While much of the spotlight has historically focused on male founders and executives, a powerful cohort of women is quietly, and boldly, reshaping the landscape.

From digital payments and savings platforms to financial inclusion advocacy and wealth-building tools, these women are not just participating, they are building, leading, and transforming Nigeria’s digital economy.

These women represent different layers of Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem, from infrastructure & global payments; savings, lending & investments; financial literacy & inclusion, to policy, research & ecosystem development.

Together, they are shaping a future where financial services are more accessible, inclusive, and technology-driven.

As Nigeria continues its journey toward a fully digital economy, the contributions of these women highlight a critical truth: The future of fintech is not just innovative, it is inclusive, and women are leading that charge.

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2026 under the theme, “Give to Gain,” Techeconomy celebrates these 10 women redefining fintech in Nigeria, and the impact they are making across the ecosystem:

1. Folasade Femi-Lawal, country manager & area business head, West Africa, Mastercard

Folasade Femi‑Lawal is a seasoned financial services and digital payments executive with over 25 years of experience spanning banking, management consulting, telecommunications, and business advisory. She currently serves as Country Manager and Area Business Head for West Africa at Mastercard, where she leads strategy, innovation, and growth across one of the continent’s most dynamic markets.

In her role, Folasade drives Mastercard’s strategic vision for West Africa, deepening partnerships with public and private stakeholders to accelerate financial inclusion and build a more connected, digital economy. She has played a key role in collaborations that extend digital payment capabilities and advance the region toward a cashless society.

Before joining Mastercard, she built an impressive track record at major Nigerian financial institutions, including First Bank, where she led mobile financial services and digital banking strategy, significantly increasing card subscriber numbers and market share. She also served as Head of Loan Monitoring at United Bank for Africa and held earlier roles in consulting and telecommunications, including at PwC and Airtel.

Folasade is widely recognized for her commitment to inclusive growth and empowerment, particularly for women and children. She supports mentorship and leadership initiatives with organizations such as Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) and the U.S. White House Academy for Women Entrepreneurs. Her accolades include the Outstanding Women in Management award by the United Nations Association in Nigeria and being named one of Africa’s Top 50 Women in Management. She also serves on the Forbes Business Development Council and has held leadership roles in industry bodies such as the Committee of eBusiness Industry Heads.

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2. Odunayo Eweniyi, co-founder/COO, PiggyVest

Odunayo Eweniyi is a leading Nigerian tech entrepreneur and co‑founder and Chief Operations Officer of PiggyVest, the country’s largest digital savings and investment platform that has revolutionised how millions of Nigerians save, invest, and build financial discipline. With a first‑class degree in Computer Engineering from Covenant University, she transitioned into tech entrepreneurship, co‑founding PiggyVest in 2016 to digitise informal saving habits and democratise access to wealth‑building tools.

Under her operational leadership, PiggyVest has grown from a simple online savings product into a multi‑product fintech powerhouse, serving millions of users with features such as automated savings, investment options, and micro‑investment products that make finance accessible to everyday Nigerians across demographics.

In the first half of 2025 alone, the platform recorded users saving significant sums collectively, underscoring its role in transforming financial behaviour among youth and underserved populations.

Beyond PiggyVest, Eweniyi is a serial innovator and investor in the African tech ecosystem. She co‑founded FirstCheck Africa, a female‑led angel investment firm focused on supporting women‑led startups and early‑stage founders, and serves on the board of global organisations such as Village Capital.

Her contributions to fintech and entrepreneurship have earned her recognition on prestigious lists including Forbes Africa 30 Under 30, Bloomberg New Economy Catalysts, and TIME100 Next.

Eweniyi also co‑founded the Feminist Coalition, advocating for gender equity and social justice, reinforcing her commitment to both economic inclusion and social impact. Her influence extends beyond product innovation to shaping a more inclusive fintech ecosystem where women and young innovators can thrive.

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3. Yanmo Omorogbe, co-founder/COO, Bamboo

Yanmo Omorogbe is co‑founder and Chief Operating Officer of Bamboo, a trailblazing digital investment platform that gives Nigerians and Africans real‑time access to buy, sell, and hold assets on the U.S. stock market using their mobile phones and computers.

As COO, Yanmo leads Bamboo’s operations, growth strategy, and customer‑focused execution, playing a central role in scaling the platform since its launch in 2020. Under her operational leadership, Bamboo has become one of Africa’s fastest‑growing investment apps, enabling thousands of users, many of whom were first‑time investors, to participate in global markets and build long‑term wealth.

Before co‑founding Bamboo, Yanmo built her finance expertise working in investment and asset management. She served as an investment analyst and associate at African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), a leading infrastructure private equity firm, and briefly worked in both public and private sector roles including at Nigeria’s Ministry of Power, Works & Housing.

A graduate of Imperial College London, Yanmo holds a degree in engineering and is also progressing professional qualifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Her work at Bamboo reflects a deep commitment to expanding financial inclusion and making global investing accessible to Africans, breaking traditional barriers to participation in wealth markets.

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4. Solape Akinpelu, founder/CEO, HerVest

Solape Akinpelu is a leading Nigerian fintech entrepreneur and gender‑finance expert, best known as the Founder and CEO of HerVest, an inclusive fintech platform dedicated to expanding financial access and economic opportunity for African women.

HerVest leverages technology to provide goal‑oriented savings, impact investing, and credit solutions specifically designed for women, particularly smallholder female farmers and women‑led SMEs, helping to bridge the continent’s gender finance gap and unlock economic potential.

Under Solape’s leadership, HerVest has grown to serve tens of thousands of women, enabling members to build savings, access tailored investment opportunities, and secure flexible financing that fosters business growth and long‑term financial resilience. Solape’s vision is rooted in gender‑inclusive financial design, challenging traditional financial norms and supporting women who have historically been excluded from mainstream financial services.

Beyond building HerVest, Akinpelu actively shapes broader discussions on financial inclusion and gender equity. She serves on national and international committees, including advisory roles focused on women’s economic empowerment and advancing women’s financial participation.

She also holds leadership positions in organisations such as the Nigerian‑British Chamber of Commerce, where she champions tech‑driven collaboration and trade, and the Women in Tech Global Movement, where she advocates for greater female representation in tech and finance.

Solape’s work has earned recognition across the tech and business landscape, including prestigious awards such as the 2025 Aurora Tech Award, where she was celebrated for HerVest’s impactful innovation in fintech and agriculture finance.

Her leadership continues to inspire a new generation of women entrepreneurs and underscores the transformative power of fintech to drive inclusion, empowerment, and economic growth across Nigeria and beyond.

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5. Foyinsola Akinjayeju, chief executive officer, EFInA

Foyinsola Akinjayeju is a seasoned leader driving data‑led financial inclusion and economic empowerment in Nigeria. She currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of EFInA, the country’s foremost financial sector deepening organisation dedicated to expanding access to quality financial services and advancing inclusive finance across all segments of the population.

With over two decades of experience spanning strategy, financial management, and operational transformation, Akinjayeju brings both technical expertise and visionary leadership to EFInA.

Prior to her role at EFInA, she held senior positions at organisations including PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Phillips Consulting, where she led high‑impact projects and supported institutional development across sectors. She is a Chartered Accountant with an MBA from Lagos Business School.

Since her appointment as CEO, Akinjayeju has strengthened EFInA’s role as an evidence‑based catalyst for financial inclusion, championing research, advocacy, innovation, and systems‑strengthening initiatives that address access barriers for underserved populations including women, youth and micro‑entrepreneurs.

Under her leadership, EFInA was honoured with The Financial Inclusion Partner CEO of the Year Award at the 2025 MSME Finance and CEO Awards, in recognition of its sustained impact on MSME finance and inclusion in Nigeria.

Akinjayeju has steered EFInA through a strategic evolution that emphasises not only expanding access to financial services but ensuring those services contribute to economic resilience, opportunity creation and long‑term prosperity for excluded communities. Her agenda prioritises tailored solutions, evidence‑driven policy engagement, and partnerships that strengthen Nigeria’s inclusive financial ecosystem.

Her work reinforces the critical connection between inclusive finance, sustainable growth, and broader digital economy participation, positioning EFInA as a trusted voice in shaping Nigeria’s financial landscape.

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6. Ife Durosinmi-Etti, founder, Herconomy

Ife Durosinmi‑Etti is a Nigerian entrepreneur, author, and fintech leader who has carved out a niche by championing financial inclusion for women in Nigeria and across Africa. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Herconomy, a female‑focused fintech platform that combines digital savings tools with a vibrant community to empower women economically and socially.

Herconomy, originally launched as AGSTribe, was born out of Ife’s vision to build a support ecosystem where women can save, connect, access opportunities, and grow their financial agency. The platform provides tailored financial services, capacity‑building programs, and access to grants, scholarships, fellowships, and jobs, helping users move beyond traditional banking limitations.

Ife’s leadership is grounded in over a decade of diverse professional experience across marketing, corporate communications, and entrepreneurship, having worked in sectors ranging from retail and FMCG to tech before founding Herconomy.

She holds a BSc in Biochemistry and an MBA in Global Business, and her work has earned her recognition as a Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneur Awardee and a Mandela Washington Fellow.

Under her stewardship, Herconomy has rapidly grown into a community‑driven digital platform that aims to financially empower one million women, mobilising savings and opportunities for them to thrive economically.

Ife’s journey underscores her belief that financial freedom for women requires more than accounts, it requires community, education, and targeted financial tools, making her a standout voice in Nigeria’s gender‑focused fintech space.

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7. Oluwatosin Olaseinde, founder, MoneyAfrica & Ladda

Oluwatosin Olaseinde is a Nigerian fintech and edtech entrepreneur pioneering financial literacy and wealth‑building tools that are shaping how Africans understand and interact with money.

As the Founder and CEO of MoneyAfrica and Ladda, she has built a dual‑platform ecosystem that bridges financial education with practical investment opportunities.

At its core, MoneyAfrica is a widely respected financial literacy edtech platform that empowers individuals with the knowledge to save, invest, and make informed financial decisions. With a community that reaches hundreds of thousands of users, the platform has become a trusted resource for personal finance education across the continent.

Recognising that education without accessible tools limits real financial progress, Olaseinde also founded Ladda, a fintech platform that enables everyday users to save and invest in curated portfolios, mutual funds, stocks, and other wealth‑building options, all designed to simplify access to investment products traditionally available only to elite investors.

A Chartered Accountant by training, Olaseinde’s professional journey spans corporate finance, auditing, and financial analysis, including early roles at major media and financial institutions.

Her work has earned her global recognition, including selection as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, LinkedIn Top Voice in Finance and Economy, and placement among the Top 50 African Business Heroes.

In 2025, she was appointed to the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Financial Education, where she contributes to shaping global strategies that make financial knowledge more accessible and relevant in the digital age.

Oluwatosin’s mission is clear: to empower millions of Africans to achieve financial independence by combining education, technology, and accessible investment solutions, demonstrating how fintech can be a vehicle for sustainable economic empowerment.

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8. Nkem Okocha, founder, Mamamoni

Nkem Okocha is a Nigerian social entrepreneur and fintech innovator whose work blends empathy with technology to transform the lives of low‑income women.

She is the founder and driving force behind Mamamoni, a fintech social enterprise dedicated to empowering underserved women, especially in rural and urban slum communities, through financial inclusion, vocational skills training, and access to capital.

Inspired by her own upbringing and the struggles her widowed mother faced, Okocha left a banking career in 2013 to start Mamamoni. Under her leadership, the organisation has evolved from a grassroots skills‑training hub into a digital platform that provides micro‑loans, business education, and mobile financial tools tailored for women excluded from traditional banking systems.

Through Mamamoni, Okocha has impacted thousands of low‑income female entrepreneurs, helping them build sustainable micro‑businesses, improve household incomes, and achieve financial confidence, outcomes that go beyond typical credit provision to deepen economic resilience and inclusion.

A 2015 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneur Programme alumnus, 2016 LEAP Africa Social Innovator, 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow, and winner of several national and international awards, Okocha is widely recognised for her impact‑driven leadership in fintech and social empowerment.

Her work exemplifies how fintech can be both innovative and compassionate, using digital tools to unlock opportunities for women who have long been left on the margins of Nigeria’s financial system.

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9. Chinyere Don-Okhuofu, divisional CEO, Interswitch Group

Chinyere Don‑Okhuofu is a seasoned fintech and digital payments executive driving strategic expansion and adoption of digital commerce solutions across Nigeria and beyond. She serves as the Divisional Chief Executive Officer, Sales Networks at Interswitch Group, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce platforms.

With over 16 years of experience in banking, financial control, strategy and electronic banking operations, Chinyere brings deep expertise to her leadership role, where she is responsible for broadening Interswitch’s footprint, driving merchant acquisitions, and ensuring businesses adopt digital payment solutions.

She joined Interswitch in January 2012 as Chief ATM and Devices Officer, before rising through the ranks to lead industry vertical markets and sales strategy. Under her direction, Interswitch’s digital payment infrastructure, spanning Quickteller, Verve and enterprise solutions, has seen deeper market penetration across sectors including retail, corporate, and government.

A qualified Chartered Accountant, Chinyere is an alumna of Lagos Business School and London Business School, bringing both technical and strategic insight to fintech growth.

Her leadership contributes to strengthening the foundational infrastructure that supports cashless transactions and financial inclusion in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Interswitch, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Lagos, has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s payment landscape and remains a cornerstone of the region’s fintech ecosystem.

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10. Emelia Sunday-Edet, head of Engineering/Product, FlashChange

Emelia Sunday‑Edet is a product and engineering leader at FlashChange, a fast‑growing digital finance company redefining secure digital asset exchange, bill payments, and everyday financial services for users across Africa. She serves as Head of Product & Engineering, bringing a strong background in software quality assurance, product development, and cross‑functional leadership to Nigeria’s burgeoning fintech landscape.

In her role, Emelia guides the product vision, strategy, and execution for FlashChange’s suite of financial solutions, ensuring reliability, security and user trust are built into products from conception through launch.

Her leadership has been instrumental in evolving the platform beyond basic trading into a multipurpose digital financial ecosystem that meets the real‑world transaction needs of everyday users, including payments, airtime/data recharges, and digital asset conversion, all while maintaining high standards of performance and user experience.

Prior to taking on her current responsibilities, Emelia developed deep expertise in product quality and engineering workflows, leading cross‑disciplinary teams and fostering disciplined execution practices that deliver resilient fintech products tailored for emerging markets. She also serves as Training Lead at The Bug Detectives, a global quality assurance community where she mentors aspiring tech professionals and supports practitioners transitioning into software development and testing roles.

Emelia is passionate about trust‑centered innovation, believing that scalable fintech solutions must combine technical excellence with user confidence and accessibility.

Her voice has been featured in thought leadership about how fintechs must go beyond product updates to reimagine how people interact with money and financial services in their daily lives.

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FACTS about Nigeria’s Fintech Ecosystem

• Combined Valuation of Top Fintechs: Nigeria’s largest fintech companies, such as Flutterwave, OPay, Moniepoint, Interswitch, PalmPay, Moove, Kuda, Paystack, and Paga, have a combined estimated market valuation of about $10.6 billion as of January 2026.

• • Flutterwave alone is valued at around $3 billion, with OPay close behind at $2.75 billion.
• Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem attracted over $1 billion in investments in 2025, reflecting sustained investor confidence in the sector’s long‑term growth potential.
• Broader industry estimates project that Nigeria’s fintech market, spanning payments, lending, wallets, digital banking, wealthtech and more, could grow from an estimated $5.2 billion in 2025 to over $17 billion by 2033, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of ~16%.
• The digital payments segment alone is projected to contribute roughly $6 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by 2026, highlighting fintech’s deepening role in the national economy.

Together, these figures illustrate that Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem is not only financially sizeable but also a key driver of economic activity, investment attraction, and digital financial inclusion in Africa’s largest market, and women are not just part of the drive, they lead!

The company described the growth as a major milestone that brings millions more consumers and small businesses into the continent’s fast-expanding digital economy.

This accelerated progress underscores the strong advancement of digital payments, technology, and innovation in Africa, a transformation that traditionally would have taken several years to accomplish.

The surge comes in a year defined by new market entries, significant investment, product innovation and an expanded on-ground presence, efforts that reinforce Mastercard’s role in powering Africa’s projected $1.5 trillion digital payments market by 2030.

Mastercard Deepens African Footprint with New Markets, New Teams

Over the past two years, Mastercard has accelerated its Africa expansion, opening new offices in Ghana, Uganda and Mauritius, with the aim of further markets set for launch in 2026.

The company also grew its employee base by almost 20% across the continent, strengthening local capabilities and enabling co-creation of solutions tailored to the needs of African communities and merchants.

Alongside its footprint expansion, Mastercard advanced key digital infrastructure, including tokenization upgrades, digital identity capabilities and virtual card enhancements, to bolster trust, safety and convenience across online and in-person payments.

SME Growth at the Center of Mastercard’s Business Strategy

SMEs, Africa’s economic backbone, are a top focus. With consumer spending expected to rise across major markets (Kenya 4%, Morocco 3.4%, Nigeria 6%, South Africa 1.9%), demand for digital tools has surged.

Digital payment tools are also essential for SMEs to meet evolving business needs, enabling them to pay and get paid seamlessly, access credit, strengthen financial resilience, and operate with enhanced safety and security in an increasingly digital economy.

These tools include, tap on phone solutions, the Mastercard Payment Gateway System (MPGS)- that enables e-Commerce transactions, QR Payment capabilities like QR pay by link and QR on card solutions, Point of Sale solutions and Business Payment Control Capabilities, which enable virtual card issuance.

Mastercard is helping to advance Africa’s SME ecosystem through pan-African collaborations that enable seamless cross-border payments, credit solutions, and marketplace digitization.

Fuelled by these cross-sector collaborations that include governments, FMCGs and Telcos, the company has launched 15 new SME-focused programs in the past 18 months.

Key SME milestones have included:

• South Africa: Driving financial inclusion in South Africa through our partners in the FI and Non-FI space, unlocking growth, addressing access-to-credit constraints, and empowering thousands of SMEs to scale and grow with confidence.
• Morocco: Co-developed the country’s first Digital Marketplace with BCP, the Ministry of Handicrafts and Paysky, benefiting 3 million artisans.
• Nigeria:
  • New QR-on-Card solutions with UBA and WEMA enabling 8 million SMEs and gig workers to accept seamless payments.
  • USD cards with Zenith Bank supporting 50,000+ SMEs with effortless cross-border trade.
• Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania: Collaborations with NMB, AfrAsia, Family Bank and KCB to empower 200,000+ SMEs with digital solutions. 

Driving Financial Inclusion Across Underserved Communities

Mastercard is actively using Community Pass as part of its efforts to increase digital access in underserved and rural areas, especially in Africa. Community Pass is a social enterprise initiative that digitizes and connects remote, and rural communities to governments, NGOs, and private sector services.

As part of this initiative, Mastercard aims to register 15 million users in Africa within five years through the platform. Mastercard Community Pass has already reached 1.2 million smallholder farmers in Uganda and represents our unwavering commitment towards financial empowerment

Through the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Mastercard and key stakeholders aim to expand access to digital services for 100 million individuals and businesses by 2034. Since launching in May 2024, the MADE Alliance has engaged in Kenya by:

• Enabling affordable high-speed internet and digital training for 13 cooperatives, reaching 10,000+ farmers.
• Launching Farm Pass deployment to digitize profiles of more than 80,000 farmers.
• Building capacity for 250,000 farmers through local cooperative partners.

Commenting, Mark Elliott, division president, Africa, Mastercard, said:

“2025 has been a defining year for Mastercard in Africa. From acceptance growth to new digital capabilities, our focus has been on solutions that bring people and small businesses into the heart of the digital economy. Our collaborations across Africa will continue to connect more people and businesses to the financial system, helping drive greater financial inclusion and economic opportunity, as we collectively look towards a $1.5 trillion digital economy by 2030.”

For Mohamed Benomar, country manager, North West Africa:

“North Africa’s expanding fintech ecosystem and strong infrastructure make it a critical engine for digital commerce. Mastercard’s investments strengthen support for governments, consumers and SMEs alike.”

Shehryar Ali, SVP & country manager, East Africa & Indian Ocean Islands, also said:

“East Africa continues to lead the world in digital financial inclusion. This year we scaled cross-border solutions, virtual cards and acceptance growth to enable more trusted digital engagement.”

Folasade Femi-Lawal, country manager, West Africa:

“West Africa is one of the continent’s fastest-growing digital corridors. Mastercard’s security-led innovations and acceptance expansion helped more SMEs and young entrepreneurs access modern payments.”

Gabriel Swanepoel, country manager, Southern Africa:

“With South Africa driving Mastercard’s real-time payments capability globally, 2025 was a breakthrough year for innovation. Our collaboration on digital identity further strengthened secure, frictionless digital commerce.”

Looking Ahead: AI to Power Africa’s Next Digital Leap

Mastercard predicts that technologies such as AI and agentic commerce will define the next era of commerce, with Africa’s AI market projected to reach $16.5 billion by 2030.

In 2026, Mastercard said it will continue advancing financial inclusion, expanding across markets and introducing more locally relevant digital solutions, all while investing in the infrastructure needed to support a more secure and connected African economy.

The forum focused on building the infrastructure, trust and interoperability needed to support Africa’s fast-growing digital economy, projected to reach USD 1.5 trillion by 2030, and create new opportunities for consumers and small businesses.

Hosted by Mark Elliott, division president, Africa, Mastercard, the event brought together senior representatives from banks, fintech companies, telcos, regulators and technology partners.

Speakers and panelists discussed how to expand low-cost acceptance, improve interoperability and enhance security at scale to create a more inclusive and resilient economy.

With internet penetration in Africa projected to grow at 20 percent annually, participants agreed that seamless, secure and connected payment systems are essential to sustaining growth and unlocking new opportunities for trade and entrepreneurship.

During the event, Mastercard showcased two breakthrough innovations shaping the future of digital commerce.

The first-ever Agent Pay transaction in EEMEA was executed live, marking a major step toward autonomous, secure and accessible payment experiences.

In addition, Mastercard launched the Merchant Cloud, a unified platform that brings together payments, AI and security to help merchants grow their businesses confidently in an omnichannel environment. Both innovations underscore Mastercard’s commitment to building intelligent, inclusive and resilient payment ecosystems that power Africa’s digital transformation.

Mark Elliott, division president, Africa, Mastercard, said,

“Africa Edge is a reflection of Mastercard’s long-term commitment to this continent. It is about collaboration and supporting partners across the ecosystem to deliver secure, seamless and accessible digital experiences that help people and businesses grow. Africa’s digital economy is scaling fast, and Mastercard is proud to be a trusted technology partner helping power that growth.”

Throughout the day, discussions highlighted the growing importance of payment immediacy and liquidity, with panelists noting how same-day settlement helps small businesses absorb shocks, reduce borrowing needs and reinvest faster.

South Africa’s real-time clearing system was cited as a model as Mastercard advances instant-payment capabilities across multiple African markets.

Ling Hai, president of APEMEA, Mastercard, further highlighted faster payments as critical to helping small businesses manage cash flow and grow.

He emphasized that Africa’s digital future depends on simple, safe and accessible payment solutions that work across markets and devices, calling for closer collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure innovation benefits everyone.

Futurist John Sanei, the event’s keynote speaker, explored how human adaptability and emotional intelligence will define leadership success in an era of AI-driven change.

A spotlight session with Smile ID addressed the rising threat of synthetic identities and deepfakes, highlighting how Mastercard and Smile ID are combining AI-driven liveness checks and verification to strengthen digital onboarding and reduce fraud across African markets.

Folasade Femi-Lawal, country manager, West Africa, Mastercard, said:

“West Africa is home to one of the world’s fastest-growing fintech sectors. Nigeria alone accounted for 28 percent of all African fintech companies in 2024, attracting nearly USD 400 million in investment. By combining global technology with local insight, we are helping banks, fintechs and innovators build open, trusted and scalable infrastructure. Our collaborations with governments, banks and fintech companies in the region are making digital payments simpler and safer for millions, proving that inclusion and innovation can move forward together.”

The event culminated in a celebratory awards ceremony and gala dinner, recognizing outstanding contributions from Mastercard’s partners and customers across Africa who are advancing innovation and inclusion in the digital economy.

• Near-real-time funds delivery to over 60 countries, powered by Mastercard, now available through Fidelity Bank branches and digital platforms.
• Collaboration aims to bring a fast, reliable, and cost-effective cross-border payment solution to individuals and businesses in Nigeria.

Fidelity Bank Plc, a financial institution in Nigeria and Mastercard have collaborated to launch Fidelity Send, a new initiative to enhance cross-border payments and remittances in Nigeria.

The collaboration leverages Mastercard’s extensive global network to facilitate near-real-time and cost-effective outbound transactions, driving financial inclusion in the country.

The new solution utilizes Mastercard Cross Border Services—a leading money transfer platform that allows participating banks to use the global Mastercard network to send money safely and securely to beneficiary bank accounts across the world.

Individuals and businesses using Fidelity Bank branches and digital platforms now have access to near-real-time funds delivery to over 60 countries.

Cross-border remittances continue to play an important role in Africa’s economy, with flows to Sub-Saharan Africa increasing by approximately 1.9% in 2023 to $54 billion, with Nigeria accounting for 38% of the flows.

In 2024, remittance flows to the region are projected to increase by 2.5%, presenting significant opportunities for businesses to expand their services and tap into the growing market of financial transactions across borders. However, limited banking infrastructure, high fees, and long processing times hinder adoption.

This collaboration aims to address these challenges by providing a faster, more reliable, cost-effective, and transparent solution with lower fees, no landing fees, wider management options, and guaranteed funds delivery—aligning perfectly with the evolving needs of customers.

Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development at Fidelity Bank Plc, said: 

“Our collaboration with Mastercard to introduce Fidelity Send demonstrates our commitment to meeting our customers’ business and lifestyle needs through carefully designed products and services. We are pleased to offer our valued customers a quick and seamless means of receiving or transferring funds globally via a range of service touchpoints.”

Fidelity Send is designed to bridge the gap in cross-border payments by providing the Fidelity Bank’s growing customer base with an enhanced banking experience. This solution also addresses the key challenge of managing foreign currency fluctuations during international money transfers.

Folasade Femi-Lawal, country manager, West Africa, Mastercard, said:

“We are honored to collaborate with Fidelity Bank to introduce innovative solutions that offer greater choice, security, and flexibility to individuals and businesses in Nigeria.  Through advancements in payment technology, we aim to empower people and enhance financial inclusion for millions in underserved communities.”

In recent years, Mastercard has amplified its efforts to facilitate better access to cross-border payments in Nigeria and across the continent, in line with its commitment to bringing one billion individuals into the digital economy by 2025.

This collaboration with Fidelity Bank strengthens this initiative and enables both parties to connect and power an inclusive digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.

• Mastercard and Access Bank Group have launched a unified cross-border money movement solution across various African markets, enabling businesses and consumers to send and receive international payments to and from 150+ countries.
• Access Bank will provide a fast, assured-value, transparent and traceable payment origination and delivery solution at competitive rates and with a greater choice to the customer.
• Collaboration underlines both organizations’ commitment to the African economy by providing a financially inclusive solution that optimizes liquidity and capital in the markets and reduces international transaction costs incurred by businesses and consumers while making and receiving international payments.

A leading multinational bank, Access Bank Group, has today launched an innovative solution in collaboration with Mastercard to expand access to cross-border payments and remittances to and from the continent, bringing Africa closer to the global economy.

By leveraging the network and treasury capabilities of Mastercard Move, Access Bank, through its cutting-edge Access Africa platform, shall empower individuals and businesses to enjoy instant, traceable, seamless, and cost-effective international transactions.

Effective today, the newly launched solution will be operational across Africa, with expansion plans in place for further penetration across the continent.

The solution offers a global gateway for businesses and individuals that are leveraging Access Bank Group’s deep understanding of the African markets and forward-looking vision that aims to realise customers aspirations through innovative product sets.

Stitching together Mastercard’s multiple complementary network assets and the treasury capabilities of Mastercard Move, this collaboration offers customers more choices with their payment means.

Cross-border remittances continue to play an important role in Africa’s economy, with flows to Sub-Saharan Africa increasing by approximately 1.9% in 2023 to $54 billion as a result of strong remittance growth in Mozambique, Rwanda and Ethiopia, with Nigeria accounting for 38% of the remittance flows.

In 2024, remittance flows to the region are projected to increase by 2.5%. B2B Cross Border payments serve as a lifeline to a large section of businesses who are reliant on regional and international trade to fuel the growth of the African economies.

Speaking at a joint press conference today, Chizoma Okoli, the group deputy managing director, Access Bank, said that Access Bank’s partnership with Mastercard is a testament to the strong alliance between the two organisations notable for innovation and customer-centered approach.

Meanwhile, Access Bank and Mastercard have partnered on several initiatives, including the National Identity Smart Cards, Live B3ta, Prepaid cards, Access Pay and more.

“The unified cross-border money movement solution we are launching today cuts across various African markets where Access Bank operates, and we are working in compliance with the regulatory requirements of each of these countries. Access Bank remains a regulatory compliant entity. Our customers should expect speedy transactions through the unified cross-border money movement solution, like we have done with other solutions”, Okoli added.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Mastercard to advance financial inclusion in Africa through the Access Africa initiative,” said Robert Giles, senior advisory, Retail Banking, Access Bank. “By combining our strengths, we can unlock new opportunities, bridge the financial divide, and create a more inclusive and prosperous future for all Africans.”

Customers in Access Bank’s operating countries in Africa, are now enabled to send and receive cross-border payments globally through to and from various channels including bank accounts, mobile wallets, cards, and cash.

“Empowering Access Bank customers with innovative solutions that prioritize choice, security, and flexibility is an achievement that fills us with great pride. This collaboration signifies our commitment to transforming payment experiences as it not only brings cutting-edge payment solutions to the bank’s diverse clientele, but also extends the reach of Mastercard’s financial and digital ecosystem, ensuring millions from underserved communities can actively participate in the evolving financial and digital economy,” adds Mark Elliott, division president for Africa at Mastercard.

On her part, Folasade Femi-Lawal, the country manager for West Africa at Mastercard said that Mastercard’s partnership-led approach has helped the company establish a strong presence in West Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

She added that with Access Bank on board, the customers will enjoy Mastercard cross-border services which allow individuals and businesses to send and receive money securely to 90% of the world’s population.

According to her, the service is part of the Mastercard Move portfolio of money movement capabilities, which can move money domestically and internationally to various endpoints, including bank accounts, digital wallets, cards, and cash.

Fable Fintech, an Express Partner of the Mastercard Move Partner Program, was the technical implementation partner of the solution, effectively collaborating with both Access Africa and Mastercard Move experts.

Naushad Contractor, co-founder and CEO of Fable Fintech added: “We were fortunate to be the fulcrum of the seamless multi-country integration of one of the largest banks in Africa using the network and resilience of Mastercard’s cross-border assets. We look forward to working on more innovative solutions that will empower the lives of African customers and businesses.”

This groundbreaking collaboration represents a significant step towards creating a more inclusive financial ecosystem in Africa, with both parties determined to continue actively leveraging their collective strengths, resources, and expertise to drive meaningful change and financial inclusion for millions across the continent.

Meet the Partners

Access Bank

• Access Bank, today is the largest bank in Nigeria and Africa’s leading bank by customer base.  It is a full-service commercial bank operating through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets, spanning three continents, 21 countries and over 60 million customers.
• The Bank employs 28,000 thousand people in its operations in Nigeria, Sub Saharan Africa and the United Kingdom, with representative offices in China, Lebanon, India and the UAE.  
• It continues to look at opportunities to build its network in global trade and payment centres, helping Africa to play its part on the world stage.

Mastercard

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) is a global technology company in the payments industry. The mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible.

Using secure data and networks, collaborations and passion, Mastercard’s innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses realize their greatest potential. 

Fable Fintech

Fable Fintech is an international Cross-border payment solution company. Fable plays prominently in the B2B segment and provides money transfer solutions for banks and other business entities.

It also provides multi-country, multi-currency, omnichannel, KYC, or AML-compliant rem-tech products.

The event served as a demonstration of the leading payments technology company’s ongoing commitment to the growth and development of the fintech landscape.

Fast becoming one of the industry’s most anticipated tech gatherings, the forum brought together key representatives from the fintech community, commercial banks, microfinance banks, processors, investors, regulators, and the government, to discuss critical developments and trends in the Nigerian fintech landscape, delve into Mastercard’s strides in facilitating the ecosystem’s growth, and identify potential opportunities within the industry.

Fintech companies have been at the forefront of revolutionizing various industries, serving as powerful vehicles for locally relevant solutions, financial inclusion, and innovative partnerships between financial institutions, governments, merchants, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), both globally and locally.

This transformative role is underscored by the sustained investment in the industry, with the Nigerian fintech sector witnessing a remarkable surge, receiving over $1 billion in the last two years alone – more than triple the industry’s total figure and accounting for more than one-third of the $2.7 billion invested in African fintech since July 2021.

“Mastercard’s Fintech Forum has become an avenue to advance discussions on the development of the industry in Nigeria, and we are proud to be the vehicles of this change. The discussions this year underscored the pivotal role of collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of Nigeria’s fintech landscape. Mastercard remains unwavering in our commitment to power this positive change, offer support, and lead the evolution of the industry,” said Folasade Femi-Lawal, the country manager and area business head for West Africa at Mastercard.

The event also featured a fireside chat titled “Mastercard’s Role in Fintech Ecosystem Collaboration”. During this discussion, Dimitrios Dosis, President of Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA) at Mastercard, said: “Fintechs continue to stand as the trailblazers, pushing boundaries and reshaping industries. Their penchant for innovation is not just transformative, it is integral to the very fabric of our industry and the broader economy. Mastercard, as a driving force, is proud to champion the pivotal role of fintechs, recognizing their significance in fostering economic progress. As a leading technology provider, we will continue to innovate, and support and collaborate with them to drive locally relevant solutions and initiatives for maximized impact. We’re committed to being the catalyst that propels the ecosystem forward, facilitating a future where technology empowers individuals, businesses, and economies to participate in the global economy.”

The fireside chat was followed by a panel session titled “Digitization and Its Role in Nigeria’s Economic Development”, during which speakers delved into digitization, its role in enhancing efficiency across all sectors, opportunities, and the importance of balancing innovation and inclusivity to maximize its impact on Nigeria’s economic development.

During the session, Nasir Yammama, senior special assistant to the President, Innovation, said:

“Nigeria’s digital transformation and ever-evolving fintech and banking landscape presents exciting possibilities. The ongoing innovation boom acts as the cornerstone for advancing digital public infrastructure, fostering financial inclusion, and propelling economic growth. As always, the government remains committed to creating an enabling environment and collaborating with key industry players to drive more impactful innovations and pave the way for a future where every individual and business can thrive in a digital-first global environment through well-informed, inclusive policies and initiatives.”

Mark Elliott, division president, Mastercard Sub-Saharan Africa, closed the event and offered insights into the fintech landscape.

He emphasised the importance of the fintech industry and highlighted the significance of inclusive innovation and collaboration in driving sustained economic development.

“Mastercard is providing fintechs with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive in the ever-evolving digital economy. Whether it’s through innovative solutions or strategic partnerships with key players in the industry, Mastercard has demonstrated its commitment to shaping the future of fintech and contributing to the growth and success of the broader ecosystem,” said Mark Elliott, Division President, Mastercard Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Mastercard Fintech Forum not only celebrated the achievements and advancements in Nigeria’s fintech sector, but also revealed a shared vision among industry leaders, which encompassed a future where strategic collaboration continues to be a driving force for positive change, innovation, and widespread financial inclusion, not only in Nigeria but on a global scale.

Mastercard has announced the launch of two innovative products in collaboration with Zenith Bank, the Mastercard Naija Card and the World Elite Credit Card, designed to address the diverse financial needs of Nigerians.

These payment cards are set to accelerate financial inclusion in the country, catering to the unique needs of multiple market segments.

As part of Mastercard’s financial inclusion strategy, the Mastercard Naija Card aims to provide affordable banking solutions to consumers who have historically been excluded from traditional financial services.

This innovative product will enable financial institutions to reach a wider customer base, contributing to the goal of reducing the number of financially excluded individuals in Nigeria, which stands at 28.8 million as of 2023.

Alternatively, the World Elite Credit Card, a premium credit card designed for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, offers a host of benefits and discounts, including travel, lifestyle, and health and insurance services.

With the World Elite Credit Card, targeted cardholders can enjoy a higher level of service at home and abroad.

“We are excited to launch these groundbreaking solutions with Zenith Bank. They represent a significant step forward in our mission to connect one billion people to the digital economy by 2025. By providing affordable banking solutions catering to the unique needs of diverse consumer segments, our vision of powering a more inclusive financial ecosystem that benefits everyone, moves a step closer to fruition,” said Folasade Femi-Lawal, country manager and Area Business Head, West Africa, at Mastercard.

This collaboration represents a significant milestone as Mastercard introduces its first domestic card in Africa and the World Elite Credit Card in West Africa, underscoring the company’s dedication to expanding access to first-rate, locally relevant financial services.

Additionally, it aligns with the shared mission of both Mastercard and Zenith Bank – driving the former’s objective of nurturing inclusive financial markets and the latter’s mission of fostering innovation, superior performance, and delivering premium value to all stakeholders.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Mastercard to launch these innovative products which will significantly bolster financial inclusion and address the unique requirements of our customers. These solutions demonstrate our unwavering commitment to delivering accessible and bespoke financial services across all customer segments,” said Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, GMD/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc.

With this collaboration, Mastercard and Zenith Bank stand poised to redefine the financial landscape in Nigeria and West Africa, offering enhanced control and access to a world of premium, bespoke services, and driving a shared vision of progress and accessibility.

With over 25 years of multifaceted experience spanning financial services, management consulting, telecommunications, and business advisory services, Folasade brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role.

As Country Manager, Folasade is responsible for further driving the company’s strategic vision, innovation and growth agenda, as well as strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders, and advancing the company’s mission of building a more connected and inclusive digital economy in West Africa.

Folasade brings a wealth of experience as a trusted senior executive, having displayed her ability to consistently achieve business growth objectives in start-up, turnaround, and rapidly changing environments. She has successfully led initiatives in Mobile Financial Services and Digital Banking Strategy at First Bank, Nigeria, over the past decade, and significantly grew the card subscriber base and market share as the Head of Cards & Messaging Business.

Prior to her tenure at First Bank, Folasade served as the Head of the Loan Monitoring Unit at the United Bank of Africa, overseeing critical aspects of credit risk management. With a robust background in digital payments, she has played instrumental roles in driving innovation and enhancing customer experiences across the banking sector.

Before her banking roles, she also excelled as a consultant at PwC and played a pivotal role at Airtel, managing the Regional Balanced Scorecard for eight regions.

“We are delighted to welcome Folasade to the Mastercard family. Folasade’s vast experience across the digital payments’ ecosystem will be a huge asset to the Mastercard business in West Africa. She arrives at a pivotal time when digital innovation is transforming the country’s payments landscape, moving Nigeria toward a cashless society. Folasade will work closely with various private and public sector stakeholders in the country to help further this transformation. Her proven track record of leadership, innovation, and dedication to driving positive change and results aligns perfectly with our vision for the region.” said Mark Elliott, division president for Sub-Saharan Africa at Mastercard.

Folasade is renowned for her commitment to fostering inclusive growth and empowerment, particularly for women and children, as evident through her extensive philanthropic endeavours and mentorship roles with organizations like Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WimBiz), the United States, White House Initiative – Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and FirstBank Women Network.

In her new role, Folasade Femi-Lawal will be responsible for driving Mastercard’s strategic initiatives, strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders, and advancing the company’s mission of building a more connected and inclusive digital economy in West Africa.

“Mastercard’s unwavering commitment to excellence, cutting-edge solutions, partnerships, and initiatives have consistently set industry standards as it concerns financial inclusion, economic empowerment, digital transformation, and innovation.  As such, I am extremely honoured to take on this role and I look forward to partnering with the amazing Mastercard teams, as well as its customers, clients and partners, as we work together to shape the future of payments and drive digital transformation and inclusion. I am eager to support the Nigerian government’s agenda for developing a powerful, inclusive and secure digital economy, while I welcome the opportunity to further elevate our presence and deliver unparalleled value to our clients and customers,” said Folasade Femi-Lawal, new country manager, West Africa.

Folasade Femi-Lawal holds a wealth of accolades, including being honoured with the Outstanding Women in Management award by the United Nations Association in Nigeria and named one of the Top 50 Women in Management Africa by Women in Management Africa.

She also recently served as the Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Committee of eBusiness Industry Heads (CEBIH) and is a member of the Forbes Business Development Council.

Beyond professional pursuits, Folasade enjoys singing, writing, and spending quality time with her family.

Global payments technology company, Mastercard and B2B commerce platform, Boost, have collaborated to provide digital payment wallets and embedded supply chain finance to empower and expand small businesses in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector in Africa.

This collaboration aims to provide support to distributors, wholesalers, and retailers in the FMCG sector, all of whom will be provided with Boost’s innovative platform as a service to access essential working capital and Mastercard’s acceptance solutions.

Mastercard will enable Boost to offer digital payment and credit solutions to their micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) customers across their current and future markets, amplifying the company’s impact whilst contributing to Mastercard’s mission of fostering an inclusive digital economy.

This strategic collaboration aims to provide financial institutions with the capability to issue digital payment solutions and expand into the micro-retail space, whilst empowering merchants to digitize payments and access working capital.

Furthermore, it will ensure a broader array of FMCG products for consumers with easier product payments through the availability of digital payment solutions.

“We are thrilled to enter into this scaling partnership with Mastercard in pursuit of Boost’s mission to enable small businesses to thrive in the digital economy, to create sustainable jobs and income,” said Mike Quinn, co-founder and CEO, of Boost. “We have already proven that Boost’s model can scale widely across, and deeply within, emerging markets by building strong partnerships to digitize end-to-end supply chains between manufacturers and point-of-sale retailers. Mastercard will help us take our model to the next level to create transformative value for our customers and partners while fueling our global ambitions.”

This collaboration reiterates Mastercard’s commitment to including MSMEs in the digital ecosystem.

“We are excited to embark on this transformative journey with Boost, as we understand the challenges that small businesses face, By digitizing payments and creating a track record for their transactions, we will enable more MSME’s to access credit facilities and scale their businesses Through the delivery of integrated digital payment solutions and supply chain finance, we believe we are empowering MSMEs with essential tools to not only survive, but thrive.

This collaboration underscores our dedication to advance MSME growth in emerging markets and foster economic growth and financial inclusion through innovative digital solutions,” said Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager and Area Business Head, West Africa, Mastercard.

In cementing this monumental collaboration with Boost, Mastercard moves a step closer to realizing its goal of bringing a total of one billion people and 50 million micro and small businesses into the digital economy by 2025.

Also, the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD22): “Break the Bias” is more than a call to action—it’s a celebration of resilience, brilliance, and progress.

From tech startups to AI labs, fintech platforms to policy-making tables, African women are increasingly claiming their space and redefining what leadership looks like in the digital age.

Yet, their journey is far from easy. Deep-seated cultural norms, limited access to resources, and systemic gender gaps continue to pose challenges.

On the occasion of IWD22, Techeconomy celebrates 15 women who are confronting these biases head-on—innovating, inspiring, and building inclusive digital ecosystems that empower the next generation. It is a tribute to their courage and a blueprint for a more equitable digital future:

1. Lillian Barnard

Microsoft Africa President Lillian Barnard has spent more than two decades in the ICT industry.

In 2019 she became Microsoft South Africa’s first female chief executive since Microsoft reinvested in the country in the early 1990s and in 2023 she was promoted to Microsoft Africa president.

She has held various executive positions, both locally and abroad, and has served on numerous boards.

Before joining Microsoft, she served as chief sales officer at Vodacom and worked for IBM for 15 years, including a seven-year international assignment in France and Switzerland.

Barnard is passionate about the empowerment of women, and at Microsoft she is prompting a culture that encourages gender equality in the workplace.

She also previously worked with Duke Corporate Education to design a women-only course that helps female employees become the agents of change by amplifying feminine voices and views in the workplace.

Her advice to other women and young girls is to “be bold, be fearless and to surround themselves with people who inspire and challenge them to be their best self.”

2. Funke Opeke

Funke Opeke is the founder and CEO of MainOne, a telecommunication and networks company, and following a US$320 million acquisition in 2022, MainOne now forms part of Equinix – a US-based digital infrastructure company.

Nigerian-born Opeke spent 20 years of her career in the US – with high-profile roles like executive director of Verizon Communications Wholesale Division.

In 2005 she decided to return to Nigeria to take up the role of chief technical officer at MTN. After that, she advised Transcorp on the acquisition of the former state telecoms monopoly, NITEL, and briefly served as the interim COO post-acquisition.

Before the Equinix acquisition MainOne built West Africa’s first privately owned, open access submarine cable system – a 7,000km system with landing stations in Nigeria, Ghana and Portugal and reserved branching units in Morocco, Canary Islands, Senegal and Ivory Coast.

The $240 million project was completed in 2010 – on time and on budget.

“To even the imbalance against women in technology, there is a need for initiatives aimed at engaging, inspiring and empowering women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and math fields (STEM) at an early age,” Opeke told Connecting Africa in a previous interview.

3. Nollie Maoto

Chief Data and Analytics Officer for Merchant Services at FNB Nollie Maoto has over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry and is a seasoned speaker and panelist when it comes to the data and analytics industry, not just in South Africa but also globally.

Maoto is passionate about the data and analytics industry and more so, the empowerment and advancement of women in this industry globally.

She champions a movement to train more female data scientists, as the results show that data analytics teams including women not only perform better, but women also bring diverse perspectives which help counter biases when creating algorithms in areas like artificial intelligence (AI).

Maoto has many accolades under her belt, including being crowned Data Analytics Leader of the Year 2022 by Dalebrook Media South Africa.

She was also named one of CDO Magazine’s Global Data Power Women for 2022 and was one of the 2022 Corinium Global Top 100 Leaders in Data & Analytics.

She was nominated as one of the 50 most inspiring women in the STEM sectors in South Africa by Inspiring Fifty SA in 2021 and was named the CDO Ambassador for South Africa in 2022.

4. Folasade Femi-Lawal

With over 25 years of experience, Folasade Femi-Lawal was recently appointed as Mastercard head for West Africa.

She previously led the cards and messaging business at First Bank in Nigeria, where she contributed to the bank’s mobile financial services and digital banking strategy.

Before joining First Bank, Femi-Lawal was the head of the United Bank of Africa’s loan monitoring unit and previously worked at Airtel.

Femi-Lawal is currently helping strengthen Mastercard’s partnerships with key stakeholders and aims to advance its mission of building a more connected and inclusive digital economy in West Africa.

She is eager to support the Nigerian government’s agenda for developing a powerful, inclusive and secure digital economy – including for women.

5. Velma Corcoran

Velma Corcoran is a firm believer in the potential of technology to drive inclusive growth and entrepreneurship across Africa, especially for women.

Corcoran leads Airbnb’s campaigns work across the Middle East and Africa region, including the creation of the Airbnb Africa Academy and the Africa Travel Summit.

She is obsessed with how Airbnb can redefine travel in Africa and take tourism to people and places that need it most, and the role technology will play in unlocking this potential.

She joined Airbnb in March 2016 as the regional market manager for sub-Saharan Africa.

Before this she led marketing for Cape Town Tourism, where her team won numerous awards for destination marketing leadership, including awards from the UNWTO, Travel & Leisure Smitty Awards, and Cannes Gold.

6. Maya Horgan Famodu

Maya Horgan Famodu is the founder of Ingressive Capital, a venture fund that supports African tech startups. She is also the founder of Ingressive for Good, a non-governmental organisation providing training, talent placement and scholarships to African talents. Famodu was featured in Forbes’s “Under 30 Technology” and “10 Inspiring Women Ruling Nigeria’s Tech Ecosystem” in 2019.

7. Odunayo Eweniyi

Odunayo Eweniyi is the co-founder and COO of PiggyVest, a digital investment platform in Nigeria. She is a business executive and activist with a background in Business Analysis and Operations spanning 7 years.

She has won numerous awards including the Forbes Woman Africa Technology and Innovation Award, the Future Awards Africa Prize in Technology, Forbes Africa on the 30 under 30 Technology, and many others.

8. Cynthia Duru

Cynthia’s thrives on building innovative and resilient systems that drive digital transformation across various industries.

Beyond her engineering work, Cynthia is a passionate mentor and advocate for women in technology.

She actively contributes to the growth of Africa’s tech ecosystem by mentoring and guiding the next generation of female engineers.

Many of her mentees have gone on to secure roles at leading companies such as Interswitch, Shell Nigeria, and several other prominent organizations, underscoring her commitment to lifting others as she climbs.

9. Rebecca Enonchong

Rebecca Enonchong, known as “Queen of Tech” is the founder of AppsTech, a leading provider of enterprise application solutions in Cameroon.

She is Co-founder of Cameroon Angels Network and Co-founder and vice president of African Business Angels Network (ABAN).

Rebecca currently serves as a mentor/advisor to several technology startups. She has won numerous awards as well as several recognitions. She is a serial entrepreneur and a reliable source of tech information in Africa.

10. Fatoumata Ba

Fatoumata Ba, a Senegalese tech entrepreneur, is the founder of Janngo Capital where she heads creation, growth, and investment in pan-African ‘tech for good’ champions. Janngo is Africa’s largest gender-equal tech fund, working towards proven business models and social impact.

She is the founding CEO of Jumia in Ivory Coast, managing director in Nigeria, and an Executive Committee member at the African level.

She has been the mastermind behind the success of over 130 operations across over 30 countries, generating thousands of jobs and empowering countless SMEs.

11. Eloho Omame

Eloho Omame is the co-founder of First Check Africa, a female-led startup building financial services, education, healthcare, and retail/commerce. She is an early-stage investor and a strong advocate for gender and inclusion in VC in Africa. She’s a partner at TLcom Capital, a seed-to-growth stage VC firm.

12. Jenny Daniel

Jenny Daniel is a seasoned Tech Sales Expert and currently serves as the Lead Sales Solution Expert at Gadol Finance. With a strong background in B2B technology sales and financial solutions, Jenny brings strategic insight and a customer-centric approach to driving growth and delivering tailored sales strategies.

Her expertise lies in bridging complex tech products with business value, leading high-performing sales teams, and building client relationships that fuel sustainable success.

At Gadol Finance, she plays a pivotal role in crafting innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern enterprises.

13. Purity Maina

Purity is a Software Engineer from Nairobi who has been instrumental in transforming the tech space by building innovative solutions, she has been a voice shaping Kenyan Tech Space and encouraging women in Tech.

Her journey from Embu to becoming a tech professional serves as an inspiration to many aspiring women in technology

14. Cecilia Caroline Nalubega

Cecilia is a Software Engineer at Andela and serves as a Global Ambassador for the WomenTech Network in Uganda. She is committed to empowering women in tech and fostering a community of support and growth. ​

15. Olatokunbo Ogunlade 

Olatokunbo Ogunlade is recognized voice in Africa’s DevOps and cloud community, actively mentoring aspiring engineers across the continent.

Her advocacy focuses on increasing visibility, championing inclusion, and fostering technical excellence for African women navigating global tech spaces.