Evelyn Namara is a technology entrepreneur with over 10 years of leading systematic change in social entrepreneurship and digital technology, driving innovation for small businesses.
Currently working at the coalface of African technology and finance, her passion is creating solutions that impact societies and communities.
She is also the senior programs manager at the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership, where she was previously the senior partnerships manager and researcher.
True to her desire to create change, Ms Namara founded Vouch a fintech start-up working towards simplifying the distribution and supply-chain management of goods and services across the world. The technology fuels transparency and traceability in the distribution and disbursement of life-changing goods and services worldwide, eliminating the need for intermediaries who often reduce value in the supply chain.
Vouch’s e-voucher/coupon-based system is used by development agencies running cash-based interventions, governments managing social programs, as well as corporate companies seeking to reward and retain customers through promotions and loyalty programmes.
Back home (Uganda), Ms Namara led multiple technologies for development projects and has worked in the telecommunications industry, renewable energy sector, digital payments, and tech start-ups.
From Luuka to the Netherlands: The Rise of a Farmer Redefining Agribusiness in UgandaShe is also a non-executive Director for MTN Mobile Money Uganda Limited & KCB Bank Uganda, a subsidiary of the KCB Group Limited. She also serves as a board member for Village Enterprise, which is on a mission to end extreme poverty for 20 million women, men, and children by 2030.
Ms Namara’s expertise includes leadership, business development, ICT policy & advocacy, vision, strategy & execution, team-building, community engagement, communications, project management, program management, marketing, emerging markets, social entrepreneurship, impact assessment, storytelling, growth strategy, mission & values.
Recognitions
Owing to her work, Ms Namara has been honoured with several awards. These include:
- Honouree, MIPAD Top 100 Most Influential People of African Descent Under 40, Business & Entrepreneurship Class of 2018, UN
- Finalist Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards, 2018
- Outstanding Woman in Innovation, MTN Innovation Awards, 2017
- The current chair of the Anita Borg Change Agent Awards selection committee
- Anita Borg Change Agent Award Winner, 2012 recognised for her role in empowering women and girls in technology
- Acumen East African Fellow, 2012
- IDEX fellow, 2015
- IamTheCODE Ambassador
- A Cartier Women’s Initiative Award finalist for Sub-Saharan Africa
- A third-place winner in the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) awards, under the best agri-entrepreneur award category.
Education
- BSc in Computer Science – Makerere University
- Diploma in Sustainable business and responsible leadership, sustainability studies – Swedish Institute Management Programme
- INSEAD Social Entrepreneurship Programme –INSEAD
- Diploma in Information Technology – Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Tech
- CISCO Certified Network Associate – Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Tech
