Gbenga Ajayi is Leading Africa’s Fintech Investment and Digital Finance Transformation

As a Partner at QED Investors, he is pivotal in identifying and supporting high-growth fintech startups across Africa and the Middle East.

His expertise spans digital banking, payments infrastructure, and financial technology innovation, areas that are instrumental in accelerating financial inclusion and economic growth on the continent.

With a track record of leadership at global technology firms such as Google, Wise (formerly TransferWise), and Revolut, Ajayi has amassed extensive experience in fintech strategy, product development, and ecosystem building.

His mission is to empower African entrepreneurs and startups by providing capital, mentorship, and strategic guidance, fostering an ecosystem where innovative financial solutions can thrive.

Born and raised in Nigeria, Gbenga Ajayi earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious institutions.

His passion for technology and finance led him to pursue an MBA at the London Business School, where he honed his skills in strategic management, venture capital, and business development.

Ajayi’s early education in economics gave him a unique lens through which he views financial systems, not just as business opportunities but as crucial drivers of Africa’s socioeconomic transformation.

Ajayi’s professional journey took off at Google, where he spent six years shaping Africa’s digital landscape.

As a Lead for Telecoms Industry Partnerships, he worked with major mobile operators and digital service providers across Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, driving mobile adoption and financial access through technology.

His contributions included expanding Google’s reach in Africa, particularly in mobile and app-based business models, strategizing partnerships with telecom operators to improve mobile penetration and accessibility to online services, and leading efforts to integrate African SMEs into the digital economy.

Through these initiatives, Ajayi played a significant role in laying the groundwork for Africa’s mobile-first financial revolution.

Building on his experience at Google, Ajayi transitioned to Europe’s largest fintech disruptors, Wise (formerly TransferWise) and Revolut.

At Wise, he served as Product Director for SMB Growth, leading initiatives that improved access to cross-border payments for small businesses.

This experience deepened his understanding of remittances and foreign exchange dynamics, key financial pillars in Africa’s economy.

Ajayi’s passion for Africa’s fintech growth led him to QED Investors, one of the world’s leading fintech venture capital firms.

In January 2022, he became the first partner dedicated to African investments, marking a major milestone for both him and the firm.

At QED, his primary focus is investing in, mentoring, and scaling fintech startups that address Africa’s most pressing financial challenges.

His approach goes beyond funding, as he offers strategic insights, market access, and global expertise to help fintech founders scale their solutions across the continent.

Some key initiatives and achievements at QED include leading QED’s first African investment in Moniepoint (formerly TeamApt), one of Africa’s fastest-growing digital financial platforms.

He is also championing financial inclusion by investing in companies that serve SMEs, informal workers, and unbanked populations.

Additionally, he is building a robust fintech investment pipeline in Africa and the Middle East, ensuring that more startups receive access to growth capital.

Ajayi believes that Africa’s fintech revolution is just beginning, and he sees his work at QED as instrumental in fostering the next generation of financial solutions that will transform commerce, banking, and payments on the continent.