Daré Okoudjou – Founder & CEO, Onafriq
Daré Okoudjou is a Beninese entrepreneur and technologist, best known as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Onafriq (formerly MFS Africa), the largest digital payments network on the continent. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Daré has built Onafriq into a transformative force in Africa’s fintech ecosystem, connecting millions of consumers and businesses to global financial services.
Onafriq – Africa’s Digital Payments Powerhouse
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Operates the most extensive digital payments network in Africa, integrating:
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500+ million mobile wallets
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200+ million bank accounts
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Across 40 countries
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Established a vast agent network in Nigeria with over 400,000 agents.
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Leading prepaid card processor, working with 80+ banks and managing programs in 30+ African countries.
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Enables domestic and cross-border disbursements and collections through its “network of networks.”
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Recognized by Fast Company as one of Africa’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies.
Career Journey
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MTN Group: Developed and implemented mobile payment strategies across 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East.
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PricewaterhouseCoopers, Paris: Began his career as a management consultant.
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Entrepreneurship & Recognition:
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Named one of the Endeavor Entrepreneurs by the Endeavor Network.
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Selected as one of 13 African founders in the inaugural Foundry Fellowship at MIT, focused on catalyzing innovation-driven entrepreneurship across Africa.
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Education
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MSc in Telecom Engineering – ENST-Paris
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MBA – INSEAD
Personal Background
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Originally from Benin.
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Currently based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Key Legacy
Daré Okoudjou is widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading fintech innovators. Through Onafriq, he has redefined digital payments by making borders matter less, enabling seamless financial connectivity across the continent. His work continues to inspire the next generation of African entrepreneurs, positioning him as a visionary leader in financial inclusion and digital transformation.
