Founder & Group CEO, Interswitch
Mitchell Elegbe is a Nigerian entrepreneur and technology leader, best known as the Founder and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading digital payment and commerce companies. Since establishing Interswitch in 2002, he has played a pivotal role in transforming Nigeria’s financial services landscape and driving the adoption of electronic payments across the continent.
Career Journey
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Schlumberger: Began his career as a Wireline Engineer, gaining technical expertise in engineering and operations.
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TELNET: Served as Group Head for Business Development, where he honed his skills in strategy and innovation.
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Interswitch (2002–Present): Founded Interswitch to address Nigeria’s payment infrastructure challenges. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a pan-African payments powerhouse, enabling seamless transactions and financial inclusion.
Education & Leadership Development
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University of Benin, Nigeria – Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering.
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Global CEO Program – Alumni of IESE, Wharton, and CEIBS.
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African Leadership Institute – Bishop Desmond Tutu Fellow.
Awards & Recognition
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CNBC/Forbes All African Business Leader (AABLA) Award – West Africa
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Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
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Widely recognized as a High-Impact Entrepreneurship Enabler.
Governance & Advisory Roles
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Board Member, Endeavor – Supporting high-impact entrepreneurs across Africa and globally.
Key Legacy
Mitchell Elegbe is celebrated as a pioneer of Africa’s fintech revolution, having built Interswitch into a cornerstone of the continent’s digital economy. His blend of engineering expertise, entrepreneurial vision, and leadership has positioned him as one of Africa’s most influential business figures, inspiring a new generation of innovators.
