Emeka Cletus Okemadu has been named as the 252nd Certified Global Tech Hero, in recognition of his transformative leadership across Nigeria’s digital finance and technology ecosystems.

With a career spanning over six years, Emeka has consistently delivered cutting‑edge solutions that bridge the gap between traditional business models and the digital future. His early work at Access Bank Plc saw him as part of the team that pioneered digital lending in Nigeria with the PayDay loan product, that has disbursed over eighteen million loans totaling over ₦740 billion from inception, simplifying access to funds and driving financial inclusion amongst millions of underserved Nigerians. He further led several digital lending initiatives, including digitizing the device‑finance scheme and harmonizing product offerings following a major bank merger, ensuring seamless customer experiences and scalable operational frameworks.

At Interswitch, Emeka expanded his impact as Product Owner of Quickteller’s payment and lifestyle suite, leading the development and launch of Quickteller Homes and Quickteller Transport. Under his stewardship, the Quickteller Homes platform attracted nearly 4,000 users and more than 1,400 agents within the first year, listing hundreds of properties and contributing to Quickteller’s revenue uplift. He also led the successful integration of the Value Finance buy‑now‑pay‑later feature, cementing Quickteller’s position at the forefront of consumer finance innovation.

Today, Emeka is at the front of product strategy and innovation at Oze, where his visionary application of artificial intelligence and machine learning has revolutionised SME financial management and access to credit. By automating bookkeeping and leveraging a robust credit‑risk model, he has contributed to Oze maintaining a clean loan book with a very minimal default rate. His initiatives have spurred a 300 percent increase in app activation rate, from 1.16 percent in mid‑2023 to over 10 percent today, while loan eligibility and applications have grown by 50 percent and 147 percent respectively, all achieved without compromising asset quality. His work has garnered international backing from VISA and DEG, underscoring his influence on global fintech standards.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Emeka has dedicated himself to nurturing the next generation of tech leaders. Through partnerships with top EdTech firms and professional societies, he has mentored over 100 aspiring product managers, delivering thousands of minutes of guidance on no‑code development, user‑centric design, and strategic road‑mapping. His thought leadership has been featured in leading industry outlets, where he shares insights on scaling solutions for SMEs across Africa.

“Emeka’s journey is deserving of the Global Tech Hero certification,” said Qazeem Oladejo, founder of The Connected Awards. “His measurable impact in digital lending, innovative contributions to fintech platforms, and unwavering commitment to mentorship illustrate how purposeful technology leadership drives societal progress. We celebrate his achievements as a beacon for other professionals to channel their expertise toward a more digitized, inclusive future.”

Emeka Cletus Okemadu’s induction as the 252nd Certified Global Tech Hero honors his accomplishments and heralds the continued evolution of Africa’s digital transformation under the guidance of leaders who think boldly and act decisively.