Driving Innovation and Empowering Africa: An Interview with Oluwafunke Kofoworade

To celebrate her impactful career in technology and product management, we sat down with Oluwafunke Kofoworade, Lead Product Manager FastaMoni /Founder TechProductGems to discuss her journey, key achievements, and her vision for the future of tech.

Below is the interview highlighting how Oluwafunke is leveraging innovation, strategic leadership, and mentorship to drive meaningful change across Africa and beyond. Her work demonstrates how thoughtful, user-focused technology can empower communities, create opportunities, and promote sustainable growth. Through her leadership, she has not only scaled digital solutions but has also cultivated inclusive teams and nurtured emerging talent, positioning herself as a role model for aspiring tech leaders.

Interviewer: Congratulations on your remarkable journey in tech! Could you share the story behind your career and what inspired you to pursue leadership in technology?

Oluwafunke Kofoworade: Thank you! I was born and raised in Nigeria as the eldest of three children. Growing up in a financially constrained household, I learned responsibility and resilience early on, often taking the lead in managing my education and supporting my siblings.

From a young age, I was fascinated by how things work, especially computers. I would dismantle old systems just to understand them. This curiosity led me to earn a National Diploma in Computer Engineering and a Higher National Diploma in Computer Science. While I started with hardware, I realized I was most drawn to solving human problems through technology, which naturally guided me into Product Management.

Early in my career, I took roles in administration and project coordination that sharpened my organisational and stakeholder management skills. I gradually transitioned fully into tech, learning to write user stories, prototype solutions, and collaborate with engineers and designers all while keeping the user at the center of every decision.

Over the years, I have led projects across EdTech, and FinTech delivering solutions that improve efficiency, enhance user experiences, and scale impact. Alongside this, I founded TechProductGems to mentor and support emerging product professionals in Africa, combining my passion for technology with community empowerment.

My journey has been defined by curiosity, persistence, and a desire to create meaningful impact through technology. Every step from humble beginnings to leading innovative products has reinforced my belief in the power of resilience, learning, and purposeful problem-solving.

Interviewer: What do you consider to be the key factors that have contributed to your success?

Oluwafunke Kofoworade: For me, success has come down to three things: resilience, continuous learning, and impact. I have always been someone who leans into challenges and looks for opportunities to create solutions, no matter how complex they seem. That mindset has shaped how I work and lead in tech.

A big part of my growth has been my commitment to lifelong learning. I have earned certifications such as Certified Product Manager (CPM), Agile Product Manager and Product Owner (ACPM). I am also an Associate Member of Women in Technology (WIT) and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI). These have equipped me with the tools to combine strategy, data, and creativity to deliver products that work for people, not just processes.

Another factor is collaboration and mentorship. I have led diverse teams and founded TechProductGems to support and mentor emerging product professionals across Africa. I believe empowering others not only strengthens teams but also creates a ripple effect of innovation.

A central part of my approach is focusing on measurable outcomes. In my work within fintech, I’ve led initiatives that have simplified digital transactions, enhanced user confidence, and improved accessibility for underserved groups. My focus is always on creating products that go beyond solving immediate challenges delivering long-term value, streamlining processes, and driving sustainable growth. For me, success means ensuring technology empowers people and enables businesses to thrive.

I think it is this balance, resilience, learning, collaboration, and focus on meaningful impact that has defined my journey and continues to inspire my work in technology.

Interviewer: What core values have guided you throughout your career?

Oluwafunke Kofoworade: At the heart of my career are six core values: integrity, innovation, collaboration, impact, mentorship, and empowerment.

I strive to create solutions that truly solve problems, not just implement technology for its own sake. User needs are always at the center of my work, and I rely on data-driven decision-making to ensure solutions are both effective and scalable.

Integrity guides every decision I make. Whether leading a team, managing stakeholders, or building products, I believe trust and transparency are non-negotiable.

Innovation has always been a driving force for me. I am passionate about exploring creative ways technology can solve real-world problems, and I’m not afraid to challenge conventional approaches if it means achieving better outcomes.

Collaboration is equally vital. I’ve seen that the best results come when diverse voices, skills, and perspectives align toward a shared vision. That’s why I’m intentional about creating inclusive environments where people feel valued and empowered.

Impact is what ties everything together. For me, technology is not just about building products—it’s about improving lives, increasing accessibility, and creating opportunities for growth. Keeping impact at the core ensures that my work is meaningful and sustainable.

Finally, mentorship and empowerment are values I hold dearly. Leadership is not only about results, but also about enabling others to succeed. I dedicate significant energy to guiding and inspiring emerging talent across Africa’s tech ecosystem, ensuring the next generation of innovators can thrive.

These values have consistently guided me, helping me navigate challenges, lead with purpose, and remain grounded no matter how far I progress in my career.

Interviewer: Could you share some of your key milestones and recognitions?

Oluwafunke Kofoworade: Looking back, my career milestones reflect a journey of growth, innovation, and recognition. I began by building a strong foundation in technology, which gave me the skills and confidence to transition into product leadership. Those early experiences taught me accountability, resilience, and the importance of keeping user needs at the heart of any solution.

A key milestone for me has been driving innovation in deverse sectors , edtech , fintech. In education technology, I have worked on solutions that streamlined onboarding, improved learner engagement, and strengthened partnerships with institutions. In financial technology, I have led the development of digital platforms that simplified transactions, enhanced accessibility, and empowered entrepreneurs. These experiences affirmed my belief that technology, when thoughtfully applied, can remove barriers, solve systemic problems, and unlock opportunities for growth.

Along the way, my efforts have been recognised through awards such as the YALI Next-Generation Talent in Digital Product Management, the Digital Innovation Changemaker of the Year, and Tech Product Development Manager of the Year from the Nigeria Technology Awards. Being featured in the National Tribune also provided a platform to share my insights on technology leadership and the importance of building solutions that deliver real impact.

Beyond professional achievements, another milestone I hold dear is the founding of TechProductGems, a community platform dedicated to mentoring and empowering emerging product professionals across Africa. Supporting the growth of underrepresented talent and creating pathways for others to succeed has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey.

Together, these milestones highlight not just personal growth, but the broader influence of my work in advancing digital innovation, shaping industry conversations, and strengthening communities. They serve as a reminder that leadership is about driving meaningful change while enabling others to thrive.

Interviewer: How has your leadership style contributed to your success, and what do you attribute your team’s cohesion to?

Oluwafunke Kofoworade: My leadership style is rooted in empowerment, collaboration, and clarity of vision. I believe that great results come when people feel trusted and valued, so I make it a priority to create an environment where team members have the freedom to innovate while knowing they have my full support. I encourage open dialogue, invite diverse perspectives, and ensure that everyone understands not just the what but also the why behind our goals.

I have found that cohesion comes from alignment and respect. When a team shares a common purpose and feels that their individual contributions truly matter, collaboration becomes natural. I also invest heavily in mentorship and professional growth, because I see leadership not as directing people, but as enabling them to succeed. By combining clear structures with room for creativity, I’ve been able to build teams that are both resilient and adaptable qualities that are essential in fast-changing industries like technology.

Ultimately, my success has been inseparable from the success of my teams. I attribute that to a culture of shared ownership, mutual respect, and a belief that innovation is strongest when it is driven collectively.

Interviewer: What sets you apart from other tech leaders in the industry?

Oluwafunke Kofoworade:What sets me apart is the way I balance technical innovation with human-centered leadership. For me, technology is never about chasing trends, it is  about solving real problems in ways that create long-term value. I approach leadership by deeply understanding user needs, engaging with data, and then translating those insights into solutions that are both impactful and scalable.

Another distinction is my ability to work across multiple domains. I have led innovations in both EdTech and FinTech, two sectors that are very different but equally critical to Africa’s growth story. That breadth of experience allows me to see connections others may miss and to apply lessons from one industry to challenges in another.

I also see leadership as more than delivering products, it is about building ecosystems. Through initiatives like TechProductGems, I mentor and support emerging talent across Africa’s tech space. This commitment to community empowerment ensures that my impact extends beyond my own projects to strengthening the wider innovation landscape.

Finally, I stay grounded in my values, integrity, collaboration, and impact. These guide every decision I make, and I believe they are what enable me to consistently earn trust, inspire teams, and deliver results that matter.

Interviewer: How has your approach evolved over time?

Oluwafunke Kofoworade: My approach has evolved from a focus on learning and mastering individual technical skills to leading with a broader, strategic perspective. Early in my career, I concentrated on understanding systems, user needs, and product fundamentals, honing my ability to deliver solutions that truly addressed real-world challenges.

Over time, I realized that impact doesn’t come from technology alone, it comes from aligning people, processes, and innovation. I began integrating a more holistic approach, combining user-centered design, agile methodologies, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure solutions are sustainable and scalable.

Additionally, mentorship and ecosystem-building became central to my approach. I now focus not only on delivering results but also on empowering teams, fostering inclusive environments, and nurturing talent so that others can grow alongside the products and projects I lead.

Ultimately, my evolution has been about balancing technical expertise with strategic leadership, ensuring that every initiative I lead drives measurable impact while cultivating a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous learning.

Interviewer: Looking forward, what is your vision for technology and leadership in Africa?

Oluwafunke Kofoworade: My vision for technology and leadership in Africa is centered on driving inclusive innovation that empowers communities and transforms industries. I see technology as a catalyst for solving real-world challenges, from financial inclusion and education to healthcare and logistics, and I aim to lead initiatives that create sustainable impact across these sectors.

I also envision a new generation of African tech leaders who are values-driven, collaborative, and solutions-oriented. By mentoring emerging talent, supporting diversity, and fostering ecosystems where ideas can flourish, we can build resilient, world-class tech communities that compete globally while addressing local needs.

Ultimately, my goal is to leverage technology to unlock opportunities, improve lives, and create lasting change, positioning Africa and the world at large as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership on the global stage.

Interviewer: What message would you like to convey to your peers and aspiring leaders in tech?

Oluwafunke Kofoworade: My message to peers and aspiring leaders in tech is to embrace curiosity, resilience, and purpose-driven work. Technology is a powerful tool, but its impact depends on the people behind it. Stay committed to learning, remain adaptable in the face of challenges, and always lead with integrity. Seek opportunities to collaborate, uplift others, and create solutions that make a tangible difference. Remember, leadership is not just about personal success, it is about empowering others, driving meaningful innovation, and leaving a positive mark on the communities and industries you serve.