Introducing Mayokun Owolabi, the Vice President of Global Expansion & Payment Partnerships for Anglophone Africa at Flutterwave, a premier fintech company based in Nigeria and a key player in Africa’s financial technology landscape.
With over 14 years of expertise spanning IT, key account management, strategic partnerships, sales, project oversight, and business operations, Mayokun excels in enhancing profitability by driving growth through innovative digital payment solutions and fintech products.
Her academic background is as robust as her professional journey. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology Management from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, complemented by an MBA from Edinburgh Business School in Scotland. Additionally, she has refined her skills through executive programs at prestigious institutions such as Lagos Business School and Harvard Business School.
Among her numerous qualifications are certifications in Business Data Analysis, Project Management Professional (PMP), and SAP MM Consultancy. At Flutterwave, she leads the charge in expanding payment channels across the company’s largest markets by forging strategic alliances with financial institutions and fintech partners.
Before joining Flutterwave, Mayokun made significant strides as the Strategic Senior Key Account Manager at Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement Systems PLC (NIBSS), where she contributed to transformative initiatives that reshaped Nigeria’s payment ecosystem.
In 2025, a pivotal year marked by Flutterwave’s commitment to profitability and sustainable expansion, Owolabi’s role transcends mere growth. She ensures that every new payment corridor, partnership, and infrastructure complies with regulations, operates efficiently, and resonates with local market needs.
Read also: Meet the top 10 Nigerian women leading fintech growth in 2025
A Consumer-Centric Approach: Highlights from TechCabal’s Moonshot
At the TechCabal Moonshot event, Owolabi shared insights into her strategic role in Flutterwave’s expansive vision.
“My responsibility at Flutterwave involves steering partnerships and expansion efforts-deciding where we enter geographically, how payments are processed, and identifying the right collaborators. We build payment partnerships with banks, fintech firms, and other key stakeholders,” she explained.
She emphasized the critical importance of understanding the end-user in diverse African markets, highlighting that technology solutions must be tailored to the unique needs of each consumer base.
From the consumer’s viewpoint, Owolabi distilled their expectations into three essential pillars: ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and speed.
“Consumers prioritize convenience. They don’t want to be burdened with the complexities behind the scenes-how we connect one partner to another. Their main concern is that the service simply works,” she noted.
This philosophy is embodied in products like the Send App and Flutterwave for Business, which facilitate seamless, affordable payments, including cross-border transactions such as paying tuition fees in local currencies abroad.
She further stressed affordability, stating, “Users expect reasonable fees. They shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant charges just to send or receive money internationally.”
Lastly, speed is non-negotiable. “Consumers demand instant gratification. For example, if someone in Nigeria sends money to a recipient in the United States, the transfer should be immediate,” Owolabi added.
Building Trust, Delivering Value, and Fostering Innovation
For a fintech leader like Flutterwave, meeting these consumer demands requires more than technical prowess-it demands trust and operational excellence. Owolabi highlighted that convenience is deeply tied to reliability and consumer confidence.
“Trust is fundamental. Flutterwave holds the distinction of being the most licensed non-bank financial entity in Africa, which reassures customers about our credibility,” she remarked.
She explained that maintaining technical control involves ensuring that both internal systems and external partners adhere to strict Service Level Agreements (SLAs), guaranteeing a smooth and consistent payment experience.
Regarding the challenge of affordability, especially given the multiple intermediaries involved in cross-border payments, Owolabi shared a valuable perspective.
“Our research shows that consumers are willing to pay for services that deliver genuine value. As long as the product meets their needs effectively, they accept the cost,” she said.
Mayokun Owolabi stands out as a visionary leader and a vital connector, playing a significant role in shaping the future of e-commerce and fintech across Africa.
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