reliable issuing platforms
  • Why tokenization is evolving from a security layer to an intelligent control mechanism for AI-driven commerce
  • The shift from cost-first to tech-first decision-making in issuer partnerships
  • How to balance rapid innovation with infrastructure stability through configurable solutions
  • Why transaction controls at the token level are an underutilized opportunity for enhanced user experience
  • How to prepare for the explosion of tokens per card as AI agents and digital commerce evolve

Carl Raven is Head of Issuer Enablers at Visa, specializing in ecosystem partnerships and payment innovation. With vast experience in financial technology, he focuses on helping issuers navigate the evolving landscape of digital payments and cloud infrastructure.

Thomas Benjaminsen Normann serves as Product Director of Digital Services at Paymentology and CPO at MeaWallet, bringing dual expertise in processing and digital wallet solutions. Based in Oslo, he has been key in developing tokenization strategies and mobile payment solutions since 2012.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, and don’t forget to rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify - we appreciate all feedback from our listeners!

Episode Resources:



The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 01 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 2118 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Carl Raven, Head of Issuer Enablers at Visa, and Thomas Benjaminsen Normann, Product Director of Digital Services at Paymentology. Together, they dive into what it really means to innovate in issuing, from AI agents and tokenization to flex cards, cloud-first infrastructure, subscription managers, and ecosystem partnerships. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Carl Raven, Head of Issuer Enablers at Visa, and Thomas Benjaminsen Normann, Product Director of Digital Services at Paymentology. Together, they dive into what it really means to innovate in issuing, from AI agents and tokenization to flex cards, cloud-first infrastructure, subscription managers, and ecosystem partnerships. No No In the AI Stampede, Who’s Stopping to Ask the Right Questions? [LIVE FROM MONEY 2020] https://podcasts.fame.so/e/mn4lpwqn-live-from-money-2020 In the AI Stampede, Who’s Stopping to Ask the Right Questions? [LIVE FROM MONEY 2020] 0 No No x06ryv20 In this special live episode from Money 2020 Europe in Amsterdam, host Merusha Naidu explores the AI revolution in payments with Theodora Lau, founder of Unconventional Ventures and author of "Banking on Artificial Intelligence," and Tim Joslyn, CTO at Paymentology. Together, they unpack the realities of AI in financial services, what’s working, what’s performative, and what’s missing the mark. They explore how AI is improving productivity, speeding up onboarding, powering internal support, and automating loan origination, while also confronting the risks of bias, misuse, and hype-driven decision-making. In this special live episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, recorded at Money 2020 Europe in Amsterdam, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Theodora Lau, founder of Unconventional Ventures and author of "Banking on Artificial Intelligence," and Tim Joslyn, Chief Technology Officer at Paymentology. Together, they cut through the AI hype dominating fintech and ask what really matters: are we solving the right problems, or just adopting tech for the sake of it? From loan origination and multilingual support to productivity tools and internal AI agents, they share real-world examples of AI that works and call out where it doesn’t.


What You'll Learn:

  • Why identifying the problem comes before choosing the AI solution
  • How to move beyond "low-hanging fruit" AI implementations to create real value
  • The difference between using AI for efficiency versus using it for transformation
  • Practical examples of AI working well in financial services (loan origination, fraud detection, multilingual support)
  • Why productivity gains should be your starting point for AI adoption
  • The importance of democratizing AI access within organizations
  • How regulatory environments affect AI implementation speed across different regions
  • Why trust and transparency must be the foundation of AI in financial services


About the Guests: Theodora Lau is the founder of Unconventional Ventures and author of "Banking on Artificial Intelligence." She's a recognized thought leader in fintech innovation, focusing on responsible technology adoption and financial inclusion. Her work emphasizes moving beyond AI buzzwords to create genuine value for customers and communities.


Tim Joslyn serves as Chief Technology Officer at Paymentology, where he leads technology strategy for a global payments processing company. His pragmatic approach to AI implementation focuses on productivity gains and practical applications rather than technology for technology's sake. He's known for his hands-on leadership style and emphasis on democratizing AI tools across engineering teams.


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The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 2314 In this special live episode from Money 2020 Europe in Amsterdam, host Merusha Naidu explores the AI revolution in payments with Theodora Lau, founder of Unconventional Ventures and author of "Banking on Artificial Intelligence," and Tim Joslyn, CTO at Paymentology. Together, they unpack the realities of AI in financial services, what’s working, what’s performative, and what’s missing the mark. They explore how AI is improving productivity, speeding up onboarding, powering internal support, and automating loan origination, while also confronting the risks of bias, misuse, and hype-driven decision-making. In this special live episode from Money 2020 Europe in Amsterdam, host Merusha Naidu explores the AI revolution in payments with Theodora Lau, founder of Unconventional Ventures and author of "Banking on Artificial Intelligence," and Tim Joslyn, CTO at Paymentology. Together, they unpack the realities of AI in financial services, what’s working, what’s performative, and what’s missing the mark. They explore how AI is improving productivity, speeding up onboarding, powering internal support, and automating loan origination, while also confronting the risks of bias, misuse, and hype-driven decision-making. No No The Change Beneath the Change: What’s Driving Real Financial Transformation? https://podcasts.fame.so/e/5nz73mq8-driving-real-financial-transformation The Change Beneath the Change: What’s Driving Real Financial Transformation? 0 No No 80zn5mj0 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Leda Glyptis, Author, Advisor, Chair of Bourn AI and Professor at the University of Loughborough, Pauline Molloyi, Acting COO at OM Bank, South Africa's newest digital bank, and Anna Porra, CRO at Paymentology. Together, they navigate redesigning financial systems for true inclusion and impact in South Africa and beyond. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Leda Glyptis, Author, Advisor, Chair of Bourn AI and Professor at the University of Loughborough, Pauline Molloyi, Acting COO at OM Bank, South Africa's newest digital bank, and Anna Porra, CRO at Paymentology. Together, they navigate redesigning financial systems for true inclusion and impact in South Africa and beyond.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How to drive financial inclusion beyond just creating digital products
  • The "Change Beneath the Change" principle for transforming legacy systems while maintaining operational stability
  • How to leverage data responsibly to empower customers while building trust and managing risk
  • Why simplicity and standardisation are key to driving digital payment adoption in cash-heavy markets
  • The critical mindset shift needed to design inclusive financial products that serve diverse communities effectively

Leda is an author, advisor, professor, and Chair of Bourn AI. With decades of experience in financial technology transformation, she is known for her expertise in legacy system modernisation and digital banking innovation. Her pragmatic approach to technology adoption and emphasis on business value over technical novelty have influenced numerous successful digital banking launches globally.

Pauline is the Acting COO of OM Bank, a new digital bank in South Africa. With vast experience in the South African payment network, she is recognised as an institution in the industry. Pauline brings deep expertise in digital banking transformation, financial inclusion, and customer-centric system design. Her leadership at OM Bank focuses on reimagining banking experiences through innovative personalisation and data utilisation strategies.

Anna serves as Chief Revenue Officer at Paymentology, bringing extensive experience in payment processing and emerging market solutions. Her expertise centers on developing accessible financial products and enabling financial inclusion through innovative credit models. Anna's work focuses on helping financial institutions build scalable, cost-effective payment solutions that serve diverse population segments.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, and don’t forget to rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify - we appreciate all feedback from our listeners!



The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Thu, 29 May 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 3928 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Leda Glyptis, Author, Advisor, Chair of Bourn AI and Professor at the University of Loughborough, Pauline Molloyi, Acting COO at OM Bank, South Africa's newest digital bank, and Anna Porra, CRO at Paymentology. Together, they navigate redesigning financial systems for true inclusion and impact in South Africa and beyond. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Leda Glyptis, Author, Advisor, Chair of Bourn AI and Professor at the University of Loughborough, Pauline Molloyi, Acting COO at OM Bank, South Africa's newest digital bank, and Anna Porra, CRO at Paymentology. Together, they navigate redesigning financial systems for true inclusion and impact in South Africa and beyond. No No Wallets Are Being Rewritten: Tokenization, Embedded Finance & the Future of Payments https://podcasts.fame.so/e/1833zyj8-tokenization-finance-future-payments Wallets Are Being Rewritten: Tokenization, Embedded Finance & the Future of Payments 0 No No m0jp6yq0 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Michael Galvin, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Toqio, and Ignacio Gironella Merino, Head of Sales Europe at Paymentology and Global Sales Director at MeaWallet. Together, they discuss how tokenization is revolutionising payment security, why cards are becoming the backbone of embedded finance platforms, and how businesses are leveraging these technologies to create seamless, secure customer experiences. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Michael Galvin, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Toqio, and Ignacio Gironella Merino, Head of Sales Europe at Paymentology and Global Sales Director at MeaWallet. Together, they navigate the true potential of embedded finance through cards and tokenization.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How embedded finance is transforming B2B payments
  • Why tokenization is the foundation for secure, frictionless payment experiences across digital platforms
  • How companies like Amazon and Shopify are leveraging cards to keep users within their ecosystems
  • The role of card controls and tokenization in creating industry-specific payment solutions for SMEs
  • Why push provisioning and digital wallets are essential for modern card programme success
  • How insurance companies are using instant virtual cards to revolutionise claim payments and customer engagement

Michael is the Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Toqio, specialising in embedded finance and card tokenization solutions. With vast experience in B2B financial services, he has been instrumental in developing innovative payment solutions for corporates with large merchant networks. Michael brings valuable insights into how embedded finance and tokenization are transforming business operations, particularly in areas like travel, NGOs, and marketplace payments.

Ignacio serves as Head of Sales for Europe at Paymentology and Global Sales Director at MeaWallet. As a payments technology expert, he brings expertise in tokenization, digital payments, and card processing solutions. His work focuses on making payment processes invisible and frictionless while maintaining robust security standards.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, and don’t forget to rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify - we appreciate all feedback from our listeners!

Episode Resources:


The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Tue, 13 May 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 2848 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Michael Galvin, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Toqio, and Ignacio Gironella Merino, Head of Sales Europe at Paymentology and Global Sales Director at MeaWallet. Together, they discuss how tokenization is revolutionising payment security, why cards are becoming the backbone of embedded finance platforms, and how businesses are leveraging these technologies to create seamless, secure customer experiences. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Michael Galvin, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Toqio, and Ignacio Gironella Merino, Head of Sales Europe at Paymentology and Global Sales Director at MeaWallet. Together, they discuss how tokenization is revolutionising payment security, why cards are becoming the backbone of embedded finance platforms, and how businesses are leveraging these technologies to create seamless, secure customer experiences. embedded finance, tokenization, card payments, digital wallets, payment security, virtual cards No No Forget Cards—Here's What You'll Be Using to Pay in 2030 https://podcasts.fame.so/e/28610v2n-what-you-be-using-pay-2030 Forget Cards—Here's What You'll Be Using to Pay in 2030 0 No No j122y3k1 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology, and Christian Rau, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships, Digital Assets, Blockchain, and Fintech Enablement at Mastercard. Together, they explore the evolving payments landscape, from the future of cash and plastic cards to the transformative impact of tokenization and cloud-first infrastructure. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology, and Christian Rau, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships, Digital Assets, Blockchain, and Fintech Enablement at Mastercard. Together, they explore the evolving payments landscape, from the future of cash and plastic cards to the transformative impact of tokenization and cloud-first infrastructure.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Why cash and plastic cards won't disappear completely by 2030
  • How tokenization is revolutionizing payment security while improving customer experience and approval rates
  • The impact of Mastercard's decision to phase out 16-digit card numbers and transition to token-based payments
  • How AI and data analytics are reshaping fraud prevention and creating more intelligent payment experiences
  • The role of cross-border payment solutions in serving increasingly globalized businesses

With vast experience in digital payments and blockchain technology, Christian leads Mastercard's initiatives in integrating CBDCs, stablecoins, and multi-rail payment solutions. His expertise in global payment standards and tokenization has been instrumental in shaping the future of digital transactions.

Under Jeff's leadership, Paymentology has expanded its cloud-first payment infrastructure and acquired strategic companies like Tutuka and MeaWallet, enhancing their tokenization capabilities and global processing presence. His vision focuses on simplifying payment solutions while maintaining robust security measures.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, and don’t forget to rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify - we appreciate all feedback from our listeners!


The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Wed, 09 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 2251 In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology, and Christian Rau, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships, Digital Assets, Blockchain, and Fintech Enablement at Mastercard. Together, they explore the evolving payments landscape, from the future of cash and plastic cards to the transformative impact of tokenization and cloud-first infrastructure. In this episode of The Issuer Academy podcast, host Merusha Naidu is joined by Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology, and Christian Rau, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships, Digital Assets, Blockchain, and Fintech Enablement at Mastercard. Together, they explore the evolving payments landscape, from the future of cash and plastic cards to the transformative impact of tokenization and cloud-first infrastructure. digital payments, tokenization, payment processing, cashless economy, cloud payments, Mastercard partnerships, payment security No No The Issuer Academy Podcast is going live on Wednesday! https://podcasts.fame.so/e/2nx0vrqn-the-issuer-academy-podcast The Issuer Academy Podcast is going live on Wednesday! 0 No No 61m6zq30 Are you ready to transform your payments strategy? The Issuer Academy, brought to you by Paymentology, is your new go-to podcast for insights, innovation, and impact in the world of digital payments. From next-gen card issuance to tokenisation, digital wallets, and Cards-as-a-Service, we dive deep into the strategies that are shaping the future. Featuring payment pros, fintech visionaries, and tech experts, this is where payments innovation comes to life.

Watch the trailer now and get ready for game-changing conversations!

#TheIssuerAcademy #PaymentsInnovation #Fintech 

The Issuer Academy: Innovate. Scale. Impact Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
]]> Mon, 07 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0000 Paymentology Paymentology 55 Are you ready to transform your payments strategy? The Issuer Academy, brought to you by Paymentology, is your new go-to podcast for insights, innovation, and impact in the world of digital payments. Are you ready to transform your payments strategy? The Issuer Academy, brought to you by Paymentology, is your new go-to podcast for insights, innovation, and impact in the world of digital payments. embedded finance, tokenization, card payments, digital wallets, payment security, virtual cards No No