African Changemaker

Shola Akinlade

Shola is a software engineer and fintech entrepreneur who has played a vital part in revolutionizing online payments in Nigeria.

He is the Co-Founder of Paystack, a company that provides payment solutions to businesses, helping them accept various payment methods, including debit and credit cards, bank transfers, and mobile money. Shola and his old schoolmate, Ezra Olubi, set out to unlock the Nigerian digital economy by offering businesses and individuals new ways to transact online.

 

In November 2015, Paystack was accepted into the Y Combinator accelerator program, helping propel it toward becoming one of Africa’s most prominent tech companies. Paystack’s success led to its acquisition by Stripe, a global online payment processing company, in October 2020. The acquisition marked a significant milestone for the Nigerian tech industry, showcasing the potential and talent within the country’s startup ecosystem. Shola’s entrepreneurial journey and efforts to transform the online payment landscape in Nigeria have earned him recognition as one of the notable figures in the Nigerian tech and business community.

 

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