“In almost every African country today, you’ll find advanced local payment systems,” he told interviewer Kristen Scholer. “But the problem is, they don’t talk to each other. Flutterwave solves that. We help global companies scale in Africa, and we help Africans transact anywhere on the continent and beyond.”

That solution is anchored in Flutterwave’s unified API, a technology bridge that connects multinational giants like Uber, leading payment service providers (PSPs), and African enterprises such as Bamboo and Wakanow.

In doing so, Flutterwave tackles one of the continent’s most stubborn challenges: the lack of interoperability between national payment infrastructures.

The stakes are high. Africa’s growth trajectory is turning heads worldwide. The African Development Bank projects that 12 of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies by 2025 will be African, with average real GDP growth climbing to 4.4% in 2026. For Agboola, this isn’t just a statistic, it’s a signal.

“The demand for reliable, interoperable, and scalable payment solutions will only rise,” he said. “Flutterwave is positioning itself as the premier platform for payments in Africa.”

The company’s expansion has been swift, with renewed focus on profitability through enterprise growth and diaspora remittance solutions. But its mission extends far beyond corporate balance sheets. Flutterwave’s platform powers everyday payments for vital services, from healthcare to education, making digital transactions not just convenient, but transformative.

“We are building a systemically important platform for the continent,” Agboola affirmed. “Our goal is simple but profound: make payments easy, scalable, and accessible for every African.”

This year, the exclusive gathering brought together 35 corporate women in a safe, closed-door setting to explore the challenges of balancing life, career, family, and relationships.

The intimate session provided a platform for participants to share their stories, learn practical strategies, and gain valuable insights on blooming in every aspect of their lives.

The event builds on the foundation laid in April 2023, when Oluwasola Obagbemi, the convener of The Bloom Conversations with Sola, launched the initiative with 30 phenomenal women from diverse industries.

At the inaugural session, Sola shared her personal and professional journey, highlighting life lessons that have shaped her success. The atmosphere encouraged participants to share openly, creating a supportive space for growth and mutual encouragement.

The first edition featured distinguished speakers, including Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, Folake Sanu, Folake Soetan and Nkiru Olumide-Ojo.

These leaders shared invaluable insights on navigating life’s challenges with strength, resilience, and grace.

More than a year later, their lessons continue to inspire and fuel Sola’s vision of empowering women to bloom wherever life plants them.

“This second edition is about going deeper,” Sola shared during her address. “It’s about tackling the unspoken questions women often face, building resilience, and fostering a network of support where women can openly share and grow together. Traditional conferences, summits and webinars often lack the intimacy required for vulnerability and actionable problem-solving. The Bloom Conversations with Sola breaks those barriers, creating a space where women can connect, share, and win together.”

The 2.0 edition featured two inspiring speakers: Mrs. Folake Soetan, CEO of Ikeja Electric, who offered practical guidance on personal development in the workplace, goal setting, and nurturing relationships across life’s domains.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Adenike Macaulay, CEO of Wakanow, shared her experiences on building workplace allies, achieving balance, and investing in self-growth.

Together with Sola, they provided actionable insights to empower participants to overcome challenges and achieve their personal and professional goals.

This year’s event was made possible through the support of partners, including ProvidusBank, Bolt Nigeria, SM Productions, Firewood Jollofrice, DiosDelite, Poshclick, Johnvents, WakeyWhacks, CakesByDebbie, and Ego Foundation.

The event drew participants from across Nigeria featuring the Telecommunications, Media and Technology, (TMT) ecosystem including start-ups, players in fintech, content creators, etc.

The event featured two Nigerian technology industry leaders including Mr. Gbolahan Salami, senior vice president, Growth, Product, and Strategy at WakaNow, and Mr. Micheal Ogundare, who is the CEO and co-founder of Crop2Cash.

Both speakers shared insightful perspectives on leveraging digital technology to empower the next generation and foster inclusive growth.

Commenting on the International Youth Week webinar, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Mr. Ibukun Coker, said that through youth-friendly products, special business grants from the Bank’s youth-focused initiatives such as the Corpreneurship Challenge programme as well as other financing packages, the Bank will continue to accord priority to Micro, Small and Medium-sized businesses in technology.

He added:

“Empowering the youth through digital technology is key to unlocking sustainable development in Nigeria. At Unity Bank, we are committed to driving initiatives that bridge the digital divide and equip young people with the skills needed to thrive in today’s fast-evolving economy. This webinar is part of our ongoing effort to support the growth of a digitally inclusive society, ensuring that our youth are well-positioned to harness technology for positive change and economic progress.”

The event provided an opportunity for participants to interact directly with the speakers, with many expressing renewed optimism about their potential to leverage digital technology for personal and societal advancement.

Recall that recently Unity Ban PLc partnered with SkillPaddy in its “Count Her In” tech Programme focused on empowering no fewer than 1,000 female beneficiaries in Software Engineering Training.

The IT skill development and empowerment initiative was intended to bridge talent supply gaps while providing individuals with the opportunity to meet their training goals and launch careers in the tech industry.

About 40 young girls received full sponsorship from the Bank in the special training initiative, which was conceived as part of activities to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day 2024.

The ever innovative team is pushing this new mark with a fresh, user-friendly interface website with added features to better showcase Treepz’s range of services for companies looking to efficiently and sustainably move employees and clients in major African cities.

From on-demand employee shuttles, and school bus solutions to intra-city group trips for events and conferences, Treepz is positioning itself as an all-in-one corporate transportation provider.

Managing transportation logistics across multiple sites has always been an operational nightmare for companies,” said Onyeka Akumah, co-founder and chief executive officer of Treepz. “Our goal is to streamline that experience through Treepz’s powerful technology platform.”

With nearly 6,000 employees of companies daily relying on Treepz’s innovative tech and reliable fleet for employee transportation or staff bus commutes, we understand the complexities of managing corporate transportation firsthand.

“Our revamped website simplifies the process, offering businesses a seamless solution to optimize their transportation needs and empower their workforce in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana,” Onyeka added.

Key Features of the New Treepz Website

• Trackable Dashboard for a bird’s eye view of all guests’ trips in real-time when using Treepz.
• 24/7 customer support to assist with all mobility inquiries.
• Wide selection of vehicle options, each with professional drivers tailored to specific needs.
• Friendly interface for easy navigation and booking.
• Client testimonials and case studies showcasing Treepz’s success stories.

Treepz’s mission extends beyond just transportation – they aim to revolutionize how over 1 million daily commuters experience mobility across Africa.

Treepz’s Milestones

• Established in 2019, Treepz is Africa’s leading corporate mobility solution startup headquartered in Canada that offers convenient and flexible access to rental vehicles for individuals and businesses.
• Operating in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya, Treepz has achieved impressive milestones, including over 3 million bookings, $5 million in income to vehicle partners, and 3 million kg of CO2 emissions saved across all markets.
• Its success is supported by renowned investors like Google, SOSV, Techstars, BKR Capital, and Shock Ventures.
• Notable clients such as Tek Experts, Wakanow, Multichoice, Jiji, and Diamond Trust Bank trust Treepz to power their corporate mobility needs.

With this digital reinvention, the startup doubles down on transforming corporate mobility through tech-driven solutions.

Today, it is the first car-sharing marketplace in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda created to serve more than 26 million vehicle owners in Africa.

Since 2019, Treepz has moved over 2.5m passengers with its bus-hailing platform across Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Kenya.

With the launching of its car-sharing marketplace in Africa, starting today May 3, 2023, Treepz innovative platform allows car owners to rent out their vehicles for short to long-term periods, providing a more affordable and sustainable option for mobility in Africa.

This is a huge relief for over 600 million Africans living in urban areas and less than 44 cars per 1,000 people, who have the demand for affordable transportation options.

Treepz’s car-sharing platform addresses this need by allowing people to rent a car only when they need it and for flexible rental periods.

This helps reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions, leading to a more sustainable transportation system.

The car-sharing market in Africa is expected to grow at an annual rate of 20% from 2020 to 2030, with a projected market value of $500 million.

Treepz, as Africa’s largest car-sharing marketplace by market size of their operations, is well-positioned to take advantage of this growth and provide an affordable and sustainable transportation option for people across the continent.

The marketplace is available on iOS and Android and offers a variety of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, vans, and buses. Renters can search for vehicles by inputting their location and duration and choose from a list of several car owners, makes, and models.

Car owners can set their prices, availability, and long-term booking discounts, among other functionalities.

Notable businesses such as Wakanow and Tekexperts in Nigeria, Twiga Foods and Diamond Trust Bank in Kenya and many more organizations in Africa have already been using the Treepz solution for their staff, but now, Treepz is rolling out the consumer side of the service to make access to vehicles for rent easier.

Treepz is backed by notable investors such as Google, SOSV, Goodwater Capital, Techstars and GIIG Africa Fund, among others, which adds credibility to the company and its new marketplace.

Commenting on the development, Onyeka Akumah, Treepz’s CEO, said:

“The new Treepz is an exciting innovation for transportation in Africa. We are making better use of more than 26 million vehicles available on the continent to provide commuters with enjoyable and fun transportation service as they travel for work or simply enjoy a smooth ride across the safaris in the continent. Today we are regarded as the largest car-sharing marketplace in Africa and we have seized that opportunity with the technology we’ve built for hosts (vehicle owners or rental companies) to manage their inventory, reach new customers and track their growth. While guests who book from these host have the luxury to select their dream car for work, pleasure or exploration with a vetted driver. 

“We have spent the last 5 months building this solution and we are excited to introduce you to this in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Kenya. Treepz is at the forefront of this important movement with guest and host enjoying their commute on the continent. Our goal to listen to our customers and keep making them happy with every trip they make with us at Treepz.”

Prior to this appointment, Bayode was Wakanow’s Chief Financial Controller. He transitions into the new role with over a decade’s experience in finance.

He gained much of his experience in the commercial banking sector, where he supervised various control functions in the fields of financial control, treasury and international operations.

Bayode is a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

He holds an MBA in Finance and Investment from Ahmadu Bello University. With this background, Bayode brings a wealth of financial and management expertise to his role as Group CFO.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Bayo Adedeji, the Group CEO of Wakanow Group said, “Olubayode Okubanjo assumes this new role with a track record of consistently stellar performances at the helm of the finance function at Wakanow. We are confident that his knowledge, experience and expertise will be vital in Wakanow’s tilt towards global dominance in the travel industry. As Group CFO, Bayode will further consolidate on the successes achieved while charting new milestones for Wakanow and its subsidiaries as he oversees our financial operations at the group level”.

Olubayode Okubanjo expressed his readiness for the new challenge stating that, “I appreciate the Board and Management of Wakanow for the continued trust and confidence reposed in me and would like to seize this opportunity to restate my commitment to the Wakanow vision and drive for global excellence in the travel industry. Wakanow has always been powered by a dedication to global best practice in its financial operations and this is a culture we would continue to uphold with a world class team which remains focused on excellence in line with our global ambitions.”

With this appointment, Wakanow continues to signal its commitment to repositioning for a more significant role in the global travel industry as it expands operations within the African continent and beyond.

Wakanow has become renowned for her support to local and international airlines and enhancing the Nigerian aviation industry with distinct products and services.

ALSO READ: Wakanow – Bayo Adedeji, Adenike Macaulay Repositioned to Group’s Global Expansion

The travel tech company is built to cater to all the travel needs of travel enthusiasts from flights, hotels, holiday experiences, visa processing, COVID-19 tests, among other offerings for Nigerian travelers.

This partnership is aligned with Wakanow’s aim of delivering access to all local flight inventory in real-time and an all-year-round flight schedule. It also showcases her continuous commitment to the development of the domestic travel industry in Nigeria.

ValueJet is the latest airline to partner with Wakanow, joining its network and enabling Wakanow-connected customers to find and use bespoke solutions to support their specific travel needs and requirements.

ALSO READ: Bayo Adedeji, Adenike Macaulay to Lead Wakanow’s Global Expansion

While speaking about the partnership, the Chief Executive Officer of Wakanow Nigeria, Mrs. Adenike Macaulay said, “As the foremost travel tech company in Nigeria and West Africa, this partnership for us is a reinforcement of our commitment to give our customers the best and to remain the Number one distribution partner to our Nigerian Airlines. We are constantly innovating around our customers’ travel needs and partner with relevant stakeholders to ensure that our customers enjoy a robust and seamless service offering.  Partnering with ValueJet who share in our vision of delivering a unique travel experience at a great value to our joint customers was certain.”

While corroborating the CEO, Mr. Oyedeji Ojo, the Group Chief Technology Officer, Wakanow Group, said, “Wakanow, as a leader in the Nigerian travel industry, has continued to bring value to air travelers through collaborations. We’re delighted to welcome ValueJet as a Partner and together, we will serve our customers with great flight inventories and concentrate on creating enhanced traveler experiences across all customer touchpoints”.

Speaking about the partnership, Trevor Henry, the Chief Commercial Officer of Value Jet, said, “We are happy to announce our strategic partnership with Wakanow, making history as the first travel company to provide ValueJet’s Live Inventory bookable in real-time thus enabling the delivery of a seamless booking experience for Wakanow and ValueJet’s customers. ”

Wakanow, Africa’s foremost travel tech agency, offers the best travel deals and experiences within the global travel industry to corporate and individual air travelers.

The revolution is creating opportunities that are driving the future of how customers shop for travel and how they interface with travel agencies and the entire value chain of the travel industry.

Keeping in step with the new frontiers being created, Wakanow has restructured to function as a Group entity.

In line with that, the Board of Directors and Management of Wakanow Group has appointed Mr. Adebayo Adedeji as the Group Chief Executive Officer and Mrs. Adenike Macaulay as Chief Executive Officer of Wakanow Nigeria effective January 2023.

At the tip of the spear in the new structure, Bayo Adedeji will be at the forefront of expanding the business in Africa (beginning with West Africa) and then exporting the Wakanow excellence into other regions of the world.

Adenike Macaulay is tasked with leading the charge within the shores of Nigeria and ensuring that the business in Nigeria deepens its roots and spreads its tentacles across the regions of the country.

Whilst announcing his new role, Bayo Adedeji, the new Group CEO stated, “We are expanding into new verticals and Countries in Africa & beyond to take advantage of new business opportunities in the emerging competitive landscape leveraging our deep understanding of the African customer and expertise in the travel tech industry, and I will be leading this venture as Group CEO”

He went on to state that, “The synergy I have built with Adenike over the last 18 months makes me super confident to take on this new challenge knowing that our core business will continually grow geometrically in her hands.”

Also reacting to her promotion, Mrs. Adenike Macaulay the new Wakanow Nigeria CEO said, “I am delighted to receive the leadership torch of Wakanow Nigeria from Bayo and also excited to take on the new responsibility saddled upon me by the board and management of Wakanow and look forward to leading and building with an immensely talented team.”

In addition to major executive management changes, the company has also strategically positioned its subsidiaries to open new frontiers, constantly innovating for a more satisfactory customer travel experience, delivering technologically powered solutions for things as basic as buying flight tickets to booking hotels and rides.

These strategic changes are necessary considering the significant growth and success the company experienced post pandemic.

 Wakanow has since reclaimed its number one position in Nigeria the largest market in West Africa.

Another precursor to the structural changes is the commencement of operations in UAE, US, Sierra Leone and Gambia which kickstarts Wakanow’s drive to connect all of Africa and Africans beginning in West Africa. Plans are already in place to launch in UK, Senegal and Cote D’Ivoire in 2023.

Wakanow has become renowned for her support to local and international airlines and for enhancing the Nigerian aviation industry with distinct products and services.

The travel tech company is built to cater to all the travel needs of travel enthusiasts from flights, hotels, holiday experiences, visa processing, and COVID-19 tests, among other offerings for Nigerian travelers.

Wakanow’s charge toward global expansion is now in full throttle and with the latest restructuring, new milestones are certain to be reached and surpassed. Wakanow supports African movie, music and entertainment industries to export Africa to the rest of the world.

Effective January 2023, Macaulay, who was initially the Chief Commercial Officer in Wakanow, will join forces with the team to position the company in a direction where further growth is promised.

Macaulay was the first female and first Nigerian appointed as General Manager of Sales for Lufthansa Group in Nigeria & Equatorial Guinea where she led the teams in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Malabo. She also led all commercial and sales activities for Lufthansa Group in the region.

Added to her capabilities, she is the immediate past Chairperson of the International Air Transport Association Local Customer Advisory Group (LCAG) and Vice Chair of the IATA Agency Program Joint Council (APJC).

She holds an MBA from the University of Warwick in the UK, a BSc in Systems Engineering from the University of Lagos, and a Professional Diploma from the Digital Marketing Institute, Ireland amongst other qualifications.

She was recently recognized by the International Hospitality Institute as one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Africa’s Travel and Hospitality industry. She was also recognized by Leading Ladies Africa as one of Nigeria’s 100 most inspiring women in 2019, by Guardian Nigeria as Woman of the week in March 2019 and by Poets & Quants as top 100 MBAs worldwide in 2020.

Speaking on the appointment, Bayo Adedeji, the Group CEO of Wakanow Group said, “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs. Adenike Macaulay as the Chief Executive Officer of Wakanow. She has been an invaluable addition to the management of Wakanow since she joined us and with her vast experience and exposure in the aviation sector, we definitely will consolidate our growth trajectory in Nigeria”.

“We are expanding into new verticals and Countries in Africa & beyond to take advantage of new business opportunities in the emerging competitive landscape leveraging our deep competence and expertise in the travel tech industry, and I will be leading this venture as Group CEO,” he added.

He also noted that Wakanow is very excited about the bright future ahead in the African travel and tourism industry, with the provision of easily accessible end-to-end services made available to every African through the leverage of technology and strategic partnerships.

Adenike Macaulay added that the past 18 months with Wakanow have been immensely exciting as the company has recorded several milestones and record-breaking results in its history. “I’m excited to take on the new responsibility saddled upon me by the board and management of Wakanow and look forward to leading and building with an immensely talented team,” she highlighted.