About Portia Matsena

Portia Matsena is a seasoned executive currently holding a prominent position at Nedbank, where she is entrusted with the oversight of special projects within the organization. With an extensive track record in this field, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. Additionally, she held the distinguished responsibility of supervising Absa CIB Transactional Banking Cash Management in South Africa, a business unit generating approximately R4.3 billion in revenue and carrying R280 billion in liabilities. Her leadership spans across Cash Management SA's diverse teams, encompassing Sales, Product, Client Service, and Solutions Implementation, collectively comprising around 400 employees. Beyond her pivotal role in Cash Management SA, her career showcases a breadth of senior executive experience marked by groundbreaking achievements in financial, business, developmental, administrative, and management strategies within the South African and broader African business landscape. Her proven proficiencies span multiple domains, including Strategy Formulation/Execution, Operating Model Design, Strategic Business Growth, Team Development, Governmental Operational Processes, Agile Implementation, Data Analytics, Client Acquisition/Relations, Return on Investment, and Risk Management. Notably, her adeptness extends to international best practices, particularly within the ICT realm, underscoring her depth of insight and knowledge. Her ethical managerial leadership further distinguishes her profile. Her earlier leadership roles underscore her dynamic career trajectory. As Chief Information Officer (CIO) at BankservAfrica, she spearheaded the development and execution of integrated payments systems in South Africa and across the African continent. In the capacity of Chief Digital Officer (CDO) at Gijima, Portia Matsena was instrumental in crafting digital platforms for the organization. Her role as Acting Group CIO at Post Office South Africa demonstrated her proficiency in steering technology strategies, and her tenure as Head of Department at SITA showcased her ability to drive overall divisional performance. With a strong commitment to continuous self-empowerment and the empowerment of others, she embodies the ethos of a highly educated and accomplished executive.