Folasade Aribisala

Pioneered financial inclusion in Africa through innovative fintech solutions

Folasade Aribisala is a Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of Flutterwave, a pan-African fintech company that revolutionized cross-border payments and financial accessibility across 33 African countries. Born in 1980, she identified systemic barriers in traditional banking systems that excluded 70% of Africa's population from formal financial services. By 2016, Flutterwave processed over $1 billion annually, enabling small businesses and individuals to access digital payments, loans, and investment tools. Her work directly addressed poverty by empowering marginalized communities through technology. Aribisala's approach emphasized partnerships with local governments and NGOs, such as the African Development Bank, to align with regional development goals. She has been featured in Forbes Africa and delivered keynotes at the World Economic Forum in Davos. In 2019, she launched the FlutterPay app, which now serves over 10 million users, reducing transaction costs by up to 40%. Her advocacy for gender equality in tech led to the creation of the 'Women in Tech Africa' initiative, mentoring 5,000+ female entrepreneurs by 2022. Aribisala's impact extends beyond economics; she transformed how Africans perceive financial independence, earning her the African Business Leader of the Year award in 2021.