Sia Aidan Mziray, Christopher Uzoma Ebereonwu, Professor Vivienne Lawack and Kalaivani Naidoo. Image: SuppliedThe University of the Western Cape (UWC) continues to strengthen its position as a leader in African-focused financial technology scholarship, following the successful graduation of four postgraduate students whose research addressed some of the most pressing legal and regulatory challenges shaping the digital finance landscape.
All four graduates were supervised by Professor Vivienne Lawack in the Department of Mercantile and Labour Law, and their work aligns closely with UWC’s growing footprint in Fintech law, innovation and policy development on the continent.
The research spans key areas of contemporary financial regulation, including open banking, central bank digital currencies, cross-border payments, digital transformation in banking, and the development of regulatory frameworks suited to emerging economies.
Collectively, the theses contribute original insights into how African jurisdictions can harness financial innovation while managing systemic risk, consumer protection and regulatory coherence.
Prof Lawack said: “UWC has played a pioneering role in this space through initiatives such as the launch of South Africa’s first Postgraduate Diploma in Fintech Law and Regulation and the establishment of the Centre for African Fintech Innovation and Law, which positions the University as a hub for interdisciplinary research, capacity building and regulatory engagement. The work produced by these graduates reflects the University’s commitment to scholarship that responds directly to African realities while engaging with global best practice.”
By grounding their research in comparative analysis, regional integration and contextual legal reform, the graduates’ work offers practical value for policymakers, regulators, financial institutions and Fintech innovators operating within and beyond South Africa.
Christopher Uzoma Ebereonwu
Department: Mercantile and Labour Law
Supervisor: Prof V Lawack
Thesis: Prospects and Legal Considerations for Open Banking in Africa
The study explored the legal, regulatory, and institutional foundations required for Open Banking in Africa, drawing on case studies from Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It proposed an Africa-specific regulatory model, recommended the establishment of a specialised regulatory unit, and developed a draft Model Law on Open Banking to support policymakers and regulators across the continent.
Sia Aidan Mziray
Department: Mercantile and Labour Law
Supervisor: Prof V Lawack
Thesis: Legal Considerations for Adopting Central Bank Digital Currencies for Cross-Border Payments in the SADC Region
The research examined the legal feasibility of implementing a cross-border central bank digital currency within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. It identified regulatory gaps and argued that an interoperability-based model, supported by coordinated legal reform, offered the most viable path toward regional payment integration.
Kalaivani Naidoo
Department: Mercantile and Labour Law Supervisor: Prof V Lawack
Thesis: Towards Robust Regulatory Frameworks for Fintech Regulation in South Africa
This thesis reassessed South Africa’s financial regulatory architecture in light of rapid Fintech growth and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It proposed concrete policy interventions, including a draft Joint Standard for Fintech regulation, to ensure innovation is balanced with financial stability and consumer protection.
Stewart Bobo
Department: Mercantile and Labour Law
Supervisor: Prof V Lawack
Co-supervisor: Dr. A Puja
Thesis: The Impact of Digital Transformation on Banking Business Models: The Case of South Africa
Using the business model canvas, the research analysed how technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and cloud computing are reshaping South African banking. The study highlighted opportunities for both inclusion and efficiency, as well as the regulatory reforms needed to address emerging digital risks.
