The man with a Vision to Bring Financial Inclusion to One Billion People and Empower Africa

When Bassim Haidar speaks about Africa, those who have worked with him describe an unwavering conviction.

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Bassim Haidar

For him, inclusion has always been more than a slogan; it is a strategy rooted in technology, data, and empathy. His mission to bring financial access to one billion Africans has already transformed millions of lives, and as the world's economic spotlight turns toward Africa, the next chapter of that mission is only beginning.

From Humble Beginnings to a Global Vision

Born in Nigeria to Lebanese parents, Haidar's identity was shaped by two worlds. His childhood in Africa instilled resilience and adaptability, while his youth in Lebanon exposed him to entrepreneurship and discipline. When his family lost everything, he learned that access to opportunity was often the difference between despair and reinvention.

At just 20 years old, he co-founded Intercomm Ltd, followed by GMT Nigeria and Channel IT, companies that helped build the telecom infrastructure underpinning much of modern Africa. The experience taught him that while connectivity could unite people, empowerment required financial access.

Pioneering the Use of Al for Financial Inclusion