Babatunde Elijah Kelani: Empowering Nations Through Techno-Entrepreneurship

Meet Tunde Elijah Kelani, an entrepreneur, financial technology professional, and Tech sales expert. His wealth of experience in the tech kingdom speaks high volume. In this interview, he shared his contributions and continuous impact in boosting Nigerian agriculture through technology and creating credit facility platforms for farmers to boost outputs.

You’ve had an impressive career, working with notable companies and leading initiatives that have transformed the fintech landscape. Could you tell us about your experiences and accomplishments?

Certainly. I’ve had the privilege of working with remarkable organisations throughout my career. From my early days as an Associate Consultant for Remoik Consulting, consulting for some notable companies like Nigeria Breweries, Nigeria Bottling Company, and Leadway Assurance, to my role as the Growth Product Manager at crowdForce, I’ve been involved in developing and managing various tech products and programs. As part of Crowdforce, I executed the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), which provided loans to micro-small and medium businesses in Nigeria, and the Payforce Agency banking solution, which was recently acquired by Fairmoney, both of which targeted underserved markets.

Impressive indeed! Can you share more about your current role at Crust Africa and your vision for the future?

At Crust Africa, we’re focused on building digital payments for everyone in the Agriculture value chain. We envision a world where farmers, commodity traders, food processors, exporters, and everyone else who works in the agro space can interact within a financial ecosystem that is targeted at solving their needs. As the Vice President of Growth, I’ve been able to drive significant customer acquisition and profitability. Our aim is to empower farmers with access to financial services and create sustainable growth in these communities. We plan to expand our reach across Africa this year, improving financial inclusion, and positively impacting the lives of millions.

You’ve also co-founded Hadada, a platform powering the Open Banking initiative in Africa. How does Hadada contribute to the fintech landscape?

Hadada addresses the data aggregation gap in the fintech space. By aggregating financial data on one platform, we enable financial institutions to make informed credit decisions. We’ve partnered with traditional banking institutions and fintech companies, providing them access to aggregated financial data. Hadada is not only revolutionising the way financial institutions operate but also working closely with regulatory bodies to establish an open banking framework in Nigeria and Ghana.

Your journey from humble beginnings to being at the forefront of Open Banking is truly inspiring. What drives you to make a difference in the world of technology entrepreneurship?

My upbringing in a disconnected community in the slums of Lagos taught me the power of resilience and determination. I believe that technology entrepreneurship has the potential to solve global issues through local interventions. I’m passionate about empowering entrepreneurs, scaling businesses, and creating innovative solutions that drive societal development. It’s the impact I can make in people’s lives that keeps me motivated every day.

What message would you like to share with aspiring entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts?

My message is simple: Believe in yourself, never give up, and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Build resilience, seek knowledge, and surround yourself with a network of like-minded individuals who can support and inspire you. The world needs innovative solutions, and with the right mindset and determination, you can make a meaningful impact. Dream big, work hard, and strive for greatness!