South African financial technology company Ozow this week announced the appointment of Catherine Kolsten as its new chief growth officer (CGO), effective January 2026.
With a career spanning nearly 20 years across traditional finance, portfolio management and wholesale payments sectors, Korsten joins Ozow’s executive team at a pivotal time.
As CGO, she will oversee the company’s expansion strategy, with a focus on deepening Ozow’s presence in the South African market and strengthening its seller-centric value proposition.
Korsten began his career in the world of stockbroking and hedge fund management. However, a fortuitous transition into the payments industry through Flash (a subsidiary of the Pepkor Group) redefined her professional trajectory.
She spent over 11 years here gaining a deep understanding of South Africa’s large-scale commerce and witnessing the power of microtransactions and the importance of a robust technology infrastructure.
Her expertise then expanded to the broader African region as Chief Commercial Officer of EFT Corporation, managing technology supply across markets including Rwanda and Ethiopia. Now, Korsten is excited to return his focus to his home market.
“We wanted to make an impact on the South African payments industry again,” says Korsten.
“There is still a lot of work to be done here. I have a deep passion for the small business sector. Despite being the engine of our economy, this sector remains underserved. My goal is not just to solve problems the same old way, but to go to the grassroots and understand what it takes for true financial inclusion.”
In his new role at Ozow, Mr. Korsten is committed to changing how the industry perceives “best-in-class” service. Her strategy is centered around a seller-first, consumer-first philosophy, ensuring Ozow’s technology acts as a catalyst for behavior change and economic growth.
Beyond market share, Korsten is a strong advocate for servant leadership and gender diversity in technology.
“It is an honor to have women in leadership roles in payments, but they are still underrepresented,” she says. “I take mentorship very seriously. My job as a leader is to develop those around me into the next generation of leaders, hire people who are better than me, and empower them to move forward in the industry.”
Mr Korsten’s appointment follows a period of sustained growth and innovation at Ozou, which continues to bridge the gap between banked and unbanked South Africans. Beyond this mission, her leadership will be critical in deepening partnerships with merchants and ensuring the company provides exceptional service to its customers. Her deep understanding of ‘tipping points’ in business will assist in expanding the product suite and driving continued mutual growth for the company and its merchant base.
“We are thrilled to welcome Catherine to Ozow. Her appointment builds on Ozow’s strong track record of empowering women leaders, and her unique blend of deep technical expertise in payments and her genuine passion for South Africa’s commercial community makes her well suited to the role. “Katherine’s leadership style and her commitment to talent development will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and deliver world-class payment solutions that advance financial inclusion across the country,” said interim CEO Rachel Cowan. Ozo’s.
