Daniel Dindji, the founder and CEO of CinetPay, a leading online payment platform operating in ten African countries, including Burkina Faso, has been honored three times at the 21st edition of the Prix Africain de Développement (PADEV) held in Kigali, Rwanda. The awards ceremony took place on October 22 and 23, 2026. Dindji received the Grand Prix Prestige Étoile d’Afrique, the Sabre d’Honneur, and a doctorate honoris causa in business administration.
The Grand Prix Prestige Étoile d’Afrique, awarded by the Fondation 225, recognizes Dindji as the Best African Manager in the digitalization and electronic payment sector for Côte d’Ivoire, where CinetPay was founded. This award acknowledges over a decade of work in making online payments accessible to African businesses of all sizes. CinetPay has established itself as a key player in the fintech industry, providing a platform for merchants, schools, associations, and administrations to accept online payments.
On October 22, 2026, Dindji was awarded a doctorate honoris causa in business administration by Nexus Global University in the United States. The ceremony took place in Kigali, and Dindji received his certificate surrounded by members of the academic body. In response, Dindji expressed his humility and emphasized that the honor is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the collective effort of his team in building a payment infrastructure trusted by thousands of businesses.
The Sabre d’Honneur, awarded in collaboration with the Office of His Highness Sheikh AbdulHakim Al Maktoum, was presented to Dindji on October 23, 2026. This award symbolizes the transmission of experience to new generations of African leaders. Dindji emphasized that the sabre is a commitment to share the knowledge and expertise gained through CinetPay’s journey with the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
CinetPay, founded in Abidjan, is an authorized payment institution regulated by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) and the Central Bank of Congo. With over 25,000 merchants using its services, CinetPay enables businesses to accept payments through Mobile Money, bank cards, and electronic wallets. In Burkina Faso, CinetPay’s services have become increasingly important, allowing merchants to receive payments from clients without needing multiple connections with different operators.
Wilfried Arnaud ZIO, Country Manager of CinetPay Burkina, expressed pride in the recognition, stating that it confirms the company’s reputation as a leading fintech player in the region. He emphasized that these distinctions will motivate the team to continue promoting digital payments in Burkina Faso, contributing to the country’s economic growth.
The Prix Africain de Développement (PADEV), created in 2006 by the Fondation 225, is an annual award that recognizes individuals and institutions contributing to Africa’s development. The 21st edition of PADEV took place in Kigali, Rwanda, and Dindji’s three awards are a testament to CinetPay’s impact on the continent. As president of the Association des professionnels des Fintech de Côte d’Ivoire (APFT-CI), Dindji continues to play a significant role in shaping the fintech industry in Africa.
Key points
- Daniel Dindji received three prestigious awards at the 21st edition of the Prix Africain de Développement (PADEV) in Kigali, Rwanda.
- The awards recognize Dindji’s contributions to the fintech industry, including his role in making online payments accessible to African businesses.
- CinetPay, founded by Dindji, operates in ten African countries, including Burkina Faso, and has established itself as a leading player in the fintech sector.
