10 Nigerian Techpreneurs to Watch in 2024

Technological innovation plays a critical role in driving economic growth, fueling new business opportunities, addressing social needs, and solving environmental challenges. It has become a necessity for businesses to remain competitive in today’s rapidly evolving world.

Nigeria has emerged as a powerhouse for tech startups, nurturing some of Africa’s biggest companies, such as Jumia and Andela. This has paved the way for a new generation of technology entrepreneurs, or “techpreneurs,” who are revolutionizing industries and improving lives both locally and globally.

Here are ten Nigerian techpreneurs making significant strides in 2023, recognized for their ingenuity and dedication to the country’s socioeconomic progress.

1. Chijioke Dozie
As the CEO of OneFi and Carbon, Chijioke Dozie leads one of Nigeria’s top digital lending platforms. Carbon has reached over a million users and secured a $5.5 million debt facility from Lendable. OneFi also became the first African fintech firm to receive a credit rating. Prior to founding Carbon with his brother Ngozi, Chijioke worked with Zephyr Management LP and the International Finance Corporation. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and degrees in Economics and Risk Management.

2. Dozy Mmobuosi
Dozy Mmobuosi is the CEO of Tingo International Holdings Inc., a multinational company spanning telecommunications, remittances, healthcare, and agriculture. His firm, Tingo, has distributed 12 million smartphones to Nigerian farmers, supporting digital trade across Africa. With extensive business experience in China, the UAE, the U.S., and the U.K., Dozy has spearheaded Tingo’s expansion across three continents. He is also deeply invested in tackling global challenges such as climate change and food security.

3. Olayemi Awoeyo
Among these rising stars is Olayemi Awoeyo, Founder of Zhaap Limited. Awoeyo’s AI-powered financial management platform has transformed the way SMEs handle their finances, providing automated solutions that improve efficiency and transparency. His contributions to the fintech industry earned him recognition at the prestigious Africa’s Under 40 CEOs Awards & Summit 2023, solidifying his influence in the sector.

4. Odunayo Eweniyi
Odunayo Eweniyi is the co-founder and COO of PiggyVest, a fintech platform that helps Nigerians automate their savings and investments. Despite the global underrepresentation of women in tech leadership, she has grown PiggyVest to over two million users. The platform offers a variety of financial services aimed at encouraging better savings habits among Nigerians.

5. Sim Shagaya
A serial entrepreneur, Sim Shagaya has played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s e-commerce landscape. He founded Konga, one of Nigeria’s leading online retail platforms, attracting $90 million in investment from Naspers and Kinnevik. He is also the founder of uLesson, an edtech company focused on helping students reach their academic potential through digital learning solutions.

6. Oye Akideinde
Oye Akideinde is a seasoned tech entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in the digital and entertainment industries. He co-founded Continued Entertainment, a company providing content, marketing, and business strategy solutions. He also launched MerryGo Kids, an edutainment platform dedicated to delivering quality, Afrocentric content for children, inspiring creativity and positive social impact.

7. Chika Madubuko
Driven by personal experience, Chika Madubuko founded Greymate Care in 2016 to address gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. Greymate Care connects patients with trained caregivers, offering on-demand medical assistance. The platform has since employed over 1,000 certified caregivers specializing in emergency aid, hygiene, and primary care services.

8. Mark Essien
Mark Essien revolutionized Nigeria’s hospitality industry by launching Hotels.ng, a hotel booking platform that received an initial $225,000 investment from Spark.ng. By 2015, the platform had grown to include over 6,700 hotels across Nigeria. His success earned him a spot on Forbes Africa’s ‘30 Under 30’ list.

9. Bankole Oluwafemi
As the founder of TechCabal, Bankole Oluwafemi has shaped Nigeria’s tech journalism landscape since 2013. What started as a blog has evolved into a respected digital publication, breaking major tech news and analysis. His influence in Nigeria’s startup ecosystem is undeniable, as he remains at the forefront of industry trends and developments.

10. Temie Giwa-Tubosun
Temie Giwa-Tubosun launched LifeBank in 2016 to address Nigeria’s critical blood supply shortages. Using data-driven technology, LifeBank helps hospitals source and deliver essential medical supplies efficiently. The company has facilitated the delivery of thousands of pints of blood and was incubated at the Co-Creation Hub in Lagos. Temie’s impact was recognized by Mark Zuckerberg during his visit to Nigeria in 2016.
These trailblazing techpreneurs are shaping Nigeria’s digital future, proving that innovation and entrepreneurship remain essential drivers of progress and development.