Dare Okoudjou

**Dare Okoudjou** is a prominent African tech entrepreneur, recognized as the Founder and CEO of MFS Africa, a leading Pan-African fintech company that operates the continent's largest digital payments hub. He is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in advancing digital payment infrastructure across Africa. **Early Life and Education** Dare Okoudjou is originally from **Benin**. After growing up there, he pursued higher education abroad. He earned an **MSc in Telecom Engineering from ENST-Paris** and later completed an **MBA from INSEAD**. His educational background in technology and business provided the foundation for his later ventures in the fintech sector. **Career Progression and MFS Africa** Okoudjou began his professional career as a management consultant with **PricewaterhouseCoopers in Paris**. His experiences, particularly as a migrant, highlighted the difficulties of sending money home, which inspired him to revolutionize cross-border payments in Africa. In 2009, he founded **MFS Africa (Mobile Financial Services Africa)**. The company started with the goal of simplifying cross-border mobile money transfers. Under his leadership, MFS Africa has grown into a major Pan-African fintech company, operating the largest digital payments hub on the continent, connecting over **400 million mobile wallets** across more than 40 African countries. **Major Achievements and Notable Works** Okoudjou’s major achievement is the scaling of MFS Africa into a crucial piece of the continent's digital economy infrastructure. The company's platform allows various financial institutions, merchants, and mobile money operators to connect and facilitate seamless payments. MFS Africa has been recognized for its innovation, named by *Fast Company* as one of Africa's top most innovative companies. Okoudjou’s work is instrumental in addressing the financial inclusion gap by enabling easier and more affordable ways for Africans to send and receive money across borders. **Current Status** Dare Okoudjou currently serves as the CEO of MFS Africa and is based in **Johannesburg, South Africa**. He remains an influential voice in discussions concerning Africa's fintech industry and its growing potential, often participating in global forums and podcasts to share his insights on building a truly Pan-African financial footprint.