Season 14 Episode 12

Pivendren Naik on solving Africa’s digital skills gap

10 March 2026 · 18:18 min

In this episode of Business Talk, we unpack one of the biggest constraints facing Africa’s digital financial services revolution — the talent pipeline. Pivendren Naik, Tech Lead at Sanlam (CIO), shares insights into how the industry has evolved from simply providing access to financial services to… building deeper, more intelligent, and customer-focused systems. As AI, cloud, and automation reshape the landscape, innovation is no longer just about slick interfaces — it’s about modernising legacy systems, improving interoperability, and building resilient digital infrastructure.

The conversation explores how the skills required in this fast-evolving sector are rapidly changing, why traditional education models may no longer be enough, and how tighter collaboration between industry, academia, and government could help close the digital skills gap. From the risks of hollowed-out entry-level roles to the promise of interconnected financial ecosystems, this is a forward-looking discussion on what Africa’s digital economy could become — if we get the talent equation right. Show more