Andrew Milne Dies at 54: What to Know About the Kuunda Co-Founder
Andrew Milne, co-founder and co-chief executive officer of African fintech company Kuunda, has died at the age of 54.
Kuunda confirmed his death in a statement on October 15, 2026, saying he passed away on October 13. The company did not disclose the cause of his death.
Milne’s death came just days after Kuunda announced a $5 million secondary share sale, marking a major milestone for the digital lending company he helped build.
The company described him as an energetic and resilient leader who was deeply respected by his colleagues. It also extended its condolences to his wife, Alison, and their children, while requesting privacy for the family.
Who Was Andrew Milne?
Andrew Milne was a fintech entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience in African business. He co-founded Kuunda in 2018 alongside Sam Brawerman and Morné van der Westhuizen.
The company developed technology that enables banks, mobile money operators and payment platforms to provide credit to small businesses, merchants and consumers.
Rather than operating solely as a direct lender, Kuunda provides the infrastructure that allows its partners to offer financial products through their existing networks.
Its services include financing for mobile money agents, merchant cash advances and stock financing for small retailers. These products help businesses access working capital, particularly when they struggle to obtain loans through conventional banking channels.
Under Milne’s leadership, Kuunda expanded its operations across African markets and developed partnerships to extend access to credit.
The company reported that its lending infrastructure had facilitated more than 870 million loans worth over $4.4 billion, reaching 14.6 million agents, merchants and consumers across Africa.
Andrew Milne’s Career Before Kuunda
Before establishing Kuunda, Milne held senior positions in health technology and mobile financial services.
He served as managing director of Virgin Life Care, a South African health technology company, from 2004 to 2008.
He later became chief executive of Hello Doctor, where he worked from 2009 to 2015. During his tenure, the health technology business expanded into 10 African countries.
Milne subsequently joined mobile money company Zoona as chief operating officer, a position he held from 2015 to 2017.
His experience across healthcare, mobile money and financial technology helped shape his work at Kuunda, where he focused on using technology to improve access to financial services.
Beyond his executive responsibilities, Milne also mentored entrepreneurs and contributed to the wider African startup ecosystem.
Kuunda’s $5 Million Share Sale Before His Death
On October 13, 2026, Kuunda announced the completion of a $5 million secondary share sale led by E4E Africa.
Existing investors, including Accion Ventures, Portugal Gateway Fund and Seedstars Africa Ventures, also participated in the transaction.
Unlike a conventional fundraising round in which a company issues new shares to raise capital for its operations, a secondary share sale allows existing shareholders to sell their shares to other investors.
The transaction provided an opportunity for early investors to realise returns while bringing a more concentrated group of shareholders into the company.
Kuunda’s announcement came on the same day Milne died, although the company confirmed his death publicly afterward.
The deal followed a $7.5 million funding round announced in 2025, which attracted investors including Nedbank and 4Di Capital.
What Happens to Kuunda After Milne’s Death?
Milne’s death leaves a significant leadership gap at the company he co-founded.
Kuunda said it would share details of how it plans to honour his legacy in due course. The company had not announced a successor in its initial statement.
Its existing operations focus on helping financial institutions deliver credit to underserved customers through digital infrastructure and partnerships.
As the company moves forward, its leadership will face the task of continuing that work while honouring the contributions of one of its founders.
Milne is survived by his wife, Alison, and their children.