Tope Dare: At the Top @ 50

Fifty years ago, a trailblazer was born, one whose name would redefine financial technology across West Africa. Tope Dare, the architect of digital banking and ATM expansion, has spent his career not just innovating but transforming the financial ecosystem.

This man’s journey began with a detour. Like other well-intentioned people, his father envisioned a doctor, but Dare found his calling in engineering. After studying at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and Obafemi Awolowo University, his career in banking took off in 1999 at Chartered Bank (now Stanbic IBTC). While he was assigned to project management, his heart was in technology, and he quickly moved to IT.

The turning point came in 2000 when he joined Oceanic Bank (now Ecobank) as a Graduate Trainee, leading the charge in ATM deployment. He wasn’t just rolling out machines; he was shaping access to banking in Nigeria. A self-funded training at Wincor Nixdorf in Germany in 2008 cemented his expertise, and his passion didn’t go unnoticed. Oceanic Bank, recognizing a visionary at work, quickly reimbursed his expenses.

By 2010, Dare skipped to sales at NCR, where he redefined the ATM market, securing a 48% market share. Then came Inlaks in 2013—a company with just 2% of the ATM market. As Executive Director, he transformed it into Nigeria’s market leader with a staggering 52% share, selling over 12,500 ATMs.

Beyond banking infrastructure, Dare has become a force in financial policy debates. His advocacy on ATM fees and cashless policies has challenged industry norms, earning the attention of regulators and lawmakers. His insights on the unintended consequences of PoS transactions have sparked national conversations.

With an Action Learning MBA and executive education from Harvard, Wharton, Oxford, and Cambridge, Dare remains a thought leader. His influence extends beyond boardrooms—his recent induction as an Honorary Senior Member of CIBN and a Fellow of NICA solidifies his legacy.

As he turns 50, who dares to think that Dare’s impact is over? Through just the Tope Dare Foundation, the man continues to drive change in education and healthcare.