Bridgette Allen

A Nigerian tech entrepreneur who revolutionized digital payments in Africa through her fintech startup M-Net

Bridgette Allen is a groundbreaking Nigerian entrepreneur whose company M-Net has transformed financial inclusion across Africa. Born in Lagos in 1985, she developed an early passion for technology during her studies at the University of Lagos. After working in Silicon Valley, she returned to Nigeria in 2008 to launch M-Net, a mobile payment platform designed specifically for Africa's unique economic landscape.

M-Net's innovative approach addressed challenges like low bank account penetration and unreliable internet connectivity. The platform's SMS-based system allowed even unbanked populations to send money, pay bills, and access microloans. By 2018, the service had processed over $2 billion in transactions across 15 countries, connecting 8 million users.

Allen's work has been featured in Forbes and recognized by the African Business Awards. She advocates for women in tech through her nonprofit GirlsCodeNG, which has trained over 5,000 young women in coding. Her TEDx talk "Building Africa's Digital Future" highlights her vision for inclusive technology growth.