Expert advocates stronger telecom, fintech collaboration

Former Chief Sales and Distribution Officer at MTN Nigeria, Adekunle Adebiyi, has called for stronger collaboration between the telecommunications and fintech sectors to expand financial inclusion in Nigeria.

Adebiyi said telecom infrastructure plays a crucial role in expanding access to financial services, particularly for underserved populations.

“Financial inclusion starts with identity. Without a verified identity, millions of people are excluded from essential financial services. Through telecom infrastructure, we accelerated NIN enrolment at scale, demonstrating how mobile networks can drive financial access,” Adebiyi said in a statement on Monday.

During his tenure at MTN Nigeria, Adebiyi led the enrolment of more than one million Nigerians for their National Identity Numbers, an initiative that helped expand financial access by enabling more people to meet banking and digital transaction requirements.

“I am proud of my contributions to MTN and grateful for the opportunities I had. My departure was a natural progression in my career. It became clear that it was time for a new chapter—one where I could continue to apply my expertise and drive impact in industries that align with my values and vision for innovation,” he said.

After leaving MTN, Adebiyi transitioned into the fintech sector, leading efforts to scale digital payment solutions and financial services for underserved populations. As Chief Commercial Officer at ITEX Integrated Services, he worked on agent banking models, mobile payments, and digital transaction platforms that connected more Nigerians to financial services.

“The future of finance is digital, and telecoms provide the infrastructure to make it work,” Adebiyi said.

“We’ve seen how mobile money has revolutionised payments in Africa. The next step is ensuring these financial services are even more inclusive, reaching every segment of society, especially the unbanked,” he concluded.