Leatherback has announced the appointment of Akanimoh Ojo as Country Manager Nigeria under plans by the fintech firm to expand its business across West Africa.
Ojo’s appointment as Leatherback Country Manager Nigeria, the firm says, “comes in line with our strategic direction to expand our operations in Nigeria and across West Africa.”
She is joining Leatherback as Country Manager Nigeria, where she is part of the team that is revolutionizing cross-border payments globally, “truly giving Nigerian businesses and individuals access to market and the world ultimately”, according to the fintech firm.
Akanimoh Ojo is an MSME banking specialist with 14 years’ experience covering marketing, sales, product development, management, and the creation and implementation of customer value propositions.
Leatherback says her successes have been majorly achieved via direct and indirect engagement of MSMEs, leading to the development and facilitation of MSME programs (financial and non-financial) targeted at smart banking, capacity building, business growth, access to finance, and market.
The new Leatherback Country Manager Nigeria holds an MBA from the University of South Wales, she is an associate member of the International Retail Banking Academy and has contributed to international research and reports by organizations such as the IFC, SME Finance Forum and CDC, among others.
She has led and participated in numerous local and international forums, webinars, and roundtable discussions bordering on issues that affect micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
Akanimoh is also passionate about advocacy and demonstrates this passion for advocacy via platforms that address pertinent issues affecting Youth, Women, Small businesses, and Economic growth.
How Leatherback Was Founded
Leatherback, which today has headquarters in London, United Kingdom, operates offices in London, Lagos, and more locations across the globe, was founded by Ibrahim Ibitade, who is the global CEO of the fintech firm.
According to the firm’s website, “there’s nothing conventional about the Leatherback CEO, Ibrahim Toyeeb. Like his pioneering financial solution, he is a fearless visionary, transcending boundaries and intent on finding answers to some of the world’s greatest social and economic challenges.”
Driven by the need to enable global finance, payments, commerce and lifestyle opportunities through more equitable financial solutions, his biodata reads, “Toyeeb started Leatherback in 2019 with the big ambition of democratizing banking by providing a single access point that empowers individuals and businesses to think and act globally.”
With his singular experience of local trade and global finance, Leatherback says, “it uniquely placed Toyeeb to help developed and frontier markets connect: he knows the gaps; he understands local and global trade and commerce; he has vast experience in payments and technology, and he is passionate about what businesses need to scale and grow. His disappointment in the mediocre level of infrastructural development and lack of global impact compelled him to begin the Leatherback journey. He believes in removing barriers and enabling genuine business solutions that ensure growth, scalability, and support smoother operations for SMEs.”
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