GLOBAL SISTERS IN INNOVATION Changing the narrative in tech in Nigeria

Oluwaseun “Seun” Runsewe Senior Product Manager at Chipper Cash CEO of Switch by Sterling Bank Founder of Biamo Money

interviewed her for its “Women in Tech Docuseries” (https://youtu.be/LKzXot591KI).

According to its website, Techplus creates a platform for startups while building a community of tech enthusiasts in Nigeria and curating experiences and insightful data for tech inclusion and social change.

Early in her career, Runsewe earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Covenant University, a Christian university in Ota, about 300 miles southwest of Abuja. After graduation, she gained certification in SAP management software and data processing. The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a U.S.-based group, also issued her IT certifications.

One of Runsewe’s first jobs was as sales lead for a payment processor of more than 80,000 businesses. Prior, she served as a project coordinator for Project Africa, KPMG’s initiative to push the frontiers of financial services in Africa. When Techplus interviewed Runsewe, she was CEO of Switch by Sterling Bank. Below are excerpts from her story:

The You may not have heard of Oluwaseun “Seun” Runsewe, but she is a rising star in global technology. On Dec. 5, Reach 4 Digital Skills (@r4digitalskills) tweeted Runsewe, who goes by the handle @SRunsewe, was live on stage.

A week earlier, GiddyUp (@Giddyup_ng), which scales creative businesses with access to knowledge and support, introduced her as their creative highlight. “Seun stands out as one of the women in IT to watch,” the Lagos, Nigeria-based business said. In April 2020, Seun, then a product director at OPay NG, served as a panelist on the fintech panel of the 10th annual MIT Africa Innovate Conference.

Currently a senior product manager at Chipper Cash, CEO of Switch by Sterling Bank, and founder of Biamo Money, Runsewe first came to the world’s attention during International Women’s Day 2019 when Techplus

How She Got Into Technology

Growing up in Nigeria, Runsewe wanted to be an engineer.

“I come from a close-knit home,” she told Techplus. “I had two siblings. I am the first. A strong influence is my mother. She raised my siblings and I alone, and she never gave up…While in school, I was shaped by the internships that I took. I had my first job at 17. My mother was not going to allow anyone to sit at home for summer.

“I wanted to study aeronautics but ended up studying business administration at Covenant University. That is where I took an interest in technology. In university, I was certified as a consultant and then a professional project manager for IT projects with CompTIA.

“I got my first peek into how cool technology was when a friend was implementing SAP ERP [an enterprise resource planning software developed by SAP] for an oil and gas company,” she said. “I was just taken by it. That is how my little dance with technology started.

“The advice I give to young girls interested in technology is: be curious,“ she added. “There is no ceiling. There is no boundary to anything. Be open. Because in this world, in this space, things happen so fast.”

Runsewe urges women in tech to show young girls that there is room for them in tech. She also advised successful women to be more vocal about their careers. However, she confessed to being “wary” of the term mentor.

“People think a mentor is someone we just take advice from, but I think people can influence each other. There are communities in Nigeria that women in tech can benefit from and mentorship programs that people can take advantage of to start relationships with people who are doing amazing things in technology. Network with people. Hopefully, you can get more done.”

A TECH LEADER, YOU NEED TO KNOW

Runsewe’s LinkedIn page (https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ oluwaseun-runsewe?trk=public_profile_browsemap) has more than 10,000 followers. A seasoned business leader, she also describes herself as an advocate for people and development. Since June 2022, she has served as an information security analyst at Chipper Cash, a company that sends and receives money across Africa. Other roles she has held include vice president of growth with Softcom Limited Graphic. She is also doing a master’s degree in cybersecurity at the University of Chester and hopes to graduate in 2023.

In May 2021, she was featured by Vogue India (https:// www.vogue.in/culture-and-living/content/west-africawomen-technology-industry-professionals). Runsewe told the global magazine that she was looking to launch a digital bank for mothers.

“I became a single mother a month after I turned 25 with less than $15 to my name, so I’ve had to figure out how to make and manage money for my son’s future while working in fintech over the past five years,” Seun said.

mission is to put the same tools and knowledge that have worked for me in the hands of as many mothers as possible—especially single mothers.” 