Fintech Nigeria hosted stakeholders to its maiden Fintech Platinum Awards, celebrating excellence and commitment to the growth of the industry in the country and region. It brought together industry leaders, awardees, policy makers, business leaders and regulators in the financial and capital market. 

In his opening remarks, the President of the Fintech Association of Nigeria, Mr. Adeolu Bajomo, described digitization as the phenomenon transforming the global economic system. He informed stakeholders that Africa has proven its innovative prowess and can boast of 10 unicorns, of which 7 have Nigerian origin.

The Fintech Nigeria President said Africa’s most populous nation is home to 250 fintech startups, who raised over $1bn in investments for 2021. “The growing confidence in the African fintech ecosystem, has led to massive investments into the industry. Between 2014 and 2019 it attracted about $600bn worth of funding.”

He said Fintech Association of Nigeria remains dedicated to its mandate that covers three core areas;  connection, acceleratation, and advocacy. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Dr. Isa Pantami in his goodwill message, delivered by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, a director in the ministry, commended Fintech Nigeria, for hosting the maiden platinum awards. 

He believed this would foster innovation and improve technology adoption in the country, in addressing socio-economic challenges in Nigeria. According to him Millions of Nigerians especially those in the rural areas, need access to financial services, which the fintech ecosystem can address. 

“The fintech ecosystem needs synergy from stakeholders, regulators to policymakers to sustain growth and economic impact. The Fintech Platinum Awards is a call for the awardees and other players to do more for the industry.”

Highlights of the event was the presentation of the awards to the winners. Below are the categories and awardees: 

• Fintech Platinum Legacy Award-Individual Category- Dr. Segun Aina, OFR President, Africa Fintech Network.
• Fintech Platinum Legacy Award-Corporate Category- Chams Plc.
• Fintech Platinum Leadership Award-Individual- Mr. Mitchell Elegbe, GMD/CEO Interswitch. 
• Fintech Platinum Leadership Award-Regulator- Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria.
• Fintech Platinum Award - Groundbreaking Category- Carbon Microfinance Bank 
• Fintech Platinum Award -Female Fintech Trailblazer Category- Ms. Odunayo Eweniyi, Co-Founder, Piggyvest 
• Fintech Platinum Award-Ecosystem Enabler Category-Banwo & Ighodalo 
• Fintech Platinum Award-Tech Advocacy Category- Mr. Iyin Aboyeji, General Partner, Future Africa.
• Fintech Platinum Award-Young Female Entrepreneur Category- Mrs. Jennifer Onyebuagu-Jejelaye , COO & Cofounder, VorianCorelli (AgriTech)

For his contribution in providing policy support to the growth of the Fintech community in Nigeria, Dr. Isa Pantami, Minister for Communications and Digital Economy received a special award. 

The Fintech Association of Nigeria is the pioneer national fintech association in Africa and founding member of Africa Fintech Network (A Network of thirty-four (34) National Fintech Associations in Africa), member of the Global Fintech Hub Federation and has been at the forefront, promoting and advocating for right regulation and investment as the key enablers of innovation in financial technology (Fintech). To find out more about the Association, kindly visit www.fintechng.org.