Open to opportunities

Mhlengi Ayanda

@mustaphah

Message

I build Shariah-compliant fintech, retail, hospitality, and luxury ventures.

South Africa

Message

What I'm looking for

I'm looking to build and scale ethically aligned, globally oriented ventures where fintech, technology, creative strategy, and data-driven decision-making can improve customer experiences and financial access.

I'm building FinterPay, a Shariah-compliant digital payments ecosystem focused on improving financial accessibility and trust across emerging markets. As CEO and Strategic Growth Lead, I oversee strategy, governance, product innovation, technology development, regulatory alignment, and cross-border expansion.

At Amanah Islamic Development Institute, I directed PropTech solutions for feasibility studies, due diligence, and property development assessments. I also developed omnichannel operations using digital platforms, fintech interfaces, and automated workflows for Shariah-compliant property and SME investment.

I've led growth, financial strategy, franchise planning, and hospitality operations at Musty & Moose Café, while building Montegreno's premium collections, global creative campaigns, and international partnerships across Durban and Dubai.

My work brings together scientific reasoning, data-driven analysis, creative direction, and ethical finance. I build partnerships across investors, financial institutions, developers, regulators, merchants, and technology providers to turn ambitious ideas into scalable ventures.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Chief Executive Officer & Strategic Growth Lead

Current

FinterPay

Aug 2025 - Present (1 year 1 month)

Founded and built FinterPay's strategic vision, establishing a Shariah-compliant digital payments ecosystem. Provided executive leadership overseeing corporate strategy, product innovation, and cross-border market expansion.

Executive Leadership Corporate Strategy Product Innovation Regulatory Compliance Partnership Management

Founder & Creative Director

Montegreno

Jan 2025 - Dec 2025 (11 months)

Provided visionary creative direction, leading conception, design, and execution of premium collections and brand visuals. Led high-level partnership development and leveraged data-driven market analysis for global campaigns.

Creative Direction Brand Strategy Partnership Development Market Analysis Audience Segmentation

Brand Strategist & Global Franchise

Musty & Moose Café

Jul 2024 - Jul 2025 (1 year)

Managed financial strategy and scalable growth including forecasting, revenue optimization, and franchise profitability models. Directed long-term strategic growth including multi-location franchise development and international market entry planning.

Financial Strategy Forecasting Revenue Optimization Franchise Development Team Leadership

Executive Director/ Innovation & Development

Amanah Islamic Development Institute

Jan 2024 - Jan 2025 (1 year)

Directed development of PropTech solutions for feasibility studies and property development assessments. Championed innovation and tech-driven efficiency to reduce barriers for Shariah-compliant property and SME investment.

PropTech Fintech Risk Analytics Partnership Management Omnichannel Strategy

Store Associate (Casual)

Mr Price Group

Nov 2023 - Feb 2024 (3 months)

Established operational excellence frameworks including inventory accuracy, stock integrity, and loss prevention. Strengthened customer trust and brand loyalty through service consistency and proactive issue resolution.

Inventory Management Loss Prevention Customer Service Operational Excellence

Sales Associate/Administrative Assistant

Mr Price

Mar 2022 - Feb 2023 (11 months)

Developed and implemented sales strategies to elevate client acquisition, retention, and average transaction value. Directed visual merchandising and optimized retail performance through data-driven insights.

Sales Strategy Visual Merchandising Data Analysis

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences

2023 -

Pursuing an interdisciplinary program integrating molecular biology, genetics, physiology, and data-driven scientific analysis, developing strong analytical and research skills.

Yale School of Medicine

Non-degree, Anatomy

2024 - 2024

Completed a non-degree online course in anatomy, exploring anatomical structures of the chest, neck, abdomen, and pelvis, and gaining understanding of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems.

University of Colorado Denver

Non-degree, Business Data Management and Systems

2024 - 2024

Completed a non-degree online course in Business Data Management and Systems, covering data modeling, database design, data warehousing, and business intelligence.

Sivananda Technical High School

National Senior Certificate, General

2017 - 2021

Grade: Bachelor's Pass with distinctions

Achieved an NSC Bachelor's Pass with distinctions, demonstrating strong mastery of scientific reasoning, analytical thinking, and data-driven problem-solving.