NAAHP Blog

Who is Clifford Nau?

I am Clifford Nau, born and raised in Haiti. I hold a degree in Quantitative Economics from Centre de Techniques de Planification et d’Economie Appliquée (CTPEA) and worked in the macroeconomic branch of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. In 2010, I was selected as a member of the National Economist Group for the donor’s conference held in March 2010 following the earthquake. Over $5 billion was pledged for Haiti’s recovery as a result of our economic program. The following year, I was awarded a Fulbright scholarship where I earned a master’s degree in public policy. My aim was to improve my knowledge and understanding of policy issues, especially decision-making, and in how policy initiatives are developed, analyzed, implemented and evaluated.

I served as an economic and investment adviser to public institutions in Haiti, with a focus on economic development, private sector development policy, financial inclusion, impact investing, building business ecosystem, and driving innovation agenda. I was appointed as the National Coordinator for Haiti at the International Network on Financial Education under OECD.

In addition, I served as General Manager at Alpha Haiti from 2017-2021, where I led the first full-feature tech business accelerator program in the Caribbean region. Additionally, from 2019-2022, I served as a board member and strategic business adviser at Haiti’s small and mid-size business association.

Later, I was accepted into the MBA program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). My focus was on fintech, financial inclusion, and business ecosystem building in developing countries like Haiti. At MIT, I co-organized the MIT FinTech Conference, which attracted 800 participants, and co-founded the MIT Caribbean Business Club to promote business opportunities in the region and partnership with Caribbean entrepreneurs.

Today, I am the co-founder and COO at Kura Technologies, where I oversee operations and strategy, with a focus on fostering partnerships within the fintech industry, with financial ecosystem enablers, business associations and regulatory bodies. The Kura payment system is designed to help Caribbean merchants receive payments both from the diaspora, and NGOs focusing on humanitarian aid and development. This project aims to address three major challenges in Haiti: financial inclusion, digitization, and safety. Our pilot phase is successfully underway, and we plan to launch officially soon.

How do you prioritize your most important tasks?

As an entrepreneur, I work 7 days a week. I create a monthly, weekly, and daily plan, and prioritized based on what needs to be accomplished each day to reach the goals set for the week or the month. This is very helpful even if not all tasks are completed within the set time frame. This helps maintain discipline. It’s crucial to remember that success comes to those who prioritize their goals over distractions. Right now, our main priority is making Kura payments accessible and functional for the diaspora and beneficiaries in Haiti.

Can you share 4 major accomplishments in your career?

1. The creation of a full feature tech incubator in Haiti, the first of its kind in the Caribbean, where I had the privilege of working with young entrepreneurs, and more than 12 startups.
2. Introducing the first public policy course in Haiti, which has now trained over 250 students.
3. My admission to MIT’s MBA program and founding the MIT Caribbean Business Club, which helped change perceptions of Caribbean opportunities in academic circles.
4. Kura Technologies, a revolutionary tool that I hope will have a significant impact on the Haitian market.

What has been your greatest challenge?

There are many challenges. The first is the perception international investors and partners have of the Caribbean market, which can make them hesitant to invest and operate. Additionally, the current situation in Haiti impacts the confidence of local stakeholders and customers in adopting new digital systems. However, our mission is to bring real added economic value to Haiti, and these challenges become secondary considering that goal.

What’s your leadership advice?

Life is short. Ask yourself what is your mission on earth and what actions you can take to improve the lives of future generations. As a future leader, you should make sure your dreams come true and inspire those around you to achieve their potential.

What advice would you give to young people looking to follow your career path?

Don’t let obstacles scare you. Invest in yourself through reading and education. Use social media productively and stay focused on your goals. Having a role model is important—in my case, it’s Jean Jacques Dessalines. I remind myself that his challenges were a thousand times greater than mine, but he still achieved Haiti’s independence in 1804 which change the world order. So, if Dessalines could do it, I can build a global company too.

Advice for women in business and fintech?

There are many women in this field, and I work with some of them, including my co-founder. Women, especially Haitian women, possess a unique strength and determination. My advice is to recognize this value, believe in yourself, pursue education, and never give up on your goals.

How do you envision reform in the finance and technology sector in Haiti?

Haiti is facing major issues such as, inflation, political risk, lack of payment infrastructure, bankruptcy in the business sector, and negative image. The reliance on cash in the local economy makes transactions difficult to trace and increase money laundering. I believe a payment solution that increase transparency can help address some of those problems. For example, with Kura payment solution, we aim to reduce money laundering risks, increase transaction traceability, support local businesses, which could improve Haiti’s economy, establish trust in our financial ecosystem and attract more private investment.

What are your thoughts on cybersecurity in Haiti?

Although we are based in the United States, cybersecurity is a significant challenge for any fintech company operating in Haiti. I believe that we should adopt international security standards and engage with local authorities to develop and enforce effective cybersecurity regulations. Moreover, the country should invest in education and specialized trainings for people in the financial sector and college students who want to build secure system.

Where can we find Clifford Nau outside of work?

Given my current responsibilities, I have little free time. Outside of work, I spend time with family, read self-development book, enjoy nature walk, and occasionally, attend gatherings with friends. I also practice meditation, go to museum of fine arts, watch soccer games, and listen to music. The life of someone working in fintech can be quite solitary.