As Kuda turns five, the fintech company says it is intentional about inclusion, diversity and equity within its workforce and is actively trying to hire more female engineers and product managers into leadership roles.
Kuda’s software development team now has 29-percent female representation with its quality assurance engineering team having 65-percent female representation. Kuda has also increased the number of women on its product team by 3 percent within the past year through a recruitment model designed to prioritise inclusion.
As reported in 2020 by McKinsey & Company, companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25 percent more likely to have above-average profitability compared to companies in the fourth quartile. A report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) found that 74 percent of companies that track gender diversity in management report a profit increase of 5 percent to 20 percent.
Kuda has consistently championed inclusivity, recognising the crucial role it plays in fostering innovation and driving business success. In 2023, the fintech company set up a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee that develops and implements policies, raises awareness, and organises training to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
As part of its efforts to diversify its engineering and product teams, Kuda fine-tuned its school-to-workplace internship program to reach young engineers and product managers, equipping them with essential skills to advance their careers.
Speaking on the importance Kuda places on inclusivity, Siseko Dastile, who heads Kuda’s DEI committee said, “We are committed to fostering a healthy work environment where everyone, regardless of gender, can achieve their career and personal aspirations.”
Investing in women’s skill development is another part of Kuda’s inclusion strategy. In 2022, the fintech company sponsored twenty young women to attend the Africa Girls In Tech bootcamp in partnership with Africa Agility. This program helped the attendees learn tech and product skills, equipping them for competitive internships at tech startups across Africa.
For the 2024 International Women’s Day, Kuda organised a webinar featuring women leaders who inspired young women at Kuda to pursue their professional aspirations.
Kuda believes that diversity is key to driving innovation and excellence in the workplace and is committed to fostering an environment where all employees have equal opportunities to thrive.
