OPay Wins Fintech Company of the Year for Second Time at Leadership Awards

Why It Matters

The repeat accolade reinforces OPay’s market dominance and signals growing confidence among regulators, investors, and consumers in Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem. It underscores the sector’s role in driving financial inclusion and economic stability.

Key Takeaways

• OPay wins Fintech Company of the Year 2025.
• Second consecutive award highlights sustained industry leadership.
• Platform serves millions, boosting financial inclusion for MSMEs.
• Emphasis on security, innovation drives customer trust.
• Award recognized by high‑level government and UN officials.

Pulse Analysis

Nigeria’s fintech sector has accelerated dramatically over the past decade, with mobile‑first solutions reshaping how consumers and small businesses transact. OPay, launched in 2018, quickly amassed a network that now supports millions of users across payment, transfer, and merchant services. Its rapid scaling reflects broader regional trends where digital wallets and QR‑code payments are eclipsing traditional banking, especially among underbanked populations. By securing a license from the Central Bank of Nigeria and insurance parity with commercial banks, OPay has built a credibility foundation that differentiates it from many emerging rivals.

The Leadership Annual Conference award serves more than a ceremonial purpose; it signals to investors and policymakers that OPay’s business model delivers measurable outcomes in security, reliability, and inclusion. Recognition by high‑level officials, including the First Lady and a UN deputy secretary‑general, amplifies the company’s visibility and may ease future regulatory negotiations. For venture capitalists eyeing Africa’s digital economy, repeated accolades act as a proxy for operational excellence, potentially unlocking deeper funding rounds and strategic partnerships that can accelerate product innovation and geographic expansion.

Looking ahead, OPay’s challenge will be to sustain growth while navigating intensifying competition from both home‑grown startups and global players entering the African market. Continued investment in AI‑driven fraud detection, interoperable APIs, and rural outreach will be critical to maintaining its leadership edge. As the continent pushes toward broader financial inclusion goals, OPay’s trajectory offers a blueprint for how fintech firms can blend regulatory compliance, customer‑centric design, and robust security to capture market share and drive economic development.

OPay Wins Fintech Company of the Year for Second Time at Leadership Awards

February 16, 2026

OPay, one of Nigeria’s leading fintech companies, has been named Fintech Company of the Year 2025 at the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards, held on 12 February 2026 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja. This marks the second consecutive time OPay has received the honour, having been the only fintech awarded as Fintech Company of the Year 2024.

L‑R: Kayode Oladotun Dosumu, Government Relations Manager, OPay; Dr. Maxwell Patrick Loko, Vice President, Public and Government Affairs, OPay; Micheal Okpere, Vice Chairman, LEADERSHIP Newspaper Group; Gerald Okonkwo, KA Business Hospitality, OPay, at the recently held 18th edition of the Leadership Conference and Award event in Abuja.

The award recognises OPay’s continued leadership in Nigeria’s fintech sector, its strong focus on innovation, security, and accessibility, and its role in expanding financial inclusion for millions of Nigerians and micro, small, and medium‑sized enterprises (MSMEs). Amid several nominees with strong credentials, OPay was selected for its consistent delivery of digital‑first financial solutions that are safe, reliable, and easy to use.

The event was attended by an array of distinguished personalities, including Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Dr. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary‑General of the United Nations and Chair of the Sustainable Development Group, who delivered an insightful keynote address on the event’s theme, “Political Stability and Sustainable Development in Africa in an increasingly Unstable Global System: A Roadmap for Nigeria”; Most Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese; Dame Patience Jonathan, former First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; Mrs. Didi Esther Walson‑Jack, OON, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Boss Mustapha, CFR, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation; as well as eminent traditional rulers from across the country.

L‑R: Kayode Oladotun Dosumu, Government Relations Manager, OPay; Dr. Maxwell Patrick Loko, Vice President, Public and Government Affairs, OPay; Gerald Okonkwo, KA Business Hospitality, OPay, at the recently held 18th edition of the Leadership Conference and Award event in Abuja.

Receiving the award, Dr. Maxwell Loko, VP Public and Government Affairs at OPay, said:

“This award is a strong endorsement of our commitment to building secure and accessible financial services for Nigerians. At OPay, we focus on solving real problems, helping people send money safely, save with confidence, and run their businesses better. Being recognised for the second time motivates us to keep raising the bar for innovation, security, and customer trust.”

Over the years, OPay has introduced a range of safety features and digital solutions designed to protect users while making financial services faster and more convenient. Its platform supports millions of individuals and MSMEs across the country, helping them participate more fully in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

Also commenting on the award, Elizabeth Wang, Chief Commercial Officer at OPay, said:

“Winning fintech company of the year again shows the trust our customers place in OPay. We design our products around our customers’ needs, with a strong focus on security, ease of use, and value. Our goal is to empower people and businesses with tools that support growth, stability, and long‑term financial confidence.”

The Leadership Annual Conference and Awards brings together policymakers, business leaders, and industry experts to recognise organisations and individuals making meaningful contributions to national development. OPay’s back‑to‑back recognition at the event reinforces its position as a leading force in Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem.

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About OPay

OPay was established in 2018 as a leading financial institution in Nigeria with the mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology. The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfer, bill payment, card service, airtime and data purchase, and merchant payments, among others. Renowned for its fast and reliable network and strong security features that protect customers’ funds, OPay is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria and insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation with the same insurance coverage as commercial banks.