The Nigerian tech ecosystem is predominantly centered in the South, with Lagos often hailed as the Silicon Valley of Africa.
When a tech company based outside Lagos, located in the far-reaching city of Kaduna, secured an impressive $3.7 million in venture capital funding, it rightfully made headlines. Historically, funding for tech startups has been concentrated in Lagos, making this achievement even more remarkable.
Behind this success is Co-Founder and COO Kabir Shittu, whose journey in AI and FinTech has been nothing short of extraordinary.
With a proven track record, including his earlier startup, Payant, which generated N1 billion ($700,000) in transaction volume, Kabir has consistently demonstrated a Midas touch in transforming ideas into impactful ventures.
His success as a serial entrepreneur is a testament to his enduring passion for innovation and his unwavering commitment to transforming Africa’s business and financial landscape.
With over 12 years of experience across multiple sectors, Kabir has become a key figure at the intersection of technology and finance, blending expertise in data, financial services, and entrepreneurship to reshape the way businesses operate across Africa.
From an early age, Kabir was captivated by numbers and data. His academic pursuits in statistics at Kaduna Polytechnic and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria laid the foundation for a career that would see him influence the AI and FinTech space.
His professional journey began in banking, with roles at Unity Bank, UBA, GTBank, BankPHB, and Diamond Bank, before transitioning into the financial services industry, where his true passion for AI and FinTech began to take root.
Kabir’s ability to blend technology and finance was the driving force behind the creation of Sudo Africa in 2020. As a co-founder, Kabir envisioned a company that would leverage AI to streamline business operations across sectors like financial services and e-commerce.
By offering AI-driven solutions that enhance decision-making and operational efficiency, Sudo Africa is empowering businesses to scale while maintaining a seamless customer experience.
When major players like Union54 were looking to exit the market due to chargeback fraud, Kabir took the initiative to lead the way in transforming card payment processing in Nigeria and beyond.
By championing the adoption of AI for fraud detection, he enabled numerous fintech companies to re-enter the market and provide the essential dollar infrastructure that many businesses across Africa rely on.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s FinTech landscape, Kabir highlights the remarkable progress achieved in recent years.
“In the past, we had to depend on foreign entities for critical infrastructure supporting dollarized payments. However, advancements, especially in AI, have made homegrown solutions not only feasible but widely adopted.”
From the skepticism surrounding digital payments in the early stages to the current boom in mobile money platforms, online lending, and peer-to-peer systems, Nigeria’s FinTech sector has evolved at an extraordinary pace.
However, Kabir acknowledges the challenges that remain are cybersecurity concerns, fraud detection, user verification, and regulatory hurdles that still need to be addressed to unlock even greater potential.
Looking ahead, Kabir envisions a future where Nigeria is at the forefront of AI and FinTech innovation in Africa.
He is particularly optimistic about the role mobile internet penetration will play in expanding tech-driven financial services. As the ecosystem matures, Kabir sees AI becoming deeply embedded in everyday financial transactions, from payment facilitation to smarter lending models and improved financial planning.
Additionally, the rise of blockchain and decentralized finance is set to further revolutionize the sector.
Despite the numerous challenges Kabir has faced, including securing funding and navigating a rapidly evolving market, he remains committed to driving change and creating opportunities for the next generation of innovators.
Furthermore, he emphasised, “I am passionate about mentoring young talent, sharing knowledge, and collaborating with both established financial institutions and emerging startups to foster a thriving ecosystem where innovation can flourish.
This commitment is evident in the mentorship panels he has participated in and the discussions he has led.
At the helm of SafeHaven MFB as Managing Director, Kabir is also focused on driving the digital transformation of Nigeria’s financial services. With Sudo Africa, Kabir is working on groundbreaking projects, such as Digital First Cards, designed to revolutionize payment solutions across Nigeria and Africa.
This innovation has the potential to reshape how payments are made, making them more secure, efficient, and accessible.
Kabir’s vision extends far beyond the borders of Nigeria. As he collaborates with international partners, particularly in the U.S., to scale operations and integrate AI into user verification processes, his ultimate goal is to build businesses that solve real-world problems, foster sustainable growth, and contribute to Africa’s thriving digital economy.
His work is not just about building companies, it’s about creating lasting impact, one that is socially responsible and deeply transformative for the continent.
For aspiring entrepreneurs in AI and FinTech, Kabir’s advice is clear: embrace risk, stay curious, and always adapt to change.
“The road to success isn’t always smooth,” he says, “but every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. If you stay committed and focused on solving real problems, the rewards will come.”
Kabir Shittu’s relentless drive and visionary leadership are not just shaping the future of FinTech and AI in Nigeria, they are laying the groundwork for Africa to emerge as a global leader in digital innovation.
