Angelica Pesha

The Chief Officer for Mobile Financial Services at Tigo Tanzania, a part of Axian Telecom, oversees the highly successful Tigo Pesa Mobile Money service, which has over 13 million customers, 300,000 merchants, and 200,000 agents. She acknowledges the challenges of leading a multimillion-dollar company, balancing responsibilities, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Despite the tough nature of her role, she emphasizes that Axian provides equal opportunities regardless of gender, and she has worked tirelessly to earn respect and recognition in her leadership journey.

As the first female and non-expatriate to head a business role in Tigo, Angelica successfully transformed the Tigo Pesa business unit into a full-fledged company. Her commitment and hard work were recognized when she was named among the top 50 women in management at the 2023 Africa Awards. This recognition, she says, increased her sense of responsibility, especially towards inspiring other women to step up and take on leadership roles.

Angelica encourages young women aspiring to leadership positions to always strive for excellence, stay focused, and never be afraid to take risks. She believes that having a clear vision, investing in personal growth, and seeking mentorship are critical to success. While her mentors have mostly been men, she emphasizes the need for more female mentors to support and guide other women in their careers. She also highlights the importance of balancing work, family, and social responsibilities to maintain a healthy equilibrium.

Raised with a strong belief in her abilities, Angelica credits much of her success to the encouragement she received from her father, who instilled in her the confidence to pursue any goal. She believes that hard work, tenacity, and continuous learning are essential to personal and professional growth. As a lifelong learner, Angelica embraces every opportunity to expand her knowledge and skills, constantly striving to become the best version of herself.