By Yassmine Eladib | International Media Manager
As a Scholar of the Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI), Clement is pursuing his Global Business and Economics degree at Yamanashi Gakuin University in Japan. Originally from Malawi, he joined the program in 2020 and began his studies remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually relocating to Japan in 2022. After losing his parents, Clement faced financial difficulties and relied on support from his extended family, which limited his access to learning opportunities. Nevertheless, he has remained dedicated to his education and future aspirations.
Growing up in Malawi, where many people run small businesses to make ends meet, Clement became aware of the challenges small-scale entrepreneurs face in managing their operations. He grew curious about how they make decisions, manage risks, and operate without formal systems. Initially focused on economics, his passion for finance and data science deepened during an internship in Malawi, where he observed local entrepreneurs operating without tracking profit or cash flow. This inspired him to improve financial management practices to support small business growth in Malawi.
With fellow AAI Scholars Suhayb and Merci, Clement is developing a mobile bookkeeping app for small and medium-sized enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa. The app allows users to record transactions, track inventory, and generate financial reports tailored to the informal business practices in Malawi and Zambia. They plan to pilot the app with local entrepreneurs and refine it based on feedback.
Clement hopes the app will bridge the gap between small businesses and financial institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa, enabling better access to capital through clearer financial records. The app aims to produce verified summaries for loan applications and partnerships with credit providers, fostering a more inclusive financial ecosystem.
In addition to his startup work, Clement has co-authored two papers published in The Economics and Finance Letters and the Japan Financial Times, analyzing the impact of remittances and international aid on migration using real-world data. Outside the classroom, Clement completed the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship Programme, designed to equip young leaders with tools for socially impactful ventures. He also engaged withAshinaga's support network for feedback and connections in fintech and development.
"This journey wouldn't be possible without Ashinaga and the donors who believe in us," Clement says. "Every Scholar has a Kokorozashi, a personal mission. Mine is to help businesses in my community thrive." Thanks to this support, personal missions like Clement's contribute to national progress, one small business at a time.
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