The tranquil plains of the Masai Mara set the stage for an inspiring story of reconciliation and Harambean values. At the Harambeans Global Summit, two influential founders, Ms. Hilda Moraa H’23 of Pezesha and Mr. Tesh Mbaabu H’20 of MarketForce, made peace, demonstrating the power of humility, servant leadership, and collaboration—the cornerstones of the Harambean ethos. Their journey from legal dispute to public settlement offers lessons in conflict resolution and servant leadership for African entrepreneurs.
A Relationship Built on Trust
The partnership between Pezesha, a leading digital financial marketplace, and MarketForce, a Pan-African B2B ecommerce platform, began in 2021 with mutual respect and optimism. Ms. Moraa and Mr. Mbaabu envisioned a collaboration that would empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through merchant and inventory financing. Their relationship was built on trust, friendship, and a shared vision for growth.
“It wasn’t about market dynamics,” Ms. Moraa recalls. “When Mr. Mbaabu said, ‘Let’s work together and grow each other’s business,’ I was happy to build this partnership.”
The Dispute: From Collaboration to Conflict
However, the business landscape shifted. By late 2022, MarketForce, grappling with the global funding winter, struggled to honor its debt commitments to Pezesha. For Ms. Moraa, the unpaid debt posed significant challenges to Pezesha’s portfolio quality and accountability to investors.
Tensions escalated, culminating in Pezesha filing a liquidation suit against MarketForce in August 2023. Both sides faced public scrutiny as their legal dispute became fodder for online commentary, and their once-strong friendship seemed irreparably damaged.
The Turning Point
The Harambeans Global Summit in March 2024 provided an unexpected opportunity for reconciliation. In the serene ambiance of the Masai Mara, Ms. Moraa and Mr. Mbaabu found a safe space to address their grievances. Guided by Harambean peers and inspired by the summit’s emphasis on collaboration, with facilitation by Ms. Sneha Shah, former managing director of the London Stock Exchange Group, Ms. Maryanne Ochola, Managing Director, Endeavor Kenya, and Ms. Muthoni Wachira H’24, Founding Partner, Katapult Africa, the two entrepreneurs began a dialogue that would lead to a breakthrough.
“Ms. Moraa pulled me aside and shared the pressures she was facing,” Mr. Mbaabu recalls. “We apologized to each other and decided to focus on solutions rather than blame.”
“Ms. Moraa pulled me aside and shared the pressures she was facing,” Mr. Mbaabu recalls. “We apologized to each other and decided to focus on solutions rather than blame.”
A New Path Forward
By the summit’s conclusion, the two reached a resolution on a dusty runway under the Mara’s scorching sun. The lawsuit was dropped, and a creative agreement was forged. MarketForce’s intangible assets would be used to settle the debt, ensuring that both parties could move forward without further animosity.
“I was asking myself, why didn’t I think of this earlier?” Ms. Moraa reflects. “The peaceful environment of the summit helped me see solutions I couldn’t before.”
Lessons in Leadership and Resilience
Ms. Moraa and Mr. Mbaabu’s story is a testament to the power of humility, dialogue, and support. Their reconciliation underscores the importance of resolving conflicts constructively and prioritizing long-term relationships over short-term victories.
“Businesses are different,” Ms. Moraa says. “It’s essential to explore every option and resolve issues out of court whenever possible.”
Mr. Mbaabu adds, “Challenges may seem insurmountable, but with an open mind and support, you can overcome them and emerge stronger.”
A Model for African Entrepreneurs
The reconciliation between Pezesha and MarketForce exemplifies the Harambean spirit of servant leadership and collaboration. As Okendo Lewis-Gayle, founder of the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance, often emphasizes, with great opportunity comes great responsibility. Ms. Moraa and Mr. Mbaabu’s actions serve as a guiding light for entrepreneurs across the continent, proving that even in the face of significant challenges, mutual respect and dialogue can lead to transformative outcomes.
May their story inspire the next generation of Harambeans to embody the values of trust, empathy, and unity, ensuring a thriving future for African innovation.
Credit for reporting goes to Ciku Kimeria H’08, whose article in the Kenyan Wall Street Journal brought this story to light.