The 2025 MSME Finance and CEO Awards held in Lagos over the weekend brought together leading innovators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and financial sector executives in a celebration of the individuals and organizations shaping Nigeria’s digital economy. At the event, Dr. Folasade Femi-Lawal (FCA, FCTI, MBA) emerged as the MSME Fintech CEO of the Year, a recognition that underscores her growing influence in the financial technology landscape across Africa and beyond.
In a night that highlighted excellence in digital transformation and inclusive finance, Mastercard—where Dr. Femi-Lawal plays a key leadership role—was also honoured as the Best MSME-focused Digital Payments Platform of the Year. The dual win reflects both her personal contributions to the industry and Mastercard’s broadening impact on small business digitization in Nigeria.
Dr. Femi-Lawal described the recognition as deeply meaningful, noting that it reaffirms her long-standing commitment to empowering small businesses, advancing digital inclusion, and ensuring equitable access to financial tools. She reflected on her early career experiences during UNICEF rural disbursement programs in Northern Nigeria, where she witnessed how access to simple financial services could transform the lives of women often shut out of the formal economy.
According to her, those moments became the foundation of a professional mission anchored in financial inclusion and people-centered innovation. “That experience ignited a passion that continues to guide me today,” she said, emphasizing that financial systems must serve human progress, not just profitability.
The event also highlighted the collective strides being made across the MSME sector. Award recipients included entrepreneurs and organizations developing solutions to improve payments, expand digital access, and support the nearly 40 million micro, small, and medium enterprises that form the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. Dr. Femi-Lawal expressed gratitude to the organizers for the honour, while celebrating fellow winners who she said are “driving meaningful change across Nigeria’s MSME landscape.”
Calling the evening a “career-fulfilling and priceless moment,” she noted the significance of being recognized among industry leaders who continue to shape Nigeria’s financial and technological evolution.
The MSME Finance and CEO Awards 2025 continues to be one of the country’s leading platforms spotlighting innovation, leadership, and growth in the small business ecosystem.
