QED Investors, a leading global venture capital firm focused on investing in disruptive financial services companies, has hired Gbenga Ajayi as a partner, the company’s first hire focused on fintech investments in Africa.
“We could not be happier to welcome Gbenga to our rapidly growing international team,” said QED Investors Managing Partner Nigel Morris. “He has a deep operator pedigree and he is incredibly connected to the early stage entrepreneurial ecosystem across the continent. Gbenga has worked at a number of innovative tech companies, and I am thoroughly impressed with his passion for building great companies and his deeply held desire to support talented founders tackling the biggest ideas. He also sees how fintech can drive financial inclusion pan Africa.
“Following the success QED saw when we moved into India 18 months ago, supporting disruptive founders in Africa was a natural next step. There has been a real explosion in venture activity throughout the region as the promise of fintech to democratize access to financial services while removing friction has become inescapable.”
Gbenga has spent his career working across fintech and Africa in a variety of roles from product development and growth to marketing and partnerships. Prior to joining QED, he was co-founder of Kanza Ventures, a boutique seed investment and advisory firm focused on fintech in Africa. Before that, he was product director for SMB growth at Wise (formerly TransferWise), a global cross-border remittance fintech, and the head of strategic Partnerships at Revolut, Europe’s biggest neobank.
“I’m incredibly excited to bring QED to Africa and to bring Africa to QED,” said Gbenga. “QED has the unparalleled combination of a world-class track record in venture and an unmatched reputation in global fintech. There is a massive opportunity for transformational fintech companies to be built in Africa over the coming years, and QED is the perfect partner to support, advise and mentor the next wave of talented founders.”
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