Eneida Ukeje

Nigerian fintech pioneer revolutionizing access to credit for African SMEs

About Eneida Ukeje

Eneida Ukeje is a Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of CredPal, a groundbreaking fintech platform that has transformed access to financial services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. Launching in 2020 during the pandemic, her company addresses the $650 billion credit gap affecting African SMEs by offering instant credit lines through blockchain technology. This innovation has enabled over 500,000 businesses to secure funding without traditional collateral requirements.

Ukeje's approach integrates machine learning algorithms with alternative data sources like utility bills and social media activity to assess creditworthiness. This system, detailed on their official site, has reduced default rates below 2% while expanding financial inclusion. Her work was highlighted in a Bloomberg feature showing how African fintechs are leapfrogging traditional banking systems.

As a female founder in a male-dominated sector, Ukeje has also championed women's entrepreneurship through the Women in Finance Network. Her TEDx talk Reimagining Credit in Africa has over 2 million views, inspiring a new generation of innovators. In 2023, she was named Africa's FinTech Leader of the Year by the African Bankers Awards.