Remita Payment Services Limited (RPSL) reaffirmed its dedication to Nigeria’s fintech transformation at the seventh annual Nigerian Fintech Week (NFW), which took place recently in Lagos. The Nigerian Fintech Week, recognized as Africa’s leading gathering for fintech pioneers and industry influencers, has earned a reputation for fostering groundbreaking ideas, strategic alliances, and significant advancements within the continent’s fintech landscape.
Remita’s prominent sponsorship of this year’s event underscores its mission to advance financial technologies that empower individuals, businesses, and nations across Africa. During the opening day, Remita’s Chief Technology Officer, Mujib Ishola, joined a distinguished panel alongside global tech leaders such as Rodger Werkhoven, Independent Creative Director at OpenAI; Carmelle Cadet, CEO of EMTECH; and Gbolahan Atoyebi, Head of FSI Sales at MainOne. The session, titled “Africa’s Tech in the Age of AI,” explored the potential and unique challenges of artificial intelligence in Africa.
In his address, Ishola cautioned against overreliance on “black-box” AI models, which are often not designed with African contexts in mind. “We have been discussing AI in silos, but the real concern is our overconsumption of black-box models,” Ishola stated. “While these models are promising, they are often built on data that may not represent our realities. Without open collaboration, we may miss out on AI’s transformative impact for financial inclusion and broader economic empowerment.”
On the second day, Remita’s Managing Director, ‘DeRemi Atanda, delivered a keynote speech titled “From Financial to Economic Inclusion: The Fintech Ecosystem Connection,” challenging fintech leaders to prioritize meaningful economic growth over impressive metrics. “The fintech ecosystem has seen a remarkable 243% growth, yet we have not seen a corresponding rise in GDP per capita,” Atanda emphasized. “Fintech players must ask, what is the true impact of our role as catalysts for economic change?”
Atanda further highlighted the need for a robust pipeline of tech talent to sustain the industry’s expansion, noting, “Tech talent is the lifeblood of fintech. We must invest in cultivating these skills locally, ensuring that talent from Africa creates value both here and on a global scale.”
The conference’s final day saw the induction of new members to the Governing Council of the Fintech Association of Nigeria, with ‘DeRemi Atanda joining as a council member alongside newly appointed president Dr. Stanley Jacob, CEO of Zest Payments Limited. Reflecting on his new role, Atanda stressed the importance of collaboration to elevate the sector: “Being part of the governing council comes with the responsibility to pursue a shared vision for Nigeria’s fintech growth. Through partnerships, we aim to expand our community by adding 100,000 new members in the coming year, positioning Nigeria as a premier fintech hub in Africa.”
Over 50 prominent organizations attended the Nigerian Fintech Week, showcasing cutting-edge technologies that highlight Africa’s potential as a global fintech powerhouse. Through sustained efforts in innovation and collaboration, Remita continues to be a key player in shaping Africa’s financial future, driving positive economic change across the continent.
