Babs Ogundeyi

Kemi Ajumobi

April 7, 2026

Babs Ogundeyi
Founder / CEO, Kuda

Kuda is a full service money app for Africans, leveraging on the power of digital and technology. Designed for your mobile phone and great at helping you budget, spend smartly, save, loans, invest, and more. Sitting as Founder/CEO is Babs Ogundeyi and their mission is to build the best money app for all Africans on the planet.

Last month, Babs was part of President Tinubu’s State Visit to the UK. The UK Government named Kuda among Nigerian companies expanding in the UK, with London as their base for what they are building globally.

“Building a bank is not clean or easy.” He admits and continues “There have been hard stretches, but being part of such a historic week, reminds me of the work we have done and just how far we have come.” He said.

He is celebrated on our ‘We’ve Got Men’ column because of his views on the need to encourage and empower women. For instance, he said “I’ve learnt over and over again at Kuda and elsewhere that when we give women our support, platforms that provide visibility, access to resources, relevant training, and mentorship that doesn’t take advantage of them, incredible things happen within organisations and in the world.” When he speaks from this line of thought, it is evident he supports causes that empower women and projects them in the positive light. At IWA, we are here to celebrate such men, we are here for this!

One endearing attribute of Babs is his thirst for leading innovation and creativity. This is evident in the bank as few months ago, they introduced their first-ever Kuda Olympics. Yes, you heard that right. To celebrate Nigeria’s culture and deepen their bonds as Kuda tribe members, they traded their workstations for the playing field. They split into 8 teams representing their different products to compete for gold and bragging rights. They certainly had fun with the football matches, sprints, relay races, chess and video games. A beautiful understanding of knowing when to work and when to play. After all, all work and no play makes…I permit you to fill in the gap in your own creative way!

From co-founding Motortrader Nigeria, to working as Engagement Manager at PwC, moving to Redbrick Ltd as Partner and then Special Adviser to the Governor  of Oyo State on Finance where he advised the State Governor on fiscal policies. He was responsible for capital raising in the State and successfully led the largest bond raise in the State’s history – a 55billion Naira bond programme. He was also responsible for setting up the Public Private Partnership (PPP) office and Debt Management Office (DMO) in Oyo State. Furthermore, he created products to boost Internally Generated Revenue, leading to a 5x increase in 4years. He set up and managed Oyo State Pension Contributory Scheme and was head of the State’s Microfinance Bank turning it from a $2m loss position into a profit making entity within 4years.

Babs moved on from there to co-found Kudimoney, Nigeria’s first online only lending and savings platform and in July 2018, he founded Kuda and like the saying goes, the rest is history! Today, Babs is celebrated globally for his feat, consistency and steady rise. Despite the obstacles, till date, he stands, Kuda stands!