Fatima Moolla is a Centre Manager at SmartXchange, where she plays a key role in supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and small business development within South Africa’s digital and blue economy sectors. She joined the organisation in 2015, leading the establishment of the Port Shepstone incubator—an initiative that significantly expanded SmartXchange’s reach beyond urban centres.

Under her leadership, the Port Shepstone hub rapidly exceeded its performance targets and gained local recognition, contributing to SmartXchange’s reputation as a leader in the incubation ecosystem. The success of this model has supported further expansion into township-based digital hubs and new innovation verticals, including the ocean economy.

Fatima is deeply committed to empowering entrepreneurs and supporting the growth of small businesses, particularly within underserved communities. Her work focuses on mentorship, business development, and ecosystem-building, helping startups scale sustainably while contributing to inclusive economic development.

Through her role, she continues to champion innovation-led growth and plays an active part in shaping opportunities within emerging sectors, including the blue economy.