Raji Bashir

Background

About Raji Bashir

I am a results-oriented finance leader with over 15 years of extensive experience driving financial strategies and operational excellence for SaaS companies within the education technology sector. My expertise encompasses financial planning and analysis, risk management, stakeholder communication, and team leadership, all geared toward optimizing financial performance and fostering sustainable growth. As Chief Finance Officer at FlexiSAF Edusoft Ltd, I have spearheaded transformative initiatives that significantly impacted the company's trajectory: Orchestrated a comprehensive 5-year financial model instrumental to secure a $2M Series A funding round at a $9.4M pre-money valuation, involving due diligence with about 3 investors and 7 others with interest across Africa and Europe. Negotiated and secured crucial funding totaling $200k from a commercial bank and governmental sources to ensure business continuity during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Established a strategic alliance with Jaiz Bank to drive the adoption of FlexiSAF's school management software, resulting in securing substantial investments from the bank in educational institutions. During my tenure as Finance Manager at FlexiSAF, I optimized liquidity through meticulous budget variance analysis and strategic contractual restructuring, delivering a noteworthy 32% reduction in consulting fees. Additionally, I played a pivotal role in the company's incorporation into Dubai through FlexiSAF DMCC. At Jaiz Bank, my role on the management investment committee (MIC) involved evaluating risk assets exceeding $500M, achieving an impressive $4M return with a non-performing asset rate of less than 5%. As a relationship officer, I facilitated over $18M in financing across diverse sectors such as SME, agriculture, oil & gas, and airlines. My approach combines strong communication, adept leadership, and technical acumen to drive financial sustainability and profitability for startup enterprises. I am dedicated to leveraging digital transformation, optimizing operations, and raising capital to ensure enduring success in dynamic markets.