Speaker Bio
Louise Cottar is a strategic adviser to Hormuud Telecom, Somalia’s largest telecommunications and mobile money operator. In her role, she advises on initiatives that drive digital inclusion to reduce inequalities and spur economic development. Hormuud Telecom has been driving forward Somalia’s digital inclusion for two decades, introducing mobile money and expanding connectivity throughout the nation.
She supported the business in obtaining the GSMA mobile money certification. This recognises that Hormuud operates to the international gold standard of safety and security in mobile money services, while operating in a volatile environment.
Over the past 25 years, Louise has held numerous roles in Somalia, including Adviser to the Somali President on threats to peace, security and stability. She has worked with the United Nations and the World Bank among other organizations in strategic planning, political economy, security sector analysis and reform, reconciliation and peace processes, humanitarian last mile issues and reconstruction and development.
Her experience in Somalia dates back to the 1990s, where she worked with humanitarian organisations, such as the WFP to deliver humanitarian aid to hard-to-reach areas.