When Oluwatobi Oseni reflects on his 12-year journey driving digital equity across Africa, his words are filled with both humility and purpose.
“When I set out to drive digital equity over 12 years ago, it wasn’t about ambition; it was about impact,” he shared in an emotional Instagram post on Thursday. “I wanted to see more people make things.”
From shaping national technology curricula to co-founding a cross-border fintech startup, Oseni’s trajectory mirrors Africa’s evolving relationship with digital transformation, one driven by inclusion, innovation, and vision.
“As Dami reminded me recently, I once set out to train 25,000 students before turning 25, and achieved it at 23,” he wrote, a testament to his early conviction that access to technology should be a right, not a privilege.
Who Is Oluwatobi Oseni?
Oluwatobi Oseni stands at the intersection of education, technology, and policy, a rare blend of technocrat and visionary reformer. Currently the Co-founder and CEO of Payshiga Technologies, Oseni leads a cross-border fintech company enabling digital trade and payments across the continent.
Under his leadership, Payshiga has launched Ojah, a commerce platform supporting the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by helping businesses transact seamlessly across borders.
Before Payshiga, Oseni’s work was steeped in education and technology policy. He served as Policy Advisor on Technology and Education in the Governor’s Office of Imo State, Nigeria, where he helped embed digital learning into the state’s education system.
A Chevening Scholar with a Master’s in International Education and Development from the University of Sussex, Oseni’s academic and professional footprints span partnerships with UNESCO, GIZ, Facebook (now Meta), Microsoft, and Code.org.
Entrepreneurship and Adventures
Oseni’s ventures extend beyond education into immersive technology and financial innovation. In 2017, he co-founded OseGames, Nigeria’s first virtual reality (VR) game development studio.
The company developed Yola, a dirt bike game that celebrated local culture through interactive storytelling, a project that highlighted Oseni’s flair for blending technology with African narratives.
Today, as head of Payshiga Technologies, he’s expanding that same ethos into fintech, creating infrastructure that connects African businesses across 12 currencies. His goal is to simplify cross-border payments and build scalable digital infrastructure for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Leadership and Global Recognition
Beyond entrepreneurship, Oseni’s influence extends into the highest echelons of global policy. He is the Thematic Lead of the Human Capital Thematic Group within the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and a designated expert on UNESCO’s Inclusive Policy Lab.
His fellowships, including the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Clinton Global Initiative University Scholarship, and contributions to Chatham House’s Common Futures Conversations, reflect a growing reputation as one of Africa’s emerging digital leaders.
Oseni often attributes his success to mentorship and collaboration. In his Instagram post, he expressed gratitude to those who guided him early on:
“To my teacher, Bukonla, thank you for trusting and empowering a 21-year-old who simply wanted to make the world better,” he wrote, while dedicating his work to his late friend Edwin, who “taught me to document the journey early.”
Digital Equity for All
Oseni’s journey began long before he stepped into boardrooms or policy circles. His passion for technology was sparked in 2008 after winning the Lagos State Computer Science Competition.
From there, his mission took form, to empower a generation of digital creators across Africa. Through his initiative, #Code2Earn, he has trained over 26,000 individuals in coding and essential digital skills.
“From shaping national policies and developing curricula to delivering lessons in classrooms, the journey has been humbling and fulfilling,” he wrote.
For him, digital equity isn’t just about providing access, it’s about creating ecosystems where technology empowers livelihoods, bridges inequality, and drives innovation from the ground up.
Why This Matters for Africa’s Tech Development
Oluwatobi Oseni’s story underscores a larger transformation sweeping across Africa, the rise of a generation of innovators redefining how technology serves society.
His work in both education and finance reflects the twin pillars of sustainable digital growth: skills development and financial inclusion.
By building products like Ojah and training thousands under #Code2Earn, he represents a model of grassroots innovation driving continental impact.
As Africa moves toward a more integrated digital economy, leaders like Oseni embody the belief that equitable access to technology can reshape destinies. “It’s been a full circle,” he wrote, echoing the journey from teaching code in classrooms to powering cross-border trade across Africa.
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