Bolu Tokede

Revolutionized African fintech through cross-border payment solutions, empowering economic inclusion.

Bolu Tokede is a Nigerian entrepreneur and co-founder of Flutterwave, a financial technology company that has transformed how businesses and individuals transact across Africa and globally. Launched in 2012, Flutterwave addresses the fragmented payments landscape in Africa by providing a unified platform for processing transactions, handling currency conversions, and enabling seamless cross-border payments. This innovation has reduced costs and barriers for African businesses, particularly SMEs, to participate in global commerce.

Before Flutterwave, African companies faced significant challenges in accepting payments from international customers due to high fees, currency volatility, and lack of integration with global payment systems. Tokede’s solution streamlined these processes, making it easier for businesses to scale. The platform now serves over 300,000 businesses and processes billions of dollars annually, contributing to Africa’s growing fintech ecosystem.

His work has been recognized by global institutions such as the World Economic Forum, which named him a Young Global Leader in 2018. Tokede’s vision aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). By democratizing access to financial services, he has empowered millions of Africans to participate in the digital economy, fostering economic resilience and entrepreneurship.

Flutterwave’s impact extends beyond Nigeria, with operations in over 30 African countries. The company has partnered with major global platforms like Shopify and Stripe, further integrating African businesses into the worldwide marketplace. Tokede’s leadership has also inspired a new generation of African fintech innovators, positioning the continent as a hub for financial innovation.