Mitchell Elegbe

**Mitchell Elegbe: Nigerian Entrepreneur and FinTech Pioneer** Mitchell Elegbe Olusegun (born November 14, 1973) is a highly respected Nigerian business leader, entrepreneur, and engineer. He is best known as the Founder and Group Managing Director of Interswitch Ltd., a leading technology-driven company focused on payments and digital commerce across Africa. Elegbe is recognized as a pioneer in the African financial technology (FinTech) space for his role in driving electronic payments across the continent. **Early Life and Education** Elegbe hails from Edo State, Nigeria. He obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Benin. Following his tertiary education, he began his professional career, which included foundational experience in engineering and information and communication technology (ICT). **Career Progression and Interswitch** Elegbe's career included time at Schlumberger Wireline and Testing, followed by a role at Telnet, an ICT engineering and consulting company. While at Telnet, he developed the idea for an electronic payment system to address the challenges of cash transactions in Nigeria. In 2002, with the support of his employers, Elegbe departed Telnet to launch Interswitch. Under his leadership as Group Managing Director and CEO, Interswitch has grown into a major pan-African technology conglomerate, impressively diversifying its business and expanding into new African markets. The company has played a crucial role in advancing cutting-edge payment solutions and social impact across the continent. **Major Achievements and Current Status** Mitchell Elegbe is a prominent advocate for innovation and mentoring young entrepreneurs, particularly within the African technology ecosystem. His leadership and contributions have earned him numerous awards, including the All African Business Leader for West Africa by CNBC & Forbes, and the Entrepreneur of the Year award from EY. In 2015, he received the General Management Category Leadership Award from the Harvard Business School Association (Nigeria). Most notably, The African Banker Awards named him the 2019 African Banker Icon, recognizing his significant influence on the continent's financial sector. He is also an Archbishop Tutu Fellow of the African Leadership Institute. Elegbe currently continues to serve as the Group Managing Director of Interswitch, guiding its strategic growth and development.