BFA Global has announced the appointment of Prateek Shrivastava as its new Managing Director, marking a significant step in the organization’s mission to advance inclusive finance and technology-driven development. Shrivastava brings over three decades of experience across 40 countries, combining expertise in global technology, digital transformation, and venture building. His leadership is expected to guide BFA Global through its next phase of innovation and impact in emerging markets.
A Career Spanning Technology and Development
Shrivastava began his career as a technologist before pivoting to applying technology for development in 2004. Over the years, he has led projects that connected markets, institutions, and people, creating scalable solutions for underserved communities. His approach has consistently focused on combining commercial strategy with social impact to expand access to essential services.
Leadership Roles and Achievements
In his role as Managing Director of Monitise Emerging Markets, Shrivastava pioneered shared mobile infrastructure across Africa and Asia, a move that laid the groundwork for digital financial inclusion in those regions. He later co-founded BeyondBranches in Nigeria, which evolved into Interswitch Financial Inclusion Services, and advised development finance institutions, governments, and corporations on digital innovation. These experiences established his reputation as a leader in applying frontier technologies to development challenges.
Work at Accion and Global Reach
From 2015 to 2023, Shrivastava served as Vice President of Digital at Accion, where he led the Mastercard-Accion Partnership. Under his leadership, the initiative reached more than 30 million people worldwide, expanding access to financial tools and services. He also played a key role in designing the $152.5 million Accion Digital Transformation Fund, reinforcing his ability to align capital with impactful innovation.
Recent Ventures and Board Roles
Most recently, Shrivastava co-founded EMpact, a venture studio focused on inclusive innovation in Guatemala and Côte d’Ivoire, and launched soilnet.ai, an experimental platform using IoT and AI for agriculture. He also serves on the board of Annapurna Finance in India, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to strengthening financial inclusion globally. These initiatives reflect his deep interest in leveraging cutting-edge technology for social good.
Alignment with BFA Global’s Mission
Shrivastava’s appointment comes at a time when BFA Global is expanding its work in climate resilience, livelihoods, and venture building. His experience in early-stage ventures and artificial intelligence aligns with the organization’s focus on addressing systemic challenges in emerging markets. By combining commercial acumen with impact-driven innovation, Shrivastava is expected to accelerate BFA Global’s ability to deliver solutions for low-income and vulnerable communities.
Leadership Transition
Alongside this leadership change, Amolo Ng’weno transitions from Managing Director to Chair of BFA Global. She will continue to provide strategic oversight while maintaining her role as General Partner of the Catalyst Fund. Ng’weno’s continued involvement ensures continuity in the organization’s mission and support for programmatic initiatives.
The appointment of Prateek Shrivastava as Managing Director signals a pivotal moment for BFA Global as it seeks to expand its role in shaping inclusive innovation worldwide. His track record in digital transformation, venture building, and impact-driven leadership equips him to lead the organization into a new era of growth. With the support of Ng’weno as Chair, BFA Global is well-positioned to strengthen its efforts in building resilient, inclusive, and technology-driven solutions across emerging markets.