Sola Akpobome

Nigerian tech entrepreneur who co-founded Jumia, Africa's leading e-commerce platform

Sola Akpobome (born 1980) is a groundbreaking Nigerian tech entrepreneur recognized as one of the co-founders of Jumia, Africa's first pan-continental e-commerce marketplace. Her visionary leadership in launching Jumia in 2012 marked a transformative moment for African commerce, creating an online ecosystem connecting millions of buyers and sellers across 11 countries. Before Jumia, she worked at Google Nigeria where she identified the massive untapped potential of Africa's digital economy. Akpobome's work addresses critical challenges like infrastructure gaps and financial inclusion through innovations like JumiaPay, a mobile payment system adapted for Africa's cash-based economies. Her TED Talk 'Building Africa's Future Online' (https://www.ted.com/talks/sola_akpobome_building_africa_s_future_online) has inspired countless entrepreneurs. She currently serves on the board of the African E-commerce Alliance and advises startups through her venture capital firm, TechBridge Capital.