Nigeria’s Olisa named chair of Interswitch

Interswitch, an Africa-focused integrated digital payments and commerce company, has appointed Kenneth Olisa as its new Chairman. He succeeds Adedotun Sulaiman.

His appointment followed the minority investment by TA Associates in Interswitch in March.It was a landmark transaction being TA’s first ever investment on the African continent. Helios Investment Partners, which invested in the company in 2011, is a majority shareholder in the company. Olisa, though of a Nigerian descent, is a British businessman has over 40 years experience in technology that started at IBM.

He founded and led the technology Merchant Bank Interregnum and is also the founder and chairman of Restoration Partners, an independent boutique technology merchant bank, reputed as architects of the Virtual Technology Cluster model.

He is currently a Director of Thomson Reuters.  He became the first black Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London in 2015 having been appointed by the British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth.

Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe, said: “Ken’s inspiring business leadership, vast experience and professional expertise will be great assets to Interswitch, as he comes on board as Chairman at a defining phase in our journey of transformation and international expansion.

“We are delighted to welcome him on board, in succession to the visionary and highly successful tenure of Adedotun Sulaiman, who, as country CEO of Accenture, played a key role in the formative years of our company and upon assuming the role of Chairman, oversaw the successful transition of Interswitch to private equity ownership”.

Man, who called for prayers for the will of God to prevail for peace and unity during the forthcoming 2019 general elections, the heat of which is already being felt, implored all Christians to register to enable them collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC).“All Christians are to join any viable political party of their choice and seek for political offices they wish,” he said.