Dr. Folasade Femi-Lawal, a leading fintech executive and award-winning digital transformation expert, has reflected on the major milestones achieved in 2025 while outlining her vision for continued growth and innovation in 2026.
In a statement marking the new year, Dr. Femi-Lawal expressed gratitude for the impact created through purposeful innovation, inclusion, and collaboration across West Africa. She highlighted the role of strong leadership and a resilient team of professionals in driving progress throughout the year.
Among the key achievements recorded in 2025 was the resumption of cross-border transactions on Mastercard Naira cards, improving international payment access for Nigerians. Contactless payment usage in Nigeria also experienced a major boost, rising from 5 percent to 95 percent, with acceptance now available at over 4.7 million locations nationwide.
The fintech company under her leadership launched the Kalabash 54 Travel Card and partnered with Zenith Bank Plc to introduce the Essential Debit Card, described as a global first for Mastercard. Cyber Threat Simulation Exercises were also hosted in Lagos and Ghana to strengthen digital security awareness across the region.
In addition to financial innovation, customer engagement was enhanced through experiences linked to the UEFA Champions League and Nigeria’s popular “Detty December” festivities. Dr. Femi-Lawal also emphasized the company’s commitment to social impact, including the promotion of women’s empowerment at the WIMBIZ Nigeria 2025 conference and support for small businesses at the MSME Finance CEO Awards.
On a personal level, 2025 brought several recognitions for Dr. Femi-Lawal’s contributions to fintech and financial inclusion. She received the Fintech Trailblazer Award at the TIA Awards and was named Fintech CEO of 2025 by the African Global Economic Forum. She also served as a speaker at major industry events such as the WIMBIZ Annual Conference, MSME Finance & CEO Forum, and the Uzemiafrica Leadership Summit.
Dr. Femi-Lawal further served on the Governing Council of the Fintech Association of Nigeria and participated in the NFW25 Planning Committee, helping to organize the country’s first nationwide Fintech Symphony event. Her achievements were also recognized in the October 2025 edition of Forbes Africa, and she was listed among the “12 Women Shaping Nigeria’s Financial Inclusion” for her work in expanding access to financial services for underserved communities.
Looking ahead, Dr. Femi-Lawal stated that while 2025 focused on turning innovation into opportunity, 2026 will be about building stronger systems that empower people, businesses, and communities across Africa.
She expressed optimism for a new year of remarkable business growth, increased market impact, and continued progress in digital transformation across the continent.