Muhammed Agbaje, a visionary Nigerian tech entrepreneur, is making waves in the African tech ecosystem with his innovative startup, Midupay, and his commitment to empowering underserved communities through ICT training programs in Ondo State.

Agbaje’s journey began with years of building websites for Nigerian businesses, where he noticed a recurring challenge: small and medium enterprises (SMEs) struggled with the high costs and complexities of going digital. This inspired the creation of Midupay, a free platform designed to help African SMEs establish an online presence and accept digital payments, eliminating many of the barriers posed by traditional banking systems.

“Midupay simplifies the process for businesses to go online and manage transactions,” Agbaje explained. The platform also offers an AI-powered feature called MyMidu, which anonymously analyzes sales data to provide tailored business advice. From suggesting high-performing products to recommending price adjustments based on market trends, MyMidu acts as a smart assistant for small businesses while prioritizing user privacy.

With a planned launch in July 2025, Agbaje and his team are refining Midupay to include enhanced features for MyMidu, ensuring the platform is ready to transform how African SMEs operate in the digital economy.

Empowering Youths Through ICT Training
Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Agbaje is deeply committed to fostering tech talent in underserved communities. In Owo, Ondo State, he is leading a four-week ICT training program supported by the Ondo State Information Technology Agency (SITA) and the Nigeria-German Center for Migration and Development (GIZ-ZME). The initiative, part of a broader effort by the Ondo State Government to train 500 youths across the state, focuses on equipping 100 participants in Owo with skills in frontend development, including HTML, CSS, and WordPress.

“The enthusiasm from the participants is incredible,” Agbaje shared. His efforts have not gone unnoticed—his journal-style blog post about the training caught the attention of the SITA chairman, who reposted it on X, highlighting the program’s impact.

Agbaje envisions a sustainable future for the trainees, planning to create opportunities for continued learning and mentorship post-training. “It’s about giving them the tools to succeed and a network to lean on,” he said.

A Vision for Impact
Balancing Midupay’s development with his training efforts is no small feat, but Agbaje’s passion for impact keeps him grounded. “It’s all about creating solutions for the challenges around me,” he noted. His advice to aspiring tech entrepreneurs, particularly from underserved areas, is to start small and leverage available resources. “Use free online tools, look at the problems in your community, and don’t be afraid to ask for guidance,” he urged.

As Midupay prepares for its launch and the ICT training program continues to empower young Nigerians, Muhammed Agbaje is proving to be a driving force in both innovation and community development. His work is not only reshaping the digital landscape for African businesses but also building a foundation for the next generation of tech leaders in Ondo State.