OPay's Dotun Adekunle Advocates Resilience at 2026 Conference

At the 2026 Moonshot Conference in Lagos, themed “Courage and Conviction” and organized by TechCabal, leaders of Africa's digital economy discussed the importance of resilience amid tightening venture capital. Dotun Adekunle, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer of OPay, reflected on the company's evolution since 2018 and addressed challenges such as regulatory shifts and currency devaluations.

He emphasized that endurance is essential for survival in Nigeria, stating, “Stubbornness is a business model in Africa.” Adekunle defended agency banking networks, asserting their role in financial inclusion. TechCabal CEO Tomiwa Aladekomo reported that African startups raised $2.2 billion across 275 deals from January to August, a 1.4 percent increase from the previous year, but noted a contraction in early-stage funding.

Dr Kashifu Abdullahi, represented by Dr Aristotle Onumo, urged Africa to transition from being a consumer of foreign technologies to creating homegrown intellectual property, emphasizing the need for sustainable enterprises.