Africa’s Growing Billion-Dollar Tech Scene

Africa’s technology ecosystem is flourishing, with an estimated valuation of $480 billion, according to recent reports. The continent now boasts nine startups that have achieved the coveted $1 billion unicorn status, demonstrating investor confidence and the global relevance of African innovation.

But behind the visionary CEOs and co-founders who often take the spotlight, another group of leaders quietly ensures that these companies run like clockwork, the Chief Operating Officers (COOs). They are the architects of execution, building systems that transform bold ideas into scalable, sustainable businesses.

The Unsung Heroes of Africa’s Unicorns

In Africa’s fast-changing markets, COOs play a crucial role. From navigating complex regulations to overcoming infrastructure challenges, these leaders ensure that billion-dollar companies operate smoothly and efficiently.

However, not every African unicorn currently has a COO.

• Andela has no COO.
• Flutterwave’s COO resigned in 2024, leaving the position open.
• Chipper Cash’s COO was laid off.
• At MNT Halan, the role shifted from Head of Operations to Head of Account Management.

These transitions highlight how dynamic and sometimes volatile Africa’s tech landscape can be. Yet, the COOs who remain in the driver’s seat continue to shape the continent’s innovation story.

1. Dotun Daniel Adekunle – Chief Operating Officer & Chief Technology Officer, OPay

Appointed in July 2024, Dotun Daniel Adekunle brings over 18 years of experience in payments, fintech, and enterprise systems across Africa. As both COO and CTO, he oversees OPay’s operations, product innovation, and technology strategy, ensuring seamless service delivery and driving the company’s mission to deepen financial inclusion.

OPay, valued at $2 billion since 2021, remains one of Africa’s top fintech unicorns.
Before rejoining OPay, Dotun served as Senior Vice President of Offline Payments at Flutterwave, where he expanded the company’s physical payments network. His earlier tenure at OPay (2018–2022) saw him lead engineering teams that built OPay’s core payment infrastructure.

Dotun is a graduate of Yaba College of Technology, holds an MBA from the University of Roehampton, and a postgraduate diploma in AI and machine learning from the Texas McCombs School of Business.

2. Dieter Botha – Group CTO and Operations Lead, Tyme Group

Though officially titled Group CTO and Operations Lead, Dieter Botha functions as the Group COO at Tyme Group, overseeing technology and operations across the digital banking giant.

Tyme Group reached unicorn status in December 2024 after a $250 million Series D round, pushing its valuation to $1.5 billion. Based in Singapore, Botha directs Tyme’s technology strategy, ensuring scalable infrastructure and smooth customer experiences.

Before this, he served as Chief Technology and Operations Officer at TymeBank (2019–2022), where he designed secure, compliant, and high-performing systems. His earlier career includes senior roles at Oracle and Standard Bank Group, where he built enterprise technology frameworks across global banking divisions.

3. Coura Sene – Regional Director, Wave Digital Finance

Although her title reads Regional Director, Coura Sene effectively acts as Wave’s operational leader across Francophone West Africa. Her work spans policy, product development, partnerships, and regulatory engagement, making her the operational backbone of Wave’s regional success.

Since joining Wave in 2018, she has driven the company’s expansion from Senegal into Côte d’Ivoire and beyond, leading up to its $1 billion valuation milestone in 2021 following a $200 million Series A round.

With over 20 years of experience at companies like Orange, Wizall, and InTouch SA, Coura blends technical expertise with strategic leadership. A Polytech’Lille and University of Lille alumna, she exemplifies the growing influence of African women in fintech leadership.

4. Babafemi Ogungbamila – Operations and Technology Leader, Interswitch Group

As Operations and Technology Leader at Interswitch, Babafemi Ogungbamila drives the company’s mission to create a robust, scalable payments infrastructure for Africa.

Appointed in October 2023, he oversees both technology operations and digital transformation strategies, ensuring Interswitch’s systems deliver enterprise-grade reliability comparable to AWS and Azure.

Ogungbamila has spent over 20 years with Interswitch, including six years as Chief Information Officer (2013–2019), where he led the company’s migration to cloud-native microservices and introduced data-driven architecture.

Interswitch became a unicorn in 2019 after a $200 million investment led by Visa, valuing it at $1 billion. A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University and alumnus of Lagos Business School, Ogungbamila champions the concept of “invisible technology”, systems so efficient that they quietly power millions of transactions daily.

5. Pawel Swiatek – Chief Operating Officer, Moniepoint Inc.

As COO of Moniepoint Inc., Pawel Swiatek oversees global operations, driving strategic growth and market expansion across Africa, Europe, and North America.

Since joining in February 2023, Swiatek has strengthened Moniepoint’s business framework and helped scale its SME-focused services. His leadership was crucial in the $110 million Series C funding round (October 2024), led by Development Partners International (DPI) with participation from Google’s Africa Investment Fund, QED Investors, and Verod Capital. The round elevated Moniepoint’s valuation above $1 billion.

Previously, Swiatek held senior roles at Capital One as Managing Vice President and at Bridgewater Associates, where he advised the management committee and launched the firm’s first international office in Beijing. A Harvard Business School alumnus, he also advises startups and venture firms such as Pedago LLC, Theorem LP, and NextGen Venture Partners.

The Backbone of Africa’s Billion-Dollar Success

While founders often capture headlines, it’s the COOs and operational leaders who keep Africa’s unicorns grounded, efficient, and scalable. From financial inclusion at OPay and digital banking at Tyme Group to payments innovation at Interswitch and SME empowerment at Moniepoint, these leaders ensure Africa’s unicorns don’t just grow fast, they grow strong.

As Africa continues its rise in the global tech arena, the operational masterminds behind the scenes will remain the unsung heroes driving sustainable growth, innovation, and impact.