91探花

Tell us about yourself

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I鈥檓 a technology executive and entrepreneur passionate about building systems that help people live and work better.

My career has taken me from leading engineering at Kuda during a defining growth period to now serving as CTO of 9jaPay Group and running Canalis Labs, where I help companies design secure, scalable financial and digital platforms.

At my core, I鈥檓 someone who loves solving difficult problems and turning ideas into real products that create lasting impact.

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What would you say inspires you day to day?

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I鈥檓 inspired by progress, the quiet, steady kind that shows up in better systems, stronger teams, or a product that actually makes someone鈥檚 life easier.

My faith also plays a big part in my day-to-day motivation; it keeps me grounded, grateful, and reminded that my work is ultimately service. And, of course, my family inspires me constantly, they鈥檙e a daily reminder of the legacy I want to build and why the work matters.

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What would you say has been a career highlight for you?

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One of the standout moments was helping scale Kuda鈥檚 technology organisation at a time when millions of people were depending on us daily. It taught me what true responsibility looks like.

Another highlight has been building 9jaPay鈥檚 core banking and payments platform from scratch, proving that African teams can build infrastructure at a truly global standard.

Those moments showed me that excellence has no boundaries when purpose is clear.

What has been the biggest challenge you鈥檝e had to overcome along the way?

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The biggest challenge has been building in environments where things don鈥檛 always work as expected; systems, policies, infrastructure.

Early on, I wrestled with the tension between striving for perfection and accepting the realities of emerging markets. Over time, I learned resilience, creativity, and the importance of building teams with heart. Those challenges shaped me far more than any success could.

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What is your number one piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

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Be stubborn about your purpose but flexible about your path. Entrepreneurship isn鈥檛 glamorous; it鈥檚 consistency, courage, and a willingness to keep showing up even when you don鈥檛 have all the answers. Start small, solve real problems, and surround yourself with people who believe in your vision. Your greatest advantage will always be your ability to keep moving.

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What sectors are you keeping a close eye on over the next few years?

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I鈥檓 watching the intersection of AI, financial services, and cloud infrastructure very closely; the combination will completely reshape how businesses operate.

I鈥檓 also excited about insurtech, cross-border payments, and cybersecurity, especially as more organisations prioritise resilience; and personally, I鈥檓 paying close attention to how automation and data will unlock new opportunities in emerging markets.

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What can we hope to see from you in the future?

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You鈥檒l see me continue building platforms that make financial access simpler and more reliable, not just in Africa, but globally. I鈥檓 also focused on expanding Canalis Labs into new markets and mentoring the next generation of tech leaders and founders.

Ultimately, everything I鈥檓 working on is moving toward one goal: creating technology that outlasts me and leaves people better than I found them.