MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / Archives for business

business

Hat-Trick of Honours: TransUnion Commitment to a People-First Culture in Africa Shines

Location: Business

TransUnion’s South Africa, Kenya and Global Capability Centre Africa (GCC Africa) have again been certified as Top Employers in Africa by the Top Employers Institute (TEI). This recognition reaffirms the global information and insights company’s commitment to a people-first culture, continuous growth and a high-performance workplace. It also marks the sixth consecutive year of recognition for South Africa and the fourth for Kenya and the GCC Africa — clear evidence of sustained investment in people, leadership and culture.

“Being recognised for the sixth year in South Africa is a strong endorsement of our consistent people practices,” said Lee Naik, CEO of TransUnion Africa. “We remain focused on building a culture grounded in trust, inclusion and leadership development because business success starts with empowered people.”

The TEI certification follows a rigorous HR Best Practices Survey across six domains and 20 topics, including People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Wellbeing. TransUnion’s recognition reflects a people strategy deeply aligned with its business objectives and purpose. Employees play an active role in shaping strategies through structured engagement, continuous listening and feedback loops that build trust and alignment across the organisation.

Agile workforce planning helps anticipate future skills needs, ensuring employees are supported to build capabilities that allow them to thrive in a fast-changing environment. Flexibility and trust remain central to the work experience. Employees are empowered to manage how and where they work, guided by clear hybrid policies and supported by collaborative spaces that encourage connection and innovation.

Wellbeing is embedded in everyday work design. Initiatives include wellness days, protected time to disconnect and wellness weeks focused on holistic health. Regular assessments ensure these programmes remain relevant and responsive. Psychological safety is also a priority, in an environment where employees feel free to speak up, share ideas and collaborate openly, fueling innovation and belonging.

Leadership development is a cornerstone of TransUnion’s approach in which a clear strategy and competency framework guide growth, supported by measurable outcomes and feedback. Career development is actively promoted through internal mobility, mentoring and sponsored learning opportunities. In 2025, more than one in ten employees advanced through internal promotions, underscoring the company’s commitment to building long-term careers. Within the GCC Africa, investment in learnerships and early-career programmes continue to nurture future leaders and expand access to employment opportunities, strengthening talent sustainability.

“Our people are central to how we deliver impact at scale,” said Shobana Maikoo, Head of GCC Africa. “This recognition reflects our focus on growing skills, developing leaders and creating an environment where individuals feel supported and connected.”

Continued certification across South Africa, Kenya and GCC Africa highlights a consistent, integrated approach to people strategy and workplace culture across regions. In 2026, the Top Employers Institute certified more than 2,400 organisations in 125 countries, positively impacting over 13 million employees worldwide. TransUnion’s inclusion among this group underscores its commitment to excellence in people practices across Africa.

Read moreHat-Trick of Honours: TransUnion Commitment to a People-First Culture in Africa Shines

TransUnion Continues to Lead with Innovative People Practices in Africa

Location: Business

Global information and insights company TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) has once again been recognised as a Top Employer in Africa by the Top Employers Institute (TEI). This marks the fifth consecutive year that TransUnion South Africa has received this prestigious certification, with TransUnion Kenya and the TransUnion Global Capability Centre (GCC) Africa being honoured for the third consecutive year.

"Leading TransUnion Africa across eight countries has taught us that true transformation happens when we invest in people first. Our commitment to solving problems that matter has delivered tangible positive impact. This year we launched a groundbreaking middle manager development programme with Duke Corporate Education for high-performing associates, we advanced financial inclusion initiatives reaching millions across Africa and achieved 55% women representation across our employee base. Additionally, we've strengthened mental health support systems for our teams. The impact on our culture, innovation, relevance, and results is tightly correlated with our investment in making our business a great work environment for our employees and prospective recruits," said Lee Naik, CEO of TransUnion Africa.

Championing Diversity and Inclusion

“TransUnion GCC Africa, a fully virtual employer, has grown to almost 1,000 employees in just under four years. The TEI certification acknowledges our commitment to excellence in every aspect of our operations. We have built a highly skilled and motivated team by continuing to invest significantly in our people through initiatives such as sponsored education and learnerships. To date, we’ve spent R12+ million on sponsored education and external training, and had 278 learners go through our learnership programme — 55% were female, 68% have either been absorbed into full time employment or are currently finishing the programme. This creates career growth opportunities while supporting our mission to deliver premium experiences for TransUnion’s clients and consumers in 30+ countries," said Shobana Maikoo, Head of the GCC Africa.

Benchmarking Excellence in HR Practices

The Top Employers Institute programme certifies organisations based on the participation and results of their HR Best Practices Survey. This survey covers six HR domains consisting of 20 topics including People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Wellbeing and more. TransUnion's consistent recognition by TEI reflects its commitment to excellence and continuous improvement in HR practices.

The programme has certified and recognised only 2,400 Top Employers in 125 countries/regions across five continents.

Read moreTransUnion Continues to Lead with Innovative People Practices in Africa

TransUnion Africa Appoints Lindani Dube to Spearhead HR Leadership

Location: Business

Global information and insights company TransUnion Africa is pleased to announce the appointment of Lindani Dube as Chief Human Resources Officer and Vice President of TransUnion Africa, leading TransUnion’s operations across Africa, effective 6 January 2025.

Dube brings over 20 years of experience driving growth, HR effectiveness, and cultural transformation for multinational organisations across Sub-Sahara Africa, East and West Africa, and Europe. Her strategic leadership, combined with her passion for people development, positions her as a dynamic force in spearheading innovation and growth at TransUnion in Africa.

In her new role, Dube will oversee all HR functions across TransUnion’s Africa-based markets and centres, including GCC Africa, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s vision and business goals.

In her distinguished career, Dube has held executive HR roles at LafargeHolcim, MultiChoice, General Electric, Worley Parsons, and Howden Africa Holdings. She has led essential cultural transformation initiatives, significantly improved organisational performance, and championed diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes. Notably, her strategic acumen has delivered measurable results, including optimising workforce structures, negotiating impactful agreements, and driving business efficiencies.

Lee Naik, CEO of TransUnion Africa, commented: “Lindani is an extraordinary leader with a proven track record of aligning HR strategies to business outcomes. Her innovative approach to unlocking talent and driving cultural transformation will undoubtedly elevate TransUnion’s mission of delivering ‘Information for Good.’ We look forward to the energy and expertise she will bring to our teams across Africa.”

Dube is equally enthusiastic about her new role, saying: “I am excited to join an organisation that prioritises growth, innovation, and people development. I look forward to contributing to TransUnion’s vision by driving impactful HR strategies that build a culture of excellence, inclusion, and empowerment.”

Dube holds a Master’s in Business Leadership (Strategic HR Management) from UNISA School of Business Leadership and a postgraduate business management diploma. She is an accredited coach and an active member of professional bodies, including the Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA).

Read moreTransUnion Africa Appoints Lindani Dube to Spearhead HR Leadership

More Than Two-Thirds of South Africans Said They Were Recently Targeted With Fraud

Location: Business
  • 68% of South Africans reported they were targeted by email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud from August to December 2024 but did not become a victim
  • Phishing, smishing and third-party seller scams on legitimate retail websites were the most frequently cited methods consumers said fraudsters used to trick them
  • In 2024, gaming (online betting, poker etc) had the highest suspected digital fraud attempt rate in South Africa

Sixty-eight percent of South Africans TransUnion surveyed from 21 November to 9 December 2024 indicated that they had been targeted by email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud in the last three months, with 13% saying that they had become victims. Among those who said they were targeted, the most common reported schemes were phishing, where fraudulent emails, websites, social posts or QR codes are meant to steal personal data (33%), smishing where fraudulent text messages try to trick the user into sharing data (31%), and third-party scams on legitimate online retail sites (28%).

In a separate question in that same survey, one third (33%) said that they had lost money to email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud in the last year. Nearly one third (32%) of those who said they lost money reported it happening via third-party seller scams on legitimate online retail sites. This was followed by 26% who lost money via money mule scams where users are solicited to transfer or move illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else, and 23% who lost money via stolen credit card or fraudulent charges.

These and other findings came from research used for building the newly released TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) H1 2025 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud Report, which shows how South African consumers continue to be targeted by fraudsters through a wide range of channels.

“With South Africa having the second greatest number of smartphone connections in Sub-Saharan Africa, with people using mobile phones to conduct their everyday business, connect with friends, or keep in touch with family, it’s easy to understand why digital fraud would be such a common tactic among fraudsters targeting this region,” said Amritha Reddy, senior director of fraud solutions at TransUnion Africa. "While cybercriminals will attack at any time using any channel, they appear to focus on channels most popular in the regions they are targeting.”

Nearly one third (31%) South African respondents indicated that they were not aware of being targeted by email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud at all, which raises questions as to whether these respondents were in fact targeted, yet simply unaware of the threat.

Based on the TransUnion study, South Africa had the greatest percentage of respondents among countries surveyed in Africa who said they fell victim to email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud in the second half of 2024. In contrast, Zambia had the lowest percentage of consumers who said they fell victim to fraud in the countries surveyed in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Table 1: Fraud Types Most Frequently Used to Target Consumers in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Last Three Months

Country Targeted and fell victim Targeted but didn’t fall victim Not targeted Most reported fraud scheme
South Africa 13% 55% 31% Phishing
Kenya 11% 71% 19% Smishing
Namibia 11% 52% 37% Vishing
Rwanda 10% 57% 33% Money mule
Zambia 9% 70% 21% Smishing

   Source: TransUnion Consumer Pulse Survey of 1,000 people in South Africans in December 2024

Communities and Video Gaming Among Top Industries Targeted by Suspected Digital Fraud

Globally, TransUnion determined that communities (online forums and dating sites) experienced the highest rate of suspected digital fraud[1] attempts in 2024. Nearly 12% of all attempted transactions within communities last year were suspected to be digital fraud. This was closely followed by video gaming (11%), with gaming (including online betting, poker, etc.) at 8% and retail (8%) rounding out the top four.

The logistics industry, which has seen growth in shipping fraud (often perpetrated by organised crime rings), saw the greatest suspected digital fraud volume growth globally in 2024, up more than 100% over 2023. That being said, the fraud rate remains at a relatively modest 3%. Gaming also saw a significant year-over-year (YoY) volume change, up 20%. Telecommunications (-79%), insurance (-29%) and video gaming (-23%) saw the greatest decreases in suspected digital fraud volume YoY.

“Digital fraud on community platforms is by no means a new phenomenon. In 2024, it appears that fraudsters targeted these areas with a renewed vigour,” said Reddy. “Cybercriminals take advantage of the trust inherent on community-based platforms, and target members with a wide range of scammer solicitations, the most reported type of digital fraud in communities.”

For attempted transactions where the consumer or fraudster was located in South Africa, gaming experienced the highest suspected digital fraud rate in 2024 at 6.3% with an 8.1% decrease in the volume of suspected digital fraud from 2023. The only South African industries in which suspected digital fraud increased YoY were insurance and communities.

“It is encouraging to see that attempts at digital fraud have decreased across all but two of the surveyed industries in South Africa,” Reddy says. “Organisations that draw on identity, device and behavioural insights to help them interact with legitimate consumers while mitigating fraud risk are more likely to protect themselves and their customers from the scourge of digital fraud.”

Table 2: Highest Digital Fraud Rates Across Leading Industries in South Africa

Industry

Suspected digital fraud attempt rate 2024

Change in volume of suspected digital fraud attempts from 2023 to 2024
Gaming

6.3%

-8.1%
Telecommunications

6.2%

-58.5%
Financial services

6.1%

-29.6%
Video gaming

6.0%

-67.2%
Insurance

5.6%

166.5%
Communities

5.0%

4.0%
Retail

2.9%

-8.9%
Travel & leisure

0.5%

-87.0%

Source: TransUnion TruValidate™

Fraud Comes with a Heavy Cost to Consumers

Consumers faced significant losses due to fraud. Among consumers TransUnion surveyed in 18 countries and regions in November and December 2024, 29% said they lost money due to email, online, phone call or text messaging fraud in the last year. The survey determined that the median amount those consumers said they lost due to fraud in the past year was R32,447. For those who said they lost money due to fraud in South Africa, the median stated amount lost was R12,518[2].

TransUnion came to its conclusions about digital fraud based on intelligence from TransUnion TruValidate.

Specific country and regional data in the report includes South Africa, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zambia. Download the TransUnion H1 2025 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud Report for more information and insights about the global fraud trends.
 

[1] The rate or percentage of suspected digital fraud attempts reflects those which TransUnion customers determined met one of the following conditions: 1) denial in real time due to fraudulent indicators, 2) denial in real time for corporate policy violations, 3) fraudulent upon customer investigation, or 4) a corporate policy violation upon customer investigation — compared to all transactions assessed. The country and regional analyses examined transactions in which the consumer or suspected fraudster was located in a select country or region when conducting a transaction. Global statistics represents every country worldwide and not just the select countries and regions.

[2] Based on the exchange rate on 6 Jan. 2025

Read moreMore Than Two-Thirds of South Africans Said They Were Recently Targeted With Fraud

New Telco-Powered Credit Score Set to Transform Access to Finance for Millions of South Africans

Location: Business
  • TransUnion Africa, MTN and its digital platform business, Chenosis, are collaborating to harness mobile network data, setting a new standard for financial inclusion and responsible lending
  • A new alternative scoring solution, powered by Call Data Records (CDR), will help millions of financially excluded South Africans gain access to credit
  • By incorporating non-traditional data based on consumer consent, lenders can make more accurate and fair credit decisions, reducing risk while increasing approval rates

TransUnion Africa, in partnership with MTN and Chenosis, has launched CreditVision® Telco Data Score, a first-of-its-kind credit scoring solution that uses mobile phone call data records to help millions of South Africans with limited or no formal credit history gain access to financial services.

This alternative data scoring model leverages Call Data Records (CDR), which reflect patterns in mobile phone network usage behaviour and correlates it to an individual’s financial behaviour. By using telco data as a proxy for financial reliability, the CreditVision Telco Data Score enables lenders to accurately assess New-to-Credit (NTC) consumers and expand access to safe, affordable credit.

Helping the Financially Excluded

According to TransUnion estimates, over 1.4 million credit-invisible South Africans open new credit accounts each year, contributing to more than four million new accounts over the past three years. Yet traditional scoring models often fail to assess this segment accurately, leaving more than 16 million adults outside the formal credit system.

Approximately 35% of New-to-Credit consumers are under the age of 25, many of whom are new to the workforce and often use credit to buy clothing for work, highlighting the need for innovative tools that support younger, digitally active individuals who may lack a conventional credit footprint. Successfully integrating these and other excluded consumers into the economy could add approximately R173 billion1 to South Africa's GDP.

“With over 500 million2 people across the continent excluded from formal financial systems, the scale of the challenge is undeniable. Traditional data models fail to reflect the realities of African consumers, leaving millions without access to credit and the opportunities it enables. Financial inclusion isn’t just part of our mission, it’s our mandate,” said Lee Naik, CEO of TransUnion Africa. “That’s why we believe the only way forward is to think differently, to lead with bold, African-born solutions. Innovations like CreditVision Telco Data Score, designed for Africa, by Africa, are helping us responsibly harness mobile data at scale. In doing so, we’re not only expanding access to credit, but we’re also unlocking economic potential, accelerating inclusive growth, and reshaping the future of finance across the continent.”

Creating Opportunity with Consent and Compliance

The use of CDR data is subject to explicit consumer consent and is managed in compliance with South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). MTN is responsible for consent management and will ensure that Chenosis, MTN’s API marketplace, facilitates the connection between MTN’s data ecosystem and partners like TransUnion in a secure and scalable manner.

“This partnership demonstrates how mobile technology and secure data sharing can support positive change in the financial sector and unlock new opportunities for millions of South Africans,” said Selorm Adadevoh, Group Chief Commercial Officer, MTN Group. “We are committed to ensuring that data is used responsibly, with the customer’s interests at the forefront. This is a model of what responsible innovation can look like.”

Empowering Lenders and Growing the Economy

For lenders, the CreditVision Telco Data Score has demonstrated a 25–35% improvement in predictive performance over previous alternative data models, based on recent pre-launch validations across the retail and banking sectors.

By adopting CreditVision Telco Data Score, lenders can better predict user behaviour and support responsible lending by ensuring that credit users at risk of default are not overexposed and can be effectively supported throughout their credit journey.

Importantly, the product also helps New-to-Credit consumers establish and build their credit footprint over time. According to TransUnion data, low-risk individuals significantly increase their credit exposure within 18 months of becoming credit active, underscoring the long-term benefits of responsible financial inclusion strategies.

“With Chenosis, we enable collaboration between mobile operators and solution providers while maintaining high security and compliance standards,” said Waseem Amra, Head of Products and Platforms, Chenosis. “This partnership highlights how secure data access can support innovation in financial services that can transform lives.”

This partnership between TransUnion Africa, MTN, and Chenosis reflects the growing trend of using diverse data sources to create more accurate and inclusive financial access. Integrating mobile network insights into credit scoring provides a practical and scalable way to reach more individuals, while maintaining high standards of privacy and compliance.

“With this inclusive innovation, TransUnion has taken the lead in creating an impactful solution to one of the continent’s most pressing challenges – finding responsible pathways to greater financial inclusion that will unlock opportunities for individual and national growth. By turning mobile data into meaningful opportunity, we have set the standard in making transformation possible by showing how technology can be used in groundbreaking alternative ways. Together with MTN and Chenosis, we are building a future where every South African, regardless of their financial history, has the chance to be seen, to be trusted, and to thrive,” Naik concluded. “When financial institutions can measure risk more effectively, they can lend more confidently, and more consumers can access opportunity, and that’s a win for everyone.”

1. Based on TransUnion’s modelling and interpretation of economic market dynamics. 2. Source: The Global Findex Database 2021

Read moreNew Telco-Powered Credit Score Set to Transform Access to Finance for Millions of South Africans