PufferPay CEO to deliver keynote at Business Journal Fintech & Financial Inclusion Roundtable 2026

Michael Olumide

Chief Executive Officer of PufferPay Limited, Mr. Emmanuel Ovaga, will deliver the keynote address at the 3rd Business Journal Fintech & Financial Inclusion Roundtable 2026, scheduled to hold on Friday, July 31, at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The annual gathering, themed “Fintech: Driving the Future of Digital Financial Ecosystem in Nigeria,” will bring together policymakers, regulators, fintech operators, financial institutions, technology experts and other industry stakeholders to deliberate on the future of digital finance and financial inclusion in Nigeria.

A graduate of Computer Engineering from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Mr. Ovaga has built a distinguished career as a technology entrepreneur and business leader, leading innovative digital transformation initiatives across Africa.

As Chief Executive Officer of PufferPay Limited, he has spearheaded the company’s vision of providing seamless, secure and inclusive payment solutions tailored to the needs of emerging markets. Under his leadership, PufferPay has continued to expand its footprint as one of Nigeria’s emerging fintech companies committed to improving financial inclusion through innovative payment technologies.

Mr. Ovaga also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Pufferfish Technology Limited, a Pan-African information technology and consulting company specialising in software development, enterprise solutions, data analytics and systems integration for both public and private sector organisations across Africa.

Through strategic leadership, Pufferfish Technology has established partnerships with globally recognised technology providers and has successfully developed enterprise computing and analytics solutions that continue to support digital transformation across several industries.

One of the company’s landmark achievements has been the establishment of PufferPay, a fintech payment platform developed to facilitate seamless payments and expand financial inclusion across Africa. Built on cutting-edge technology, PufferPay offers secure, fast and reliable payment services designed to meet the growing needs of individuals, businesses and institutions.

Speaking on the choice of the keynote speaker, the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Business Journal Media Group, Prince Cookey, described Mr. Ovaga as one of the leading voices shaping the future of financial technology in Nigeria.

According to him, “Mr. Emmanuel Ovaga represents the next generation of technology leaders driving innovation within Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem. His outstanding accomplishments as Chief Executive Officer of PufferPay Limited have positioned the company among notable players in the country’s digital financial services industry while extending its reach across Africa.

“We are confident that participants at the 3rd Business Journal Fintech & Financial Inclusion Roundtable 2026 will benefit immensely from his wealth of experience and insights as he examines the present realities and future prospects of Nigeria’s fintech industry.”

The event will also feature an impressive lineup of distinguished guests and industry leaders.

The Special Guests of Honour are Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).
Chairman of the occasion is Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), as the Guest of Honour, is Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe, President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB).

The panel discussion will feature renowned industry experts including Dr. Muda Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE); Mrs. Idu Okeahialam, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Exchange Plc; Mr. Jide Orimolade, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Insurance Limited; Dr. Obioha Oti, President of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN); Mr. Sarafadeen Fasasi, President of the Association of Financial Inclusion Agents of Nigeria (AFIAN); and Chidubem Emelumadu, Africa Ecosystem Lead at Lisk.

Nigeria’s fintech sector has continued to witness remarkable growth over the past decade, with companies such as Moniepoint, OPay, PalmPay and Flutterwave transforming digital payments and expanding access to financial services for millions of Nigerians.

Industry reports indicate that fintech innovation has significantly improved financial inclusion by providing affordable payment, lending, savings and investment solutions while accelerating the digital transformation of the country’s financial services industry.

The sector has equally remained one of Africa’s biggest investment destinations, attracting billions of dollars in funding and reinforcing Nigeria’s position as one of the continent’s leading fintech hubs.

In January 2026, the Central Bank of Nigeria granted national licences to leading fintech operators, including Moniepoint and OPay, enabling them to operate across all 36 states of the federation. The regulatory milestone further underscored the growing confidence in fintech companies as critical partners in promoting financial inclusion and sustainable economic development.

Against this backdrop, the 3rd Business Journal Fintech & Financial Inclusion Roundtable 2026 seeks to deepen conversations around the role of fintech in expanding financial access, driving innovation, strengthening the digital economy and supporting Nigeria’s long-term economic growth.

The event is expected to attract regulators, financial institutions, fintech companies, insurance operators, telecommunications stakeholders, investors, development partners, policymakers, members of the media and the general public for what promises to be one of the most influential fintech policy dialogues of the year.