Redefining Finance: The Influential Top 20 FinTech Innovators in Nigeria

As Fintech continues to foster financial inclusion in Nigeria, it would be great if we know some of the founders of these firms and when they were founded. Below are the top 20 FinTech innovators in Nigeria in 2023.

1. Olugbenga Agboola

He is the CEO and Founder of Flutterwave - This company was founded in 2016, and since then, it has grown to be one of Nigeria's big Fintech firms. Before the inception of Flutterwave, Olugbenga served as Senior Entrepreneur in Residence at Africa Fintech Foundry. 

2. Mitchell Elegbe

He is the CEO of Interswitch Group - This company was founded in 2002, and since then, it has been a powerhouse in integrating payments. The firm has its headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, and has been in the business of connecting commercial banks through digital technology.

3. Iyin Aboyeji

He is the CEO and general partner of Future Future Africa - this company was founded in 2020. He also co-founded Andela and Flutterwave, where he is also the co-founding CEO.

4. Shola Akinlade

He is the co-founder of Paystack, a firm known for its trustworthiness in digital transactions - he was able to achieve this with the help of his partner, Ezra Olubi. However, the company was sold to Stripe for $200 million. 

5. Zhou Yahui

He is the CEO and founder of Opay, the fastest-growing Fintech company in Nigeria. Zhou Yahui is a Chinese billionaire who created the company to help with digital transactions. The company was founded in 2018 and has since been leading in terms of digital inclusion and innovation across Africa.

6. Babs Ogundeyi

He is the co-founder of Kuda Bank - This company was founded in 2018. The company wouldn't have been a success without the help of Musty Mustapha.

7. Solape Akinpelu

She is the CEO and co-founder of HerVest. This company was founded in 2020. Akinpelu firm HerVest was among Google's 60 African tech startups selected for funding by the $4 million Black Founders Fund (BFF) in 2022.

8. Stephen Jennings 

He is the CEO and founder of Renmoney - This company was founded in 2012. The company has been thriving in the Fintech industry, thereby keeping its commitment to savings, loans, and investment products.

9. Chijioke Dozie and Ngozi Dozie

Chijioke and Ngozi Dozie are brothers who teamed up to form Carbon, formerly known as Paylater - This company was founded in 2016. In 2020, Carbon report shows that the firm has processed N96.54 billion ($241.35 million) in transactions for over 659,000 customers.

10. Laurin Hainy

He is the CEO and co-founder of FairMoney, which has helped in giving out instant loans and other services -This company was founded in 2017.

11. Tomilola Adejana

She is the CEO and co-founder of Bankly - This company was founded in 2019.

12. Tosin Eniolorunda

He is the CEO and founder of Moniepoint - This company was founded in 2015 and has become one of the second-fastest growing companies in Nigeria. In 2021, the company's records show that it had a total of N400 billion worth of transactions, and its record for June 2023 shows that the firm has now processed over N8 trillion.

13. Nonso Okpala

He is the CEO/GMD of VFD Group Plc - This company was founded in 2016. The company is now listed on the NGX exchange.

14. Razaq Ahmed

He is the CEO and co-founder of CowryWise - This company was founded in 2017. The firm became the first participant in the Catalyst Fund programme in Nigeria, leading them to get support from UK aid and JP Morgan.

15. John Obaro

He is the CEO and co-founder of SystemSpecs - This company was founded in 1992. The company has been the pioneer of the Remita's e-payment system and software solutions. 

16. Fara Ashiru Jituboh

She is the CEO and co-founder of Okra - This company was founded in 2019. Ever since its inception, the startup has helped secure the exchange of real-time financial information between applications, customers, and banks.

17. Valentine Obi

He is the founder of eTranzact - This company was founded in 2003. The company assists in e-payment solutions in Africa. It involves the processing of payments across mobile, web, ATMs, cards, and POS.

18. Tayo Ovioso

He is the founder of Paga - This company was founded in 2009. 

19. Odunayo Eweniyi

She is the co-founder of PiggyVest - this company was founded in 2016 with the help of her colleagues Josh Chibueze and Somto Ifeze. The firm helps preserve the tradition of investment and savings among Nigerians. 

20. Richmond Bassey

He is the CEO and co-founder of Bamboo - This company was founded in 2019 with the help of Yanmo Omorogbe. The company helps Nigerians with real-time access to U.S. and Nigerian stocks through its digital platform.