Transforming African fintech: Professor Vivienne Lawack leads UWC's new Centre for Innovation
Prof Vivienne Lawack has been appointed as the Director of the Centre for African Fintech, Innovation and Law at UWC.
Image: UWC
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is set to redefine the landscape of financial technology and legal innovation on the African continent with the appointment of Professor Vivienne Lawack as the inaugural Director of the Centre for African Fintech, Innovation and Law. This pioneering Centre, strategically nested within the Faculty of Law, will officially launch on 30 October 2025, marking a significant milestone in academia's engagement with fintech and legal frameworks in Africa.
A distinguished legal scholar
Professor Lawack steps into this role armed with profound knowledge of fintech law and regulation across the continent. A cum laude graduate with a B. Juris and LLB from Nelson Mandela University, she also holds an LLM and LLD from UNISA. Furthermore, she is an admitted non-practising advocate of the High Court of South Africa. Her diverse career blends academic prowess, policy influence, and practical legal counsel, uniquely equipping her to lead this ambitious initiative.
Extensive experience in academia and banking
Prior to this appointment, Lawack accumulated a wealth of experience spanning academia, central banking, and financial markets law. She began her academic career at Vista University and Nelson Mandela University before transitioning to significant roles at the South African Reserve Bank and later, as Senior Legal Counsel at Strate Limited. Her tenure involved critical oversight of payment systems, financial stability, and pioneering innovation—issues that remain central to the fintech landscape today.
Returning to higher education, Lawack has held prominent positions, including Executive Dean of Law at Nelson Mandela University and, more recently, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at UWC from 2015 to 2024. Since January 2025, she has been a Professor of Fintech Law and Regulation in UWC’s Department of Mercantile and Labour Law, solidifying her stature as a leading voice in the field.
Research focus and contributions
Lawack's research delves into vital themes such as central bank digital currencies, cryptoassets, mobile money, financial inclusion, and cross-border remittances. Her recent edited volume, “Fintech Law and Regulation: An African Perspective” (Juta, 2023), has been praised for its insightful contributions, making it a pivotal resource for scholars and regulators alike.
In addition to her academic endeavours, Lawack is a committed participant in governance and education. She serves as a non-executive director at Cenfri, is a council member of the South African Judicial Education Institute, and holds board positions at Kepler College, where she is also the Deputy Chairperson of its Council in Rwanda.
A vision for the future
The new Centre is envisioned as a hub for interdisciplinary research and policy engagement, aimed at fostering innovation in fintech across Africa. One of its flagship projects, titled “Tech, Migration and Mobilities,” aligns with Lawack’s involvement with the Migration and Mobilities Interdisciplinary Collective in Africa (MMICA) at UWC and explores the intersections of technology, innovation, and migration.
“This Centre is a bold step toward shaping Africa’s fintech future through legal scholarship, innovation, and collaboration,” Professor Lawack stated. “I’m honoured to lead this initiative and contribute to UWC’s mission of transformative education and research.”
The official launch on 30 October 2025 is anticipated to be a gathering of academics, regulators, innovators, and policymakers, all working together to celebrate the Centre’s vision and discuss strategic priorities for the future of fintech law and innovation in Africa.