Mitchell Elegbe, Founder and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Interswitch Group, has been honored with the Fintech Icon of the Year Award at the Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards 2024. The prestigious ceremony, hosted by Vanguard Media Limited, took place at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The award recognizes Elegbe’s trailblazing contributions to Nigeria’s fintech revolution and his visionary leadership in driving digital financial services across Africa. Under his guidance, Interswitch has grown from a Nigerian startup into a continental fintech powerhouse, revolutionizing the way Africans interact with money.
“This recognition from Vanguard Media reflects the shared commitment of everyone at Interswitch to building a technology-driven company that delivers impact at scale and creates value for all stakeholders,” Elegbe said in his acceptance remarks. “We remain focused on driving innovation that creates opportunities, solves real problems, and expands access to financial services across the continent.”
Pioneering a Fintech Revolution
Founded in 2002, Interswitch has evolved into one of Africa’s most prominent fintech companies, credited with shaping Nigeria’s digital payments ecosystem. Today, the company is known for its widely used platforms such as Verve, Quickteller, and a suite of enterprise and infrastructure payment solutions.
Elegbe’s leadership has been pivotal in positioning Interswitch as a driver of financial inclusion, delivering scalable solutions that bridge gaps in access to finance. The company’s influence extends beyond Nigeria, with operations now spanning multiple African markets.
In recognition of its rapid growth and technological innovation, Interswitch was named Africa’s Fastest-Growing Technology Business by Deloitte in 2014.
A Legacy of Leadership and Mentorship
Elegbe, an alumnus of the University of Benin, where he studied Electrical/Electronic Engineering, is also a graduate of the IESE/Wharton/CEIBS Global CEO Programme. Beyond his professional accolades, he is widely respected for his people-first leadership style, characterized by empathy, empowerment, and a long-term vision for stakeholder value.
His leadership has garnered numerous honors, including:
- Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- CNBC/Forbes AABLA West Africa Award (2012)
- Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship by ALN (2013)
- African Banker Icon of the Year (2019)
- EY West Africa Entrepreneur of the Year – Masters Category (2023)
- Induction into the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame
Elegbe is also a Bishop Desmond Tutu Fellow of the African Leadership Institute and serves on the board of Endeavor Nigeria, where he mentors emerging African entrepreneurs, further amplifying his influence on the continent’s future business leaders.
Shaping the Future of Fintech in Africa
Elegbe’s recognition as Fintech Icon of the Year reflects not only personal excellence but also the broader narrative of African innovation. His journey is one of resilience, foresight, and a relentless pursuit of progress—a story that continues to inspire the continent’s fast-growing fintech ecosystem.
As Interswitch continues to innovate and scale, Mitchell Elegbe remains at the forefront of redefining how Africans transact, connect, and thrive in a digitally enabled economy.