BABS OGUNDEYI: ‘A 40 UNDER 40 CEO’ REVOLUTIONIZING BANKING & DRIVING FINANCIAL INCLUSION THROUGH KUDA

Babs Ogundeyi is transforming Africa’s banking landscape through Kuda, pioneering a new era of accessible, digital-first financial services for millions

By Victoria Mgbanwa

Finance Africa Kuda Leadership Entrepreneur Innovation.
Babs Ogundeyi, Co-Founder and CEO of Kuda Technologies
Babs Ogundeyi, Co-Founder and CEO of Kuda Technologies



As the Co-Founder and CEO of Kuda Technologies, Babs Ogundeyi is redefining the future of banking in Africa. At the helm of Nigeria’s first full-service, digital-only bank, Babs is leading a fintech revolution that blends technology, accessibility, and trust to deliver financial services designed for the modern African consumer.

A seasoned entrepreneur and finance expert, Babs launched Kuda in 2019 with a bold mission to eliminate the inefficiencies of traditional banking and replace them with seamless, mobile-first solutions. Under his leadership, Kuda has grown from a visionary startup into a fast-scaling fintech powerhouse, serving millions of customers across Nigeria and beyond. With features like zero-fee transfers, smart budgeting tools, automatic savings, and instant credit, the bank is putting financial control directly in the hands of everyday Africans.

Babs’s journey is rooted in a wealth of experience across both public and private sectors. As a former Special Adviser on Finance to the Oyo State Government, he spearheaded innovative fiscal reforms, including the state’s largest ever bond issuance, while also turning around its microfinance operations from loss to profit. His private sector career, including time at PwC, honed his expertise in financial strategy and operational efficiency skills he now applies to scaling Kuda sustainably.

In just a few years, Babs has steered Kuda to raise over $90 million from world-class investors, achieving a $500 million valuation cementing the bank’s status as one of Africa’s most valuable fintech brands. His leadership was particularly notable during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Kuda launched relief initiatives targeting vulnerable communities, reinforcing the company’s commitment to social impact.

Beyond the numbers, Babs is a passionate advocate for financial inclusion, determined to bridge the gap for Africa’s unbanked and underbanked populations. He believes that access to fair, transparent, and technology-driven banking is not a privilege, but a right a vision that fuels every decision he makes.

Through Kuda, Babs Ogundeyi is proving that Africa cannot only keep pace with global fintech innovation but can also set the standard for how digital banking should serve and empower people. His work is a testament to the power of combining visionary leadership with a deep understanding of local realities transforming lives, reshaping economies, and inspiring a new generation of African entrepreneurs.

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