Oremeyi Akah has left an indelible mark on the fintech landscape in Africa. Recently, she launched her captivating memoir, “Two Decades and a Dream”, a powerful reflection of her journey.
As the Chief Customer Success Officer at Interswitch, she has been instrumental in shaping the company’s vision and driving innovation. Through her NGO, Africans Build Africa, she has empowered countless young Africans to become solution-driven leaders, making her memoir a timely and inspiring call to action for a new generation of leaders; a reflection of her impact that has grown over two decades of her career. MARY NNAH Writes
In a continent bursting with untapped potential, one woman’s remarkable journey shines like a beacon, illuminating the path for others to follow. Oremeyi Akah, a trailblazing force in Nigeria’s fintech industry, has just unveiled her captivating memoir, “Two Decades and A Dream,” a vibrant chronicle of her unwavering dedication to unleashing Africa’s immense potential.
The book launch, held at the prestigious Four Points by Sheraton in Lagos, was a joyous celebration of Akah’s inspiring journey, from her humble beginnings to her current role as Chief Customer Success Officer at Interswitch. Her story is a masterclass in resilience, determination, and growth, motivating a new generation of Africans to rise, lead, and leave an indelible mark on the continent.
Akah’s husband, Ejimofor Akah, CEO of Iwemi Publishing, eloquently described the book as a reflection of Africa’s boundless potential, highlighting the continent’s vast resources and human capital. “Africa will thrive,” he declared, emphasising the importance of Africans taking charge of their destiny and harnessing their collective brilliance. “We must open our eyes and take advantage of the potential that we have in Africa to build ourselves. Africa is ours. It’s not for any other person. It’s for us. So we have to build it.”
For Oremeyi Akah, the book is more than just a memoir; it’s a passionate call to action. “It’s a call to every one of us to look within, to birth solutions that make a lasting impact,” she said, her words echoing with conviction. “I believe that it will take Africans to build Africa. We are not waiting for anyone to come and do it for us. We are taking charge of our destiny, and we are building our future.”
Her remarkable journey, marked by groundbreaking achievements, including being the first electronic payment certified trainer in West Africa, serves as a powerful illustration of the transformative power of vision, hard work, and unwavering dedication. “I studied engineering as my undergraduate, and at that time, the IT industry was just popping,” Akah recalled. “And I was, thank goodness, mentored by one of my cousins, who basically directed me in that line to go into IT.”
Akah’s journey has not been without its challenges. She spoke candidly about the setbacks she faced while writing the book. “Of course, every great thing has a setback. I started writing this book about three years ago. It was just a concept. The first setback was trying to structure the book. But I had friends who gave me advice along the way. Today, for every chapter, we have a contributor, a leader in their own space, who agrees to write a part of every chapter.”
Despite the challenges, Akah’s determination and perseverance have paid off. Her book embodies her hard work and dedication. “I would say that in writing this book, I was able to draw on the people who have supported me through growth. And I would say that as you grow in life, it’s very important to keep and maintain the right relationships.”
The book’s launch is intricately linked to the noble work of Africans Build Africa, the NGO founded by Akah, which aims to empower African youths to become innovative, solution-driven leaders.
Proceeds from the book will support the NGO’s initiatives, including sponsoring less-privileged children to access quality education and unlocking their potential. “Our vision is to tie it to the impact on lives. When you buy this book or support the work of this book, you are not just buying a book that’s going to sit in your library. You are contributing to a vision that matters”, Akah explained.
Akah’s passion for giving back to society is evident in her work with Africans Build Africa. “We had our very first programme in 2019. We had a large children’s Nigerian concert, themed ‘My Nigeria’, where we showcased the culture, dressing and dance of so many tribes. The major the minor tribes in Nigeria. We had over 700 children in attendance.”
Ayodeji Adelabu, Executive Director of Standard Chartered Bank and a close friend of the author, warmly praised Akah’s passion for giving back to society. “I’m excited to be part of what is happening today. Oremeyi is taking time to curate her journey in over 20 years. So underneath the book or underpinning the writing of the book is her passion to give back to society. To have her experience documented and to also tell a story of how her drive to bring solutions to problems has brought her to where she is today.”
Adelabu further emphasised the significance of Akah’s story, saying, “On that journey are mountains that she’s had to surmount, challenging paths along her way. But she’s come to tell the story of how all things are possible to him who believes. And from all the things she said, you can see clearly that she has a firm belief in the ability of God to bring forth the deposit of the potential on the inside of her.
“So this book, I’m sure, is inspiring this generation and the next and several people to bring their best foot forward to impact Africa, particularly. And that is a word that has resonated strongly with all of today’s events. It’s about Africa. It’s about Africans bringing solutions to Africa. And ultimately, the world will come to learn from Africa. And this is a documentary of how that is possible”, Adelabu noted.
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