Blessing Oruru

A Nigerian tech entrepreneur revolutionizing African e-commerce through inclusive platforms

Blessing Oruru is a visionary Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of Kudimart, a digital marketplace connecting small businesses across Africa with global consumers. Born in Lagos in 1989, she witnessed firsthand how informal markets struggled to compete in the digital economy. Her 2021-launched platform now empowers over 50,000 micro-merchants to access international markets through innovative pricing algorithms and localized payment solutions. Kudimart's Techstars-backed model reduces trade barriers by 40% for African SMEs, directly impacting 2 million+ livelihoods. Oruru's work was recognized through the 2023 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list and inspired the UNDP's Digital Inclusion Initiative. She currently serves as a TEDx speaker advocating for Africa's tech sovereignty, having delivered "The Future of Trade is Made in Africa" in 2024. Her initiatives include partnerships with Mastercard and Google for Startups, creating payment infrastructure that bypasses traditional banking limitations. Oruru's leadership extends to mentoring programs through Naija Tech Hub, training over 1,000 young entrepreneurs annually. Recent innovations include blockchain-based supply chain solutions piloted with the World Economic Forum's Africa Blockchain Council in 2025. She remains a vocal advocate for gender equity in tech, having established the Women in Tech Nigeria fellowship program. Oruru's vision of an Africa-driven digital economy is reshaping global trade dynamics while preserving cultural authenticity in commerce.