WayaWaya Names Ex-Chase Bank Kenya Exec Raj Singh Adviser

In Short

• WayaWaya has appointed Raj Singh as a non-executive director and board adviser.
• The startup says it wants to deepen partnerships with banks and merchants.
• The move supports expansion plans across Africa and into international markets.

What Happened

WayaWaya, a Kenyan company building AI-powered financial services for banks and merchants, has appointed former Chase Bank Kenya executive Raj Singh as a non-executive director and adviser to the board.

A non-executive director is a board member who does not run day to day operations. They help with oversight, governance, and strategic decisions. WayaWaya said Singh will advise the board and executive team on strategy, governance, and commercial growth.

The company framed the appointment as part of its next phase of scaling. It plans to deepen relationships with financial institutions and merchants, and expand into new African markets and international geographies.

The hire fits a wider pattern across African fintech. More startups are bringing in career bankers as they move closer to regulated financial services. Regulated services are products that require licences and strict compliance, similar to how banks follow rules on customer checks, risk controls, and reporting.

Recent examples include Moniepoint, which appointed former Branch Kenya CEO Rose Muturi to lead its Kenya business after acquiring a microfinance bank. Payments firm Cellulant also hired former Xapo Bank executive Anthony Hernandez as chief operating officer to sharpen its expansion strategy.

Why It Matters

As fintechs sell to banks and large merchants, trust and governance start to matter as much as product speed. Board-level banking experience can help with regulatory expectations, risk management, and enterprise sales cycles that often move slowly.

For WayaWaya, adding a board adviser with banking experience signals it is preparing for more complex partnerships. It may also help the startup enter new markets where local regulators and financial institutions want proven leadership and strong controls.