In a world where innovation often outpaces inclusion, Oremeyi Adeola Akah is the rare force bridging both, blazing trails in Africa’s fintech ecosystem while empowering others to rise alongside her. With an engineering background that meets executive brilliance, she’s not just moving the needle—she’s redesigning the entire dashboard.

Currently the Chief Customer Success Officer at Interswitch Group, one of Africa’s leading digital payment companies, Oremeyi’s career spans two decades of game-changing impact. From pioneering electronic payment infrastructures across Sub-Saharan Africa to training hundreds in digital finance systems, her fingerprints are all over the continent’s fintech evolution. But beyond the boardroom, she is deeply invested in building people. Through platforms like Africans Build Africa and her role on the board of SHECAN Nigeria, she continues to advocate for the power of mentorship, storytelling, and homegrown innovation.

In this interview with THEWILL DOWNTOWN’s Johnson Chukwueke, he sits down with the powerhouse engineer-turned-customer champion to talk about tech, transformation, and trailblazing. We also peel back the layers, getting a glimpse into the woman beyond the title. What drives her? What grounds her? And how does she find balance in a world that never stops spinning?

You’ve had such a dynamic career in tech and fintech. What first sparked your interest in electrical and electronics engineering?

Honestly? It all started with my love for math. But I didn’t want to study math — let’s be real, at the time it didn’t sound “impressive” enough. I liked standing out from the crowd. Engineering sounded cooler and had loads of math, so I thought, why not upgrade this love affair with numbers into something more dramatic? Also, very few girls were choosing Electrical/Electronics Engineering back then, which made it even more appealing. So, in true “watch me be different” fashion, I dove in. Looking back, it was such jejune serendipity — a young girl’s bold leap, with zero clue of the incredible journey it would spark. I chose engineering to be different… and it definitely delivered on that promise.

As the Chief Customer Success Officer at Interswitch, how do you define success when it comes to serving African consumers?

Success is not one-size-fits-all, especially not in Africa. Our markets come with real infrastructure gaps and unique behavioural patterns. So for me, success means our customers feel understood, valued, and inspired. It’s about designing experiences that are both accessible and meaningful. You can’t copy-paste what works in developed markets — that’s the quickest route to irrelevance here. We build with empathy, with context, and with a deep respect for the resilience of African consumers.

You were the first certified ePayment Postilion Trainer in Africa outside South Africa. What challenges did you face breaking ground in a male-dominated space, and how did you overcome them?

Oh, where do I start? I was still serving in NYSC when I got certified — barely out of school, and suddenly sitting in rooms full of seasoned professionals. My biggest hurdle wasn’t the men in the room — it was the voice in my head whispering, “You’re too young, who do you think you are?” But I held on to Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That scripture has carried me through many boardrooms. And of course, I had incredible mentors — my boss at the time, and some of Interswitch’s founding leaders — who saw something in me and gave me the room to grow into it.

Your involvement in Africans Build Africa shows your passion for mentorship. What drives your commitment to empowering others?

I truly believe we are each born with a light, and Matthew 5:14 says, “You are the light of the world.” For me, that’s not just a nice verse — it’s a call to action. I’m here to light up others, to pass the torch. Africa is brimming with potential, but we must be intentional about creating platforms for growth, learning, and confidence. Mentorship is my way of saying, “You’re not alone. I’ve been there too.” Plus, I firmly believe that Africa deserves more, and the solutions won’t come from outside. It’ll take us, building each other up, one honest conversation and one bold step at a time. If I can play even a small role in that chain reaction, then that’s my purpose, right there.

Tell us about a defining moment in your personal life that shaped the way you lead today.

I was raised in a home where academic excellence wasn’t negotiable. My dad’s a professor. My mum’s a librarian. You only write one JAMB, one SSCE — if you fail, you’re on your own! (laughs) There was no cutting corners — just get it done, and do it well. That environment made me a driven, results-oriented person. In the early years of my leadership journey, I was quite intense — I demanded excellence and expected everyone to be equally self-motivated. But over time, and with life’s lessons, I’ve become more empathetic. Today, I still push for results, but I do so with greater understanding and grace.

What role has family played in supporting your journey, especially through your transitions between technical and leadership roles?

A huge role — I truly don’t take it for granted. My husband, Ejimofor, has been my rock. When I went off to pursue my Master’s, he stayed back with our children — doing school runs and running the home front like a champ. That level of partnership gave me the space to grow professionally without being weighed down by guilt. Of course, balance isn’t every day — some days you drop one ball or the other. But having a strong support system makes the juggle possible. Family has been the invisible engine behind the visible journey.

If you weren’t doing what you do today, what other path—perhaps something completely outside tech—would you have loved to explore?

Definitely something in education or fashion (I love colours). I love the idea of shaping minds and shaping style — one moulds the future, the other makes it look good doing it. (laughs) I’d probably have been a fun, slightly dramatic school principal, or maybe running a fashion brand that combines tradition with bold innovation. Who says I can’t still explore both someday? Life is long, and I believe in evolving.

 

Johnson Chukwueke
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