South Africa's Jamie Thurston Wyngaard: leading a fintech revolution with landmark signing in Algeria
Jamie Thurston Wyngaard (centre) signing the landmark deal
Image: Supplied
At only 33 years old, South African entrepreneur Jamie Thurston Wyngaard is making waves on the continental stage. As co-founder and CXO of fintech and mobility company Loop, he has built a reputation for spotting gaps in the market and turning them into opportunities.
From driving digital payment solutions in underserved communities to shaping mobility platforms that connect thousands, Wyngaardt’s track record reflects a commitment to innovation with real social impact.
That journey reached a new milestone this week when Loop signed its first international agreement, a landmark partnership with Algeria’s VMS and Diar Dzair, on the sidelines of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025).
The deal, witnessed by international media and backed by high-level political support, was sealed in the presence of Algeria’s Minister of Startups and SMEs, H.E. Noureddine Oudah, and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry. It builds on the outcomes of the 7th SA–Algeria Binational Commission, where President Cyril Ramaphosa and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune pledged to deepen bilateral trade, investment, and private-sector collaboration.
Jamie Wyngaard
Image: Supplied
Wyngaard described the trade fair as a powerful showcase of South Africa’s innovation ecosystem. “We were there to showcase what we are doing as a country. Sixteen other South African businesses were also represented. This led to a deal signing that shows how collaboration can create real opportunities,” he said.
His time in Algeria also exposed challenges that Loop is uniquely positioned to help address. “To buy a SIM card, we were told we needed to go to the bank to withdraw cash. Shops only take cash. Then we had the problem of finding a bank because some of the ATMs don’t work with my card,” he explained.
“Algeria is advanced, but the only thing they are doing differently is using cash. Even staff get paid in cash in an envelope. I was shocked. We live in a cashless society.”
That experience, he said, revealed a gap in Algeria’s payment systems. “I could see that they need it. If I see a problem, I want to find a solution. The timing was perfect,” Wyngaard noted. “The company we’re working with in Algeria is Algeria’s biggest online store but even there, most transactions are cash on delivery.”
Framing the deal as bigger than business, Wyngaard stressed the importance of African startups working together to solve the continent’s challenges.
Loop CEO Imtiyaaz Riley said they are looking forward to the partnership
Image: Supplied
“This is the start of a One Africa movement. This fits perfectly into the question: how do we first solve Africa? Africa’s growth will be built on cooperation, innovation, and trust between our nations.”
He also praised Algeria’s people and culture. “It is a very respectable nation, and the people are friendly. This partnership shows what can happen when we combine strengths across borders.”
Loop founder and CEO, Imtiyaaz Riley, echoed the sentiment. “Loop was built to connect people, businesses, and opportunities through technology. By working alongside our Algerian partners, we are taking a decisive step toward building African solutions that serve African realities from digital payments to mobility. This partnership proves that African startups can go beyond borders and deliver impact at scale.”
Wyngaard’s credibility as a young African leader is underlined by a string of recent accolades.
He was honoured with the Global Forty Under 40 Award in Dubai, won the Science, Technology & Innovation Award at the Africa Forty Under 40 Awards, and has helped Loop facilitate the distribution of more than R50 million into informal markets.
The company has also developed tools such as Chat-to-Pay, Tap-to-Pay and biometric “Pay with Palm” technology, expanding financial inclusion at scale.