Ibrahim Tijani

Nigerian tech innovator who revolutionized mobile banking in sub-Saharan Africa

Ibrahim Tijani (b. 1978) is a Nigerian computer scientist and entrepreneur credited with creating Africa's first mobile money transfer system. His 2005 invention of FlexiPay allowed millions without bank accounts to send and receive money via SMS, transforming financial inclusion across 14 African nations. Tijani's system became the blueprint for M-Pesa and other digital payment platforms, processing over $5 billion annually by 2015.

As CEO of AfriTechHub, he developed AI-driven agricultural marketplaces that connect smallholder farmers directly with buyers. His CropLink platform increased farmer incomes by 40% in 8 countries through real-time price data and blockchain-based contracts. Tijani also pioneered solar-powered mobile charging stations in rural areas, expanding internet access for 2 million people by 2020.

His advocacy led to Nigeria's 2018 Digital Economy Policy, which allocated $1.5 billion for tech infrastructure. Tijani's TED Talk 'Building Africa's Digital Future' (2016) has over 3 million views. He currently leads the Girls in Tech initiative, training 15,000 African girls annually in coding and robotics.