Interview of Johnson Idesoh, Group Chief Information and Technology Officer, Absa Group, featured in Bizweek.
Johnson Idesoh, Group Chief Information & Technology Officer of Absa, believes Africa’s banking future will be defined by technology, trust, and inclusion. Digital progress is not only about systems but also about people, he says. From mobile account openings to stronger safeguards, he argues that innovation must remain inclusive. With regulatory harmonisation a “strategic enabler for unlocking Africa’s digital potential,” Johnson Idesoh sums up the road ahead: “The future belongs to those who continuously adapt, collaborate, and innovate.”
Johnson spoke to Bizweek during his recent visit to Mauritius, sharing his vision of how digital transformation is reshaping banking across Africa. His perspective is one where technology is not a supporting function but the driving force behind financial inclusion, economic growth, and innovation on the continent.
“Technology must be the backbone of everything we do,” the Group Chief Information & Technology Officer explained. Banks that embrace this approach, he argued, deliver superior customer experiences at lower cost, reinvest more effectively, and stay ahead of their peers. “Our digital transformation is about creating value, for every customer, every small business owner, every corporate client. When customers prosper, our countries will grow economically.”
A landmark in this journey has been the partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS). The collaboration is accelerating cloud migration, strengthening resilience, and allowing faster innovation. But it is not only about technology, Johnson Idesoh argued: “Together, we are investing in people, communities, and the future of inclusive digital economies across Africa.”
Leadership lessons across borders
Reflecting on his global career, he highlighted lessons that now shape his leadership in Africa. “Transformation is a continuous journey; the concept of a start and end is a falsehood,” he said. Leaders, in his view, must articulate a clear direction, build momentum step by step, and maintain a deep understanding of customer needs. “The technology we have today was unimaginable a decade ago, but to make it relevant requires human-centred empathy. Everyone’s voice must be heard. Diversity of perspective is a strength.”
The group’s stated purpose — “Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together… one story at a time” — is the filter through which every digital investment is made. “Every investment must answer the question: Are we broadening access? Are we enabling inclusion? Are we creating opportunity?” Johnson Idesoh stressed.
From supporting SMEs through digital financing, to empowering young developers in tech academies, to enhancing cybersecurity, the focus is always the same: technology as a driver of inclusive growth.
Innovation on the Ground: Digi Accounts and Spark Business
Among the digital initiatives, Digi Accounts stand out. “The ability to open an account instantly via mobile, without visiting a branch, removes one of the major barriers to financial inclusion in Africa,” he explained. With smartphone penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa projected to reach 66% by 2025, he believes this kind of tool has “the potential to bring millions of people into the formal financial system.”
Mauritius has also been a proving ground for innovation. Spark Business, a merchant payments app now serving more than 500 merchants, is a striking example. “By enabling small businesses to accept payments digitally — via QR codes, cards, or e-commerce — these tools bring merchants into the formal financial system, reduce friction, and provide real-time insights,” he said. “For SMEs, such apps open growth avenues, extend customer reach, and strengthen resilience.”
Efficiency, trust, and tangible gains
In Mauritius, digitalisation has already delivered measurable results: over 18,000 employee hours saved and Rs 25 million in costs avoided in 2024. “Hours saved mean colleagues can focus on customers instead of repetitive tasks. Costs avoided prove that digital investment pays back in hard numbers,” the Group Chief Information & Technology Officer noted.
Customer trust is reflected in metrics too. “Our Customer Experience Index rose to 101 in 2024, and our Net Promoter Score improved by 18 points,” he said. Digital adoption grew by 14.2%, with 4.6 million customers actively using the platforms. Reliability has been a strong foundation: 99.98% uptime, with more than four years without a critical outage.
Regulation, security, and regional alignment
For Idesoh, regulators are partners in building the future of banking. “We don’t see regulation as a constraint but rather as a partnership,” he said, pointing to structured engagement through the Prudential Authority Supervisory College and participation in initiatives such as the South African Reserve Bank’s “Flavour of the Year” challenge.
Cybersecurity has been a central priority. “Protecting customer data is not just a compliance matter, it’s fundamental to trust,” he stressed. In 2024, the group’s Chief Security Office renewed its ISO 27001 certification, while employee training ensures awareness is embedded into everyday culture.
Looking ahead, regulatory harmonisation will be critical. “Regulatory harmonisation is a strategic enabler for unlocking Africa’s digital potential. Fragmented regulations slow scale. Initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Smart Africa provide frameworks for alignment, especially around digital ID, payments interoperability, and AML/CFT standards. Countries that embrace harmonisation will attract more investment and deliver seamless cross-border services, which is essential for Africa’s digital future,” Johnson Idesoh argued.
“Mauritius a natural centre of excellence for digital innovation”
Fintechs, big Tech, and the global context
“The relationship between banks and fintechs in Africa is evolving into one of collaboration,” Johnson Idesoh explained. Banks provide scale and regulatory expertise, while fintechs bring agility and design. Together, they can co-create solutions that are faster and more inclusive. Mauritius, with pilots such as Spark Business and Digi Accounts, has shown how local innovation can scale continent-wide.
Global markets offer lessons too. “Agility and customer obsession are not factors of size or scale; they are mindsets,” he observed. Countries like India demonstrate how digital payments adoption can be transformed when regulation, technology, and connectivity converge.
Emerging technologies: AI, blockchain, cloud
At group level, investment in emerging technologies is advancing rapidly. “Our approach to AI is human-centred and ethical,” Johnson Idesoh said. From boosting developer productivity by 40% with generative tools to predictive analytics in compliance, AI is being embedded across the enterprise.
Cloud migration is another priority: “Our internal target is to reach 50% cloud migration by 2026,” he confirmed, noting that this places the organisation above global averages though still behind leaders like DBS.
The next decade: disruption and opportunity
Looking to the next decade, Johnson Idesoh expects the sector to be reshaped by three forces: fintech innovation at the edge, big tech embedding financial services, and modernisation from within traditional banks. “At the centre of this is AI,” he said. “This shift is not optional. It’s essential for long-term sustainability. The future belongs to those who continuously adapt, collaborate, and innovate.”
Emerging technologies will add further dimensions. “As regulatory clarity improves, we see real potential to introduce services such as crypto trading, stablecoin payments, and tokenised deposits,” he explained. Deloitte indeed reports that 80% of global financial institutions are exploring tokenisation. A trend Africa will also embrace as infrastructure develops.
Mauritius as a Regional Hub
The Group Chief Information & Technology Officer highlighted the island’s distinctive role: “Mauritius is one of Africa’s most digitally mature markets, with a progressive regulatory framework and strong cross-border connectivity. It is a natural centre of excellence for digital innovation.”
As for his philosophy, when asked to encapsulate it, Johnson Idesoh said that “focusing digital transformation on outcomes that matter to clients, customers and colleagues is the way to remain relevant for any company going forward.”
