THE FUSE

Growing up in Empangeni, Sashin Sookroo planned to become an engineer. A last-minute high school pivot into commerce sent him to FNB’s graduate program instead, and eventually to the helm of FNB Connect. Today, he sits at the exact intersection of banking and telecommunications, proving that a mobile device is much more than a way to check a bank balance or receive an OTP. In this edition of Coffee With…, PHATHISANI MOYO sits down with FNB Connect CEO Sashin Sookroo to discuss how FNB turned a bank app into a digital platform driving R28.6 billion ($1.8 billion USD) in customer value, why digital inclusion is just as vital as financial inclusion, and how a phone in your pocket becomes a launchpad for work, education, and entrepreneurship.