By Business Insider Reporter
Mixx Tanzania has appointed Louis-Olivier Favot as chief executive officer, succeeding Angelica Pesha after more than 15 years with the digital financial services business, as the company seeks to expand beyond mobile money payments into a broader range of financial solutions.
The leadership transition comes at a pivotal stage in Tanzania’s digital finance evolution, as mobile money, digital payments and technology-driven financial services become increasingly central to financial inclusion, business transactions and the country’s broader shift towards a cash-lite economy.
The company said Mr Favot brings 17 years of experience across banking, microfinance, mobile money and digital financial services, including 14 years in Sub-Saharan Africa. He joins Mixx Tanzania from MVola, AXIAN’s digital financial services business in Madagascar, where he served as chief executive officer and contributed to its development into the country’s first digital bank.
His appointment comes as Mixx enters a new phase of growth, seeking to strengthen its position in Tanzania’s competitive financial services market by broadening its range of solutions for individuals, merchants and businesses.
Erwan Gelebart, CEO of AXIAN Digibank & Fintech, said the company would build on the foundations established under Pesha’s leadership while welcoming Favot to guide its next phase of development.
From mobile money to broader fintech services
Ms Pesha’s departure closes a chapter that began during the early development of Tigo Pesa, when mobile money was changing how Tanzanians sent, received and managed money.
During her tenure, the business expanded beyond basic transfers to introduce services and capabilities including mobile-money interoperability, cross-border transfers, bank-wallet connectivity, international remittances, payments, savings and digital lending.
Appointed CEO in 2020, Ms Pesha subsequently led the business through its transition from Tigo Pesa to Mixx, alongside the development of its governance structures, operational systems and workforce.
Mr Gelebart credited her with building the business, together with her team, into a major player in Tanzania’s digital financial services market. Under her leadership, the company also earned multiple awards recognising its innovation and excellence in customer service.
In August 2026, Mixx received three recognitions at the TEHAMA Awards, including the Mobile Financial Services Innovation award, while Pesha received the Female ICT Leadership Award.
Mixx Tanzania, part of the AXIAN ecosystem, says it will maintain its focus on accessible, innovative and digitally enabled financial services under the new leadership. Mr Favot’s immediate challenge will be to turn that ambition into tangible improvements for customers and businesses while sustaining the trust and market position built during Pesha’s 15-year association with the company.
