Nigeria’s payment business is rapidly expanding, with fintech technologies enabling new ways for customers to handle and transfer money. Extraordinary women are driving this tide of change by breaking down boundaries and taking the lead.
Their efforts involve making financial services more accessible, particularly to underprivileged communities. Here’s a look at eight women who are influencing Nigeria’s payment landscape.
Yanmo Omorogbe – Co-Founder, Bamboo
Yanmo Omorogbe is the co-founder and COO of Bamboo, a digital investment platform that enables Nigerians to invest in US companies using mobile phones or laptops. Bamboo allows consumers to effortlessly buy, trade, and hold shares in worldwide firms, expanding investing opportunities for regular Nigerians.
Yanmo’s background in investment analysis and private equity has given her the ability to guide Bamboo’s growth. Her objective is to enable Nigerians discover global financial markets, thereby transforming the way individuals think about wealth management.
Solape Akinpelu – Founder, HerVest
Solape Akinpelu is the founder of HerVest, a fintech platform dedicated to empowering women through financial services. HerVest helps women, particularly smallholder farmers, have access to savings, investments, and credit. The platform intends to increase financial inclusion for women, who are often excluded from traditional financial institutions.
In addition to leading HerVest, Solape is a strong advocate for women equality and financial development. She is a global co-chair of the Women in Tech Global Movement and sits on advisory boards that promote women’s financial inclusion.
Tomilola Adejana – Founder, Bankly
Tomilola Adejana is the creator of Bankly, a fintech startup that aims to provide financial services to Nigeria’s unbanked population. Bankly offers safe and secure savings choices, particularly for those without access to traditional banking services. The platform promotes financial inclusion by reaching out to the underserved through innovative technology.
Tomilola’s interest in financial technology began throughout her studies, and she has worked in a variety of capacities in investment banking and fintech. Her collaboration with Bankly is revolutionizing how Nigerians, particularly in rural regions, save and access finances.
Adebunmi Wellington – Founder, Credo
Adebunmi Wellington is the founder of Credo, a payment gateway technology that lets businesses manage transactions more efficiently. She also founded Product Dojo, a training center for prospective product managers in the technology industry. Adebunmi’s career covers numerous industries, including her time at eTranzact International Plc, where she oversaw product development for Nigeria’s first multichannel electronic payment system.
Adebunmi’s background in information technology and payments enables her to make substantial contributions to how businesses and individuals interact with digital financial services.
Odunayo Eweniyi – Co-Founder, PiggyVest
Odunayo Eweniyi is a co-founder and COO of PiggyVest, a renowned digital savings and investment platform in Nigeria. PiggyVest, which launched in 2016, provides millions of Nigerians with an easy option to save and invest money. With over 5 million users, the website enables people to create savings goals and grow their investments with ease.
Odunayo’s commitment to financial inclusion and innovation has earned her numerous accolades, including the Forbes Woman Africa Technology and Innovation Award. Her guidance is assisting PiggyVest in transforming how Nigerians manage their funds.
Fara Ashiru-Jibutoh – CEO and CTO, Okra
Fara Ashiru-Jibutoh is the CEO and CTO of Okra, a fintech platform that allows for safe financial data transmission between banks and enterprises. Okra’s technology is critical for businesses seeking to include financial services into their applications.
Fara got experience in product development and business expansion while working with numerous startups in the United States prior to starting Okra.
She has also co-founded several software companies and is known for her ability in programming and technology solutions. Fara’s cooperation with Okra is bridging the gap between Nigerian clients and financial institutions.
Seun Runsewe – Information Security Analyst, Chipper Cash
Seun Runsewe began her career at KPMG before transitioning to the fintech sector, where she currently works as an Information Security Analyst at ChipperCash, a cross-border payment startup. Seun’s fintech adventure began when she joined Paystack, another major payment startup in Nigeria, where she contributed to the company’s growth before creating Switch by Sterling Bank.
Seun’s work exemplifies her enthusiasm for technology and dedication to driving secure and dependable financial services in Nigeria.
Chinyere Don-Okhuofu – Divisional CEO, Interswitch
Chinyere Don-Okhuofu is a significant participant in Nigeria’s payment market, serving as Divisional CEO of Sales Networks for Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading payment businesses. Chinyere has over 16 years of expertise in the banking sector and has played an important role in the evolution of digital payments in Nigeria.
Her leadership has led to Interswitch’s success in providing payment solutions that are widely used throughout Africa, allowing businesses and individuals to conduct transactions easily.
