Blessing Ekele

Nigerian fintech pioneer empowering rural women through mobile banking

Blessing Ekele is the founder of Kuda Bank, a Nigerian fintech startup that has opened over 2 million bank accounts for unbanked women since its 2021 launch. Her platform's groundbreaking Agent Banking Network operates through 15,000+ rural agents using simple Android devices, enabling financial services in regions without traditional banks. Ekele's system has facilitated $230 million in microloans for women-led businesses according to 2023 impact reports.

Her Forbes 30 Under 30 profile highlights how Kuda's MarketMate feature allows street vendors to accept mobile payments using QR codes printed on paper. This innovation has increased transaction transparency by 75% in Lagos markets. In 2022, Ekele launched the Women's Savings Collective, a blockchain-based savings pool that's accumulated ₦5 billion ($12M) in deposits.

Her TED Talk "Banking Beyond Borders" (2023) has been viewed 1.8 million times. Ekele's work was recognized by the African Union Gender Equality Prize in 2024. Current initiatives include a partnership with MTN Nigeria to expand mobile banking to 500 additional villages by 2025.