Kennedy Ekezie-Joseph (born 11 June 1998) is a Nigerian entrepreneur, social advocate, and the co-founder and CEO of Kippa, a fast-growing fintech company in Africa. In November 2023, he was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 (North America) list in the Finance category for 2024.
Early Life and Education
Originally from Ehime Mbano in Imo State, Kennedy Ekezie was born in Lagos, Nigeria, where he lived with his family for the first eight years of his life. His family later relocated to Calabar, Cross River State, after his parents secured employment there.
In 2017, Ekezie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Philosophy from the University of Calabar. His academic achievements earned him a prestigious Yenching Scholarship in 2018 to study for a Master’s degree in Economics and Management at Peking University in China. He also holds a diploma in Leading Change from the University of Cambridge.
Social Impact Work: Championing Women’s Rights
At just 16 years old, Ekezie founded the Calabar Youths Council for Women’s Rights in 2014. The organization was born out of his discovery that more than 8,000 Nigerian women are subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM). His activism aimed to raise awareness and drive systemic change to protect the rights of women and girls in Nigeria.
Career and the Founding of Kippa
Ekezie’s professional career spans social impact, big tech, and fintech innovation. While studying in China, he worked at ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, and has been credited as part of the team that played a pivotal role in launching TikTok’s presence in Africa.
In 2021, Ekezie co-founded Kippa, a finance and bookkeeping platform that helps African small businesses track sales, manage inventory, and access financial services. The startup has grown rapidly, contributing to financial inclusion and digital adoption for MSMEs across Nigeria.
Recognitions and Awards
Kennedy Ekezie-Joseph’s work in entrepreneurship, advocacy, and technology has earned him numerous accolades:
- 2017: Selected as one of the 30 Global Teen Leaders by the We Are Family Foundation
- 2017: Recipient of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Fellowship
- 2018: Winner of the Queen’s Young Leader Award, presented by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace
- 2018: Awarded the Yenching Scholarship
- 2022: Winner of The Future Awards Africa Prize for Technology
- 2024: Named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 (North America) list in Finance
