Olugbenga Agboola

Olugbenga Agboola, also known as GB, is a Nigerian entrepreneur, technologist, and business executive, widely recognized as the CEO and co-founder of Flutterwave, a leading African payments technology company. He is a key figure in the African fintech revolution, working to simplify payment systems for businesses across the continent and globally. Agboola was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1985. His educational background laid a strong foundation for his career in finance and technology. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria. Furthering his education, he earned a Master’s degree in IT Security Science from EC-Council University, and also gained expertise in Project Management & Advanced Computing from the University of Westminster, with a focus on Projects In a Controlled Environment. He later obtained an MBA from the University of Oxford's Said Business School, and another MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. Prior to founding Flutterwave, Agboola built extensive experience working at major technology and financial institutions. He held roles as an application engineer at PayPal and in product management at Google. His career in finance also included positions at Nigerian banks, such as serving as Head of Digital Factory & Innovation at Access Bank Plc, Transactional Product Development Manager at Stanbic IBTC Bank (Standard Bank Nigeria), and in Enterprise Infrastructure Solution Development at Guaranty Trust Bank plc (GTBank). He also established an earlier fintech venture focused on alternative payment methods, which was later acquired by a major Nigerian bank. In May 2016, Agboola co-founded Flutterwave with Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, aiming to simplify payments for businesses operating across Africa. He initially served as a founder and later took over as Chief Executive Officer in October 2018. Under his leadership, Flutterwave experienced significant growth, raising substantial funding and becoming one of Africa's most highly valued technology startups. The company’s platform has been instrumental in expanding payment infrastructure and creating better financial access for businesses continent-wide. Agboola’s major achievements and recognition highlight his impact on the global business and technology sectors. In 2022, he was conferred with the Nigerian National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by President Muhammadu Buhari. He has also been recognized on prestigious global lists, including being named to Fortune's 40 Under 40 list in 2020 and Time’s Next 100 list in 2021. In April 2022, he received the Tech Investor of the Year award at the Business Insider Africa awards. In his current status, Agboola remains the CEO and co-founder of Flutterwave. He also holds prominent roles on various organizational boards, including serving as Vice Chairman of the U.S.-Africa Business Center Board, and as a member of the Milken Institute Africa Business Leaders Council, the Wall Street Journal CEO Council, and the Fast Company Impact Council. He continues to drive Flutterwave’s mission to connect the African economy to the world through payments technology.