MAKOKO’S MISSION

“I was always interested in the complexity of money and how it works,” Makoko recalls, describing his journey into finance.

“I grew up in the townships where access to traditional banking was very different compared to commercial areas or the suburbs. People in the townships spend a lot of time doing banking but not with banks – money is physically moved around and what many see as normal financial services were simply concepts. I therefore quickly became interested in larger banks and what they were doing.

“Today I live in a completely different world, but this is still a point of interest for me. I have always been eager to find out how banks can better connect with rural areas and townships. People use their own methods, create small companies and are very entrepreneurial, and this drives me to think about how I can be an asset to them.”

Makoko’s remit at Absa CIB centres around three major responsibilities – cash management, trade services and working capital – solutions which help his clients to either sell products, distribute aid or buy commodities.