Esther Ogunje

Nigerian tech entrepreneur who created Africa's first female-focused fintech platform in 1998

Esther Ogunje (b. 1972) revolutionized financial inclusion in West Africa through her 1998 launch of MoniMate, a mobile payment system specifically designed for unbanked women. This innovative platform enabled microtransactions via SMS before smartphones became widespread, reaching 2 million users across Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal by 2005.

Ogunje's approach addressed cultural barriers by creating female-only agent networks and integrating local market systems. Her work inspired the African Development Bank's 2007 Women's Financial Inclusion Initiative. A 2019 documentary 'Pioneers of Payment' highlights her contributions to digital finance infrastructure in Africa's informal economy.