Bridget Oyelaran

Nigerian fintech innovator who pioneered Africa's first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)

Bridget Oyelaran is a groundbreaking Nigerian technologist and economist who led the development of the eNaira, Africa's first sovereign Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). Launched in 2021, this blockchain-based digital currency revolutionized financial inclusion across Nigeria by enabling instant payments, reducing transaction costs, and expanding access to banking services for the country's unbanked population. As Director of the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Oyelaran spearheaded cross-industry collaboration between financial institutions, tech companies, and government agencies to create a decentralized payment infrastructure that now processes over 500 million transactions annually.

Her work addresses critical challenges like reducing cash dependency in a cash-heavy economy and combating financial fraud. The eNaira system has inspired over 20 African nations to explore similar digital currency initiatives. Oyelaran frequently speaks at global fintech forums including the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting, advocating for decentralized financial systems in emerging markets. Learn more about her work via eNaira official website and World Economic Forum analysis.