Co-founder and CEO of MoneyIN S.A.S., Arif Esa is often praised for his knowledge, attention to detail, and intellectual leadership abilities. He has gained significant experience in the fast-paced financial industry, cementing his position as an innovative leader and advisor. As the group CEO, Arif is responsible for leading strategic business development, financial structuring, enhancing client relationships, overseeing all business activities, managing change and programs, and guiding high-performing teams to success. His exceptional communication skills and exceptional attention to detail have consistently resulted in successful outcomes. Arif has earned the trust and respect of his clients and peers alike.
Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World’s Leaders and Arif Esa:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
Arif Esa and Vineet Pawaria are both exemplary leaders who inspire their teams to reach their full potential, both inside and outside of the workplace.
Arif Esa and Vineet Pawaria are visionary leaders who value creativity and innovation. They encourage people to think outside the box and are charismatic leaders who focus on building strong relationships. They also lead by example and are known for their work ethic and attention to detail.
Outside of work, Arif is also a mentor who takes the time to develop members’ skills and helps them reach their career goals. Vineet is a philanthropist who is passionate about giving back to the community. They are both avid travelers who enjoy exploring new cultures and cuisines.
Overall, both Arif Esa and Vineet Pawaria are leaders who inspire their teams and communities to be their best selves, both in the workplace and beyond. Their passion for excellence, commitment to their teams and communities, and dedication to making a positive impact on the world make them truly inspirational leaders.
Describe your background and what did you do before you started/joined the company?
Knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and an intellectual leader are just a few of the adjectives most often used to describe Arif Esa. With years of experience in the fast-paced financial industry, Arif has established himself as a powerhouse and an innovative leader and advisor.
In his current role as group CEO, Arif leads strategic business development, financial structuring, strengthened client relationships, oversees all business activities, manages change and programs, and guides the success of high-performing teams. He has consistently found success through his effective communication skills and unique ability to navigate the details. Arif has earned the trust and admiration of his clients and peers alike.
Arif has built and developed an exemplary professional career. From managing funds in excess of $3 billion USD and financial advisors for several government departments to boosting new financial structures to help raise funding in excess of $1 billion USD for infrastructure projects, he has taken on challenging roles across the industry and worked tirelessly to produce exceptional results.
He has worked as a chief financial officer, account executive, assistant manager, divisional guidance manager, vice president, board member, and chief executive officer. He worked tirelessly to expand his experience and financial acumen, which would guide him down the path into leadership and higher levels of responsibility. These roles have led him through the best organizations in the industry.
Vineet Pawaria is a seasoned professional from India with 25+ years of experience in business development, investment, operations, communication, international trading, negotiations, and worldwide banking. He has founded and invested in multiple organizations and worked in over 15 countries on all continents.
Starting his career after graduation, Vineet gained extensive knowledge and experience and built strong relationships with banks, diplomats, ministries, and corporate organizations. He successfully led a metal trading company for a significant period before transitioning into mining as a financial investor. As a CEO, he managed all mining, logistical, and commercial operations across various countries for over a decade.
Tell us about the inception of the company. How did it all start?
Arif and Vineet created moneyIN, a digital payment solution, to address the challenges of cash-based transactions in Morocco and Africa. They saw that Morocco and Africa had a large unbanked population, and many people faced difficulties accessing financial services. Additionally, traditional payment methods such as cash and checks are becoming inefficient and often result in delayed transactions. Arif and Vineet recognized the potential of digital payments to revolutionize the financial landscape in Morocco and Africa and improve the lives of millions of people. They saw an opportunity to provide a convenient, secure, and accessible digital payment solution that could help bridge the financial inclusion gap and bring more people into the formal economy.
What has made you successful? What do you value?
Arif and Vineet’s success can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, they identified a pressing problem in the Moroccan and African financial landscape and created a digital payment solution that addressed this issue. They were able to build a product that was convenient, reliable, and secure, which helped them gain a loyal customer base.
Secondly, Arif and Vineet demonstrated a deep understanding of the Moroccan and African markets and their unique challenges. They were able to navigate complex regulatory frameworks and build partnerships with key players in the financial ecosystem. Their ability to adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs has also contributed to their success.
Finally, Arif and Vineet value innovation, customer-centricity, and social impact. They are committed to using technology to create products that make people’s lives easier and drive financial inclusion. They also prioritize ethical business practices and have built a strong reputation for integrity and transparency. These values have helped them build a strong brand and a loyal customer base, which have been key to their success.
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company?
To further elaborate on our platform and some of the benefits we will bring towards the local economy, moneyIN has developed a mobile digital payment platform with great potential, offering transfer services and payment cash to cash, cash to account, cash to wallet, card to wallet, wallet to wallet, etc. with specific and exclusive solutions for all types of populations.
This will make us the first MOBILE all-in-one solution to cater to consumers, merchants, and enterprises.
Our technology will not only help boost the local economy, but also educate locals on the benefits of simple and reliable digital mobile solutions, support merchants and businesses in general by providing them with a solution tailored to their needs.
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes?
In our opinion, organizations should rely on both individual heroics and team processes. Individual heroics, such as exceptional performance or leadership skills, can certainly make a significant impact on achieving organizational goals. However, relying solely on individual heroics can lead to a culture of individualism where team members may not work collaboratively towards shared goals and the organization may suffer from a lack of coherence.
On the other hand, team processes such as communication, collaboration, and shared decision-making are essential for achieving collective success. Effective team processes can foster a culture of cooperation and innovation, leading to better problem-solving and higher-quality outcomes. However, relying solely on team processes can lead to a lack of accountability and individual responsibility, resulting in complacency and a lack of initiative.
Therefore, organizations should strike a balance between individual heroics and team processes, where individuals are encouraged to excel while working collaboratively towards shared goals. This can be achieved by promoting a culture of transparency, open communication, and shared accountability, where individual achievements are celebrated and team processes are optimized to achieve collective success.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
Arif Esa: Remember, leadership is not about being in charge; it’s about taking care of those in your charge. Listen, empower, and inspire your team, and you’ll be amazed at the heights you can reach together.
Vineet Pawaria: Remember, leadership is not about having all the answers, but rather about asking the right questions and empowering your team to find the solutions together.
