DENNIS IKUNDA
Nairobi Area
Summary
A results-driven Head of Information Technology and Fintech Transformation Leader, with a proven track record of architecting and securing scalable digital ecosystems. I specialize in translating complex business objectives into high-impact technology strategies, leading cross-functional teams, and delivering enterprise-grade operational excellence.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Group Head, IT
DADANADA Finance
Nairobi, Kenya
02.2025 - Current
- Product & Program Management Leadership: Orchestrated end-to-end product portfolio strategy and delivery across DADANADA's fintech ecosystem - Daremit (remittances), Dapay (payments), and Daride (mobility) - while driving the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification program from initiation to completion within six months.
- Product Delivery & Stakeholder Management: Coordinated cross-functional teams spanning engineering, design, security, and business units to deliver customer-centric solutions across mobile and web platforms. Managed strategic partner relationships by developing comprehensive API integration playbooks and onboarding frameworks, reducing partner time-to-market by streamlining technical adoption.
- Established enterprise monitoring KPIs and incident management workflows that improved SLA adherence, and enhanced customer experience reliability. Maintained continuous alignment with executive stakeholders, translating business objectives into actionable product roadmaps, and technology initiatives.
- Strategic Product Leadership: Daremit (Remittances): Owned product roadmap and multi-country rollout of an automated KYC/AML verification system across five markets, reducing customer onboarding time by 40% while ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Managed operational product requirements, including partner liquidity workflows, to maintain 99.9% transfer success rates.
- Drove B2B partnership initiatives with MTN Congo and Congo-Brazzaville, delivering integrated USSD, SMS, disbursement, and collection features that expanded market reach.
- Collaborated with product and engineering teams to drive merchant payment gateway development, serving 50+ business customers, and facilitating agile methodology adoption that accelerated feature release velocity by 45%.
- Daride (Mobility): Directed go-to-market product strategy and analytics dashboard launch, enabling data-driven decision-making for successful competitive market entry in the ride-hailing sector.
GROUP HEAD, TECHNICAL OPERATIONS
Anvil Shield Group
Nairobi Area
09.2023 - 01.2025
- Oversaw key remittance partners, including Al Dar Exchange, NairaGram, DTB Uganda, I&M Kenya, NCBA, Lemfi, and Stanbic Uganda (FlexiPay), expanding global remittance capabilities and increasing revenue by at least 30%.
- Collaborated with various department on the revamp of Ngao Credit's Android app and launched a new iOS app, improving performance and user engagement.
- Led a successful tech audit for the group, ensuring regulatory compliance and reducing operational risks.
- Implemented an IT/projects tracker that improved project completion and accountability within the technical team.
- Increased network uptime from 85% in Q4 2023 to 99.99% in Q2 2024 by optimizing infrastructure and maintenance.
- Client Relationship Management: Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and service delivery.
- Budget Management: Oversee operational budgets, ensuring cost-effective management and adherence to financial targets.
- Continuous Improvement: Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational processes and service quality.
- Training & Development: Develop and implement training programs to enhance team skills and performance.
- Crisis Management: Lead crisis management efforts, ensuring rapid and effective response to incidents.
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR
PesaPal Limited
Nairobi Area
01.2022 - 08.2023
- Led a team of ten technical staff in designing and implementing e-commerce platforms for various clients across different industries.
- Spearheaded the online ordering product for Java, ARTCAFFE, Mama Rocks, and Wings Kenya, working with the marketing team to leverage social media platforms and boost the product's revenue by 75% within four quarters.
- I was involved in R&D, testing, and deployment of the product and managed the user feedback and implemented improvements based on the data and analytics.
- Appraised an integration solution with Uber Eats, Bolt & GLOVO that allowed direct ordering with the kitchen production system for eateries such as ARTCAFFE, resulting in a 45% revenue increase.
- I conducted a feasibility study and a cost-benefit analysis of the integration solution and designed and tested the integration solution with the kitchen production system and ensured its compatibility and functionality.
- Standardized incident management processes, streamlining response times and improving the overall quality of support provided to end users.
- Acted as a liaison between technical and non-technical stakeholders, translating complex concepts into easily digestible information for all parties involved.
- Maintained high availability of critical systems through rigorous backup procedures and disaster recovery planning.
- Strengthened cybersecurity for subsidiaries, including Upesi, Ngao, Tracking Hub, Lucent Insurance, and Switchlink Africa, implementing best practices to safeguard data.
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE TEAM LEAD
Intersys Connections Limited
Nairobi Area
01.2012 - 03.2017
- Led a team of twenty customer service representatives responsible for handling over 100,000 customer interactions per month.
- Developed and implemented a new customer service policy that resulted in a 60% reduction in customer complaints and a 75% increase in customer retention.
SALES REPRESENTATIVE AND IT TECHNICIAN
Icon Technologies Limited
05.2010 - 12.2011
- Exploring and adapting new systems to increase efficiency in daily computing to clients.
- Installations and configuration of relevant software on computers.
- Troubleshoot and solve assorted computer issues faced by clients.
INTERN ( IT DEPARTMENT)
Kenya School of Monetary Studies, KSMS
10.2009 - 02.2010
- System analysis and Programming.
- Video Capture, editing and Preparation of DVDs.
- System End-User support.
- Photocopy, Scanning, Faxing and Printing.
Education
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Jomo Kenyatta University of Science & Technology
Nairobi Area, Kenya01.2016
Skills
- Relationship management
- CyberSource expertise
- Product management
- Solution architecture
- Budget oversight
- Continuous improvement
- Operations management
- Database management
- Windows Server administration
- Incident management
- Product strategy
- Risk management
- AWS administration
- Security auditing
- KYC/AML compliance
References
- MARK MWONGELA, GROUP DIRECTOR, STRATEGY & INNOVATION, KCB BANK, +254735444635, mark.mwongela@gmail.com
- SHEDRACK MUTISO, ANVIL SHIELD GROUP, +254724081424, shedrack.mutiso@anvilshieldgroup.com
- LAZARO ONG'ELE, CTO, Pesa Pal LTD, +254723241024, lazaro@pesapal.com
Timeline
Group Head, IT
DADANADA Finance
02.2025 - Current
GROUP HEAD, TECHNICAL OPERATIONS
Anvil Shield Group
09.2023 - 01.2025
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR
PesaPal Limited
01.2022 - 08.2023
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE TEAM LEAD
Intersys Connections Limited
01.2012 - 03.2017
SALES REPRESENTATIVE AND IT TECHNICIAN
Icon Technologies Limited
05.2010 - 12.2011
INTERN ( IT DEPARTMENT)
Kenya School of Monetary Studies, KSMS
10.2009 - 02.2010
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Jomo Kenyatta University of Science & Technology