Eyitayo David “Tayo” Oviosu is a Nigerian-American entrepreneur and fintech innovator, widely respected as the Founder and Group CEO of Paga, a mobile payment ecosystem reshaping financial inclusion across Africa.
Born in 1977 in Lagos State, Oviosu earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, cum laude, from the University of Southern California, followed by an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.
Early in his career, he worked as a software engineer and consultant at firms such as Deloitte, Cisco Systems, and Travant Capital Partners, gaining experience in corporate strategy, technology, and private equity.
In 2009, driven by the desire to address Nigeria’s cash-dependence and financial exclusion, he founded Paga. His mission: simplify payments, enable reliable money transfers, and bring financial services to underserved communities.
Under his leadership, Paga has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading mobile money platforms, serving millions of users via an extensive network of agents, and enabling customers to send, pay, bank, and perform essential financial transactions.
Oviosu has consistently driven innovation, focusing not only on user growth but also on infrastructure, regulation compliance, and strategic partnerships.
Paga has been repeatedly recognized on global fintech platforms — it was selected multiple times for the Fintech 250 list of most promising fintech global companies, and Paga has received awards such as CNBC West Africa Entrepreneur of the Year.
Tayo’s vision goes beyond urban centers; he has emphasized making financial services accessible to the informal economy — the “market women in low-income neighborhoods” — ensuring Paga’s reach touches both banked and unbanked populations.
He is also involved in angel investing and startup ecosystem development. He co-founded Kairos Angels, a network supporting founders with capital and coaching.
Beyond Paga, Oviosu serves on advisory boards and in leadership roles in regional tech organizations, contributing to policy discourse, mentorship, and promoting digital inclusion across Africa
His work has earned both national and international recognition, with Oviosu repeatedly cited in media and industry reports as one of the leading figures in the African fintech revolution.
With strategic clarity and ethical leadership, Tayo has navigated challenges facing the fintech sector — regulation, infrastructure, trust — while maintaining growth and user experience.
In sum, Tayo Oviosu embodies a rare blend of technical expertise, business strategy, and social mission — making him a standout nominee in any Business Disruption, Tech Leadership, or Impact Entrepreneurship Award category.
Discover more from moi awards
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
