Ready to Learn? Early Lessons from Gateway Academy on Launching an eLearning Program

Human capacity is a critical component of delivering financial services, yet many financial service providers (FSPs), particularly those targeting the poor in developing countries, consistently struggle to develop and manage their human capital. Overcoming the sector’s capacity constraints requires new and innovative approaches. Gateway Academy, an initiative developed by CGAP in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, is using eLearning to scale up existing human capital development efforts for financial inclusion by working with Training Service Providers (TSPs) in seven target Sub-Saharan African countries — Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi,  Rwanda, Uganda, and Ghana.

In the last year, Gateway Academy has tested five courses with more than a dozen FSPs. While the program is still at an early stage, Gateway Academy has observed common opportunities and obstacles as FSPs launch their eLearning programs. Join Gateway Academy’s market development officer and thought leaders from two different FSPs as they share what they have learned to date around key factors including:

• Organizational culture
• Leadership and engaged learning champions
• Technical infrastructure and equipment
• Human, financial and physical resources

Target Audiences: Financial Service Providers (FSPs), Training Service Providers (TSPs), eLearning Practitioners, and Organizational Development and Capacity Building Practitioners.

SPEAKER BIOS

Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah
Institution: Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited

Kwaku Aboagye Acquaah drives the Learning and Development function at Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited. He is a Senior Human Resources professional with over ten years Generalist and Specialist experience gained with top multinational and indigenous Banks in Ghana. Kwaku has breadth and depth of experience across Learning and Performance, Talent and Succession Management, Career Development, Employee Engagement, Industrial Relations, Resourcing, Graduate Management programs and Organizational Development. After joining Fidelity Bank Ghana in 2013 he initiated, developed and implemented Fidelity Bank’s learning culture and strategy. Kwaku strives to find new and innovative ways to make people learn and be effective in their working environments which leads to increased organizational growth and strength.

Tausi Nasamu
Institution: AB Bank, Zambia

Tausi Nasamu is employed at AB Bank Zambia as Management and Technical Trainer. Her role includes managing all training activities of the Bank as well delivering of trainings such as Credit and Soft skills Trainings. Previously, she worked in the Credit department in different roles in the organization, including supervising and coaching Credit Group Leaders as a Senior Group Leader. Tausi is University Graduate from the Copperbelt University in Zambia where she attained a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning. She also certified in Management Development through the Access Campus Learning Centre in Germany.

Josephine Kibe
Institution: Gateway Academy

In her role as Operations Officer for the Gateway Academy, Josephine Kibe is responsible for the market development of the Gateway Academy and for reaching out to financial service providers who will be using the online learning platform. Previously, Josephine was an educator with Strathmore Business College in Nairobi and also worked in the Kenyan banking industry. Josephine has a PhD in Economics from Fordham University and an undergraduate degree from Kenyatta University in Nairobi.

Kristy Amacker (Moderator)
Institution: Gateway Academy

Kristy Amacker is a knowledge management specialist and web strategist with CGAP’s Gateway Academy. Kristy has worked with USAID on a range of online knowledge management initiatives. Prior to her work with USAID, Kristy advised educational organizations on their online presences and applications. These included United Way Worldwide, the Wallace Foundation, the Gates Foundation, the Aspen Institute, and the Annenberg Institute for School Reform. Kristy holds an undergraduate degree from Mount Holyoke College and a Masters from the University of Virginia.