ACOA 2025

SPEAKER PROFILES

Jean Claude Gaga

Managing Director - Airtel Money, Rwanda

Jean Claude Gaga is the Managing Director of Airtel Mobile Commerce Rwanda, a role he has held since January 2022. A digital payments enthusiast with 15 years of experience, Jean Claude has been at the forefront of innovations in mobile financial services and digital payments across Rwanda and beyond. Prior to joining Airtel, he served as the Commercial Director at Equity Bank Rwanda, where he spearheaded the launch of Fast Fasta, a groundbreaking merchant payment solution that transformed the retail digital payments space and significantly boosted the bank's non-funded income.



Previously, Jean Claude served as CEO of RSwitch, Rwanda’s national electronic payment processor. Under his leadership, RSwitch achieved key milestones, including its first EMV certification as a third-party processor for international card schemes like Visa and China Union Pay, as well as multiple PCIDSS certifications to ensure top-tier security standards for financial partners.

Jean Claude pioneered mobile financial services in Rwanda by launching the country’s first mobile money service with MTN Rwanda. An active contributor to the fintech ecosystem, he frequently speaks at conferences on payments, mobile finance, and fintech across Rwanda, Kenya, Sudan, and the UAE. He holds a Master’s degree in Financial Services Management from the University of Salford, UK, and is a board member of fintech entities in Rwanda and Chad. Additionally, he is a member of the EAC, COMESA, and SADC committees working on the establishment of a tripartite cross-border retail payments scheme.