Sofie has spanned technology development, system architecture, infrastructure delivery and business transformation and has built technology and businesses for eight major international banks, in 60 countries, with projects worth over USD 1bn. Sofie’s career includes writing two books and multiple research papers, delivering 5 core banking systems, multiple payment systems and transformation of Citigroup’s technology and retail operations. Sofie advises international organisations on sustainable applications of blockchain. She is Chair of the Edinburgh Futures Institute FI and Fintech advisory board and holds an MSc in Informatics. Sofie has twice been included in the Innovate Finance’s Women in Fintech Powerlist.
Transforming Financial Inclusion in Niger Niger is the one of the most undeveloped countries in the world, according to the UN’s Human Development Index. It’s a vast country, the largest in sub-Saharan Africa with a population density of just 14 per kms. Only 7% of people have bank accounts, and they’re… Read More »Financially and Culturally Excluded — but Growing Business with Blockchain
Nous sommes très fiers d’avoir été sélectionnés comme l’un des the Inclusive Fintech 50 – un concours mondial visant à élever les fintechs en phase de démarrage conduisant à l’inclusion financière. Le concours a été annoncé par la Fondation MetLife et Visa Inc., avec IFC, un groupe mondial à but… Read More »hiveonline est l’un des “Inclusive Fintech 50”
February saw us returning to Niger to meet with customers and prospective partners in the country, with great support from CARE Niger and CARE Denmark. Meeting customer groups is always a priority for us. On this visit we were happy to reconvene with a VSLA federation in the City of… Read More »Connecting with the female entrepreneurs in Niger
En février, nous sommes retournés au Niger pour rencontrer des clients et des partenaires potentiels dans le pays, avec le soutien de CARE Niger et de CARE Danemark. Rencontrer des groupes de clients est toujours une priorité pour nous. Lors de cette visite, nous avons eu le plaisir de nous… Read More »connexion avec les femmes entrepreneurs au niger
According to the World Bank, “Financial inclusion means that individuals and businesses have access to useful and affordable financial products and services that meet their needs – transactions, payments, savings, credit and insurance – delivered in a responsible and sustainable way.” Written by Sofie Blakstad Today, around 1.7 billion adults don’t… Read More »What is financial inclusion and why is it important?
The place of technology has transformed in our lifetime, moving from the mainframe to the palm of our hands. Once it meant efficiency, but now it’s enabling our lives, and whole economies, to change. In the 1970s, my mother was a COBOL programmer, working for Hammersmith Council. There were sandbags… Read More »Fintech Revolution: From Data Management to the New Financial Ecosystem
hiveonline has been selected as European finalist in the MIT Inclusive Innovation Challenge, who award over one million dollars in prizes each year to innovators supporting the future of work. hiveonline is one of three innovative companies selected in this category from companies across the whole of Europe. “We’re deeply… Read More »hiveonline finalist in MIT Inclusive Innovation Challenge
Thanks to all of you who have pre-ordered our forthcoming book, Fintech Revolution: Universal Inclusion in the New Financial Ecosystem (Palgrave Macmillan). We’ve got some good news for you, thanks to popular demand the price in the US has now dropped. Anyone who’s pre-ordered it will pay the new, lower… Read More »Fintech Revolution: Price drop alert!
We’ve seen a lot of movement in government’s attitudes to fintech and cryptocurrencies over the course of the last two years, and the UN Environment Programme’s Inquiry into a Sustainable Financial Future, driven by Simon Zadek and Nick Robins, has been pivotal in driving the change from lack of awareness,… Read More »G20 Sustainable Finance Study Group
We’re working on several projects for developing economies in the background, and a theme that’s emerging is the need for automation, auditing and removing friction from microfinance solutions. With Microfinance Institutions providing loans to one of every ten people on the planet, and charging an average 40% interest, they’re both… Read More »New whitepaper on hiveonline’s microfinance solution