Natalie Jabangwe
| Natalie Jabangwe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Natalie Payidamwoyo Jabangwe |
| Education | Middlesex University, |
| Alma mater | Imperial College London, |
| Occupation | |
| Known for | General Manager and executive head of EcoCash |
| Spouse(s) | Daniel Morris |
| Children | Makatendeka |
Natalie Jabangwe is a Zimbabwean business executive who is the General Manager and Executive Head of mobile money company EcoCash. A computer engineer by profession, Jabangwe became the youngest chief executive to run a mobile money business in Africa. Natalie is also a published business technology columnist on online platforms who contributes to the worldwide body of knowledge and advises conglomerates on how to apply technology as a pillar for corporate innovation.[1]
Background
Natalie was born in Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom to Zimbabwean parents in 1983. She is the only girl out of five children. Natalie moved back to her home country at the age of one. She went to boarding school for her primary education at Dudley Hall in Norton at the age of nine. She then went to Chinhoyi High School for her secondary education, till Upper Six. she was a school prefect, captain of the Hockey team.[1]
Natalie is married to Daniel Morris and they have one child Makatendeka (Popina)[1]
Education
Soon after her A’ Levels, Natalie moved back to England, where she intended to pursue a degree in Law. However, her parents objected and encouraged her to decline an offer at a top law school to pursue a degree in computer science instead. She then attended Middlesex University. While in her second year, Natalie received a Leadership Exchange scholarship for the most excelling female student, a scholarship which earned her a place at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. While at Spelman, Natalie interned at the Mayor’s office, where she was responsible for developing the City of Atlanta’s first IT Security policies. After working for a few years, she enrolled at Imperial College London, to pursue an MBA.
Econet Wireless
In 2012, Natalie was head hunted by Econet Wireless in Zimbabwe, and presented with the opportunity to head the business and market development of EcoCash.[1]
World Economic Forum' community of Young Global Leaders' nomination
In May 2018 writing on her Twitter page Natalie said she had been selected by World Economic Forum to join the Top 100 Young Global Leaders's community. The World economic forum confirmed Natalie's tweets with the following statement on their website
One hundred of the world’s most promising artists, business leaders, public servants, technologists and social entrepreneurs have been asked to join the World Economic Forum’s community of Young Global Leaders. They are joining a community and five-year programme that will challenge them to think beyond their scope of expertise and be more impactful leaders. They were nominated because of their ground-breaking work, creative approaches to problems and ability to build bridges across cultures and between business, government and civil society.
Zimbabwe Presidential Advisory Council
In January 2019, following mass protests and violent crackdown on citizens by the government in, Jabangwe was appointed to a 23-member Presidential Advisory Board.
