On a quiet Saturday morning in April, Olawale Akanbi stood beneath the newly installed roof of a public-school classroom in Lagos, one of eight renovated under the leadership of his alumni group. For a moment, he wasn’t the divisional head of Growth Marketing at Interswitch or a seasoned executive known across fintech and consumer markets. He was simply Olawale, a proud graduate of Stadium Grammar School, returning to give back.
“It’s one thing to build brands and platforms, but creating safe spaces for children to learn, that’s the kind of impact you feel in your bones,” he shared with a quiet smile, watching as students tested their desks, soon to be upgraded in the next phase of the project.
This mix of strategic precision and grounded leadership is what defines Olawale Akanbi’s journey.
Currently leading Growth Marketing for Merchants & Ecosystem businesses at Interswitch, Akanbi’s rise from Marketing Manager in 2018 to Divisional Head is a reflection of sustained performance and long-range vision. His work isn’t about just selling products, it’s about building scalable, inclusive systems that redefine how value moves through society.
*From Vision to Execution: Building Sustainable Scale*
Akanbi’s expertise spans FinTech, FMCG, and FMCH, three high-stakes industries where agility and structure often collide. With degrees in both Engineering and Business, plus executive education from Lagos Business School, he brings a rare duality to the table: systems-level thinking and on-the-ground market instinct. It’s this unique blend that powers his ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive large-scale adoption of complex digital solutions.
At Interswitch, he has been instrumental in transforming the merchant experience, shaping how products are positioned, and driving strategies that have led to exponential revenue growth. His playbook relies on a simple but effective formula: data-informed strategy with a human-centered lens.
“When you’re solving for millions, the goal isn’t just to capture market share. The goal is to deliver value in ways that create loyalty and trust,” he often tells his team.
His contributions reach beyond financial performance, they touch user experience, brand engagement, and long-term ecosystem development across markets in Africa.
*A Leader in Thought and Practice*
Akanbi is also a recognized voice in the evolution of digital services. His published papers, including “The Impacts of the External Environment on the Marketing of Financial Services in Nigeria” and “Cross-Industry Applications of Fintech”, are often referenced in both academic and corporate strategy circles. As an advisor to both the Euromonitor Expert Panel and Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), he contributes to shaping how market leaders adapt to disruption across sectors.
Industry accolades have followed: from being named Best Brand Manager at GSK Nigeria in 2012 to more recent recognitions like the Global Recognition Award and Industry Champion Award in 2024. But it’s clear he doesn’t chase titles, he chases transformation.
Whether mapping out GTM strategies or coaching junior analysts through product design sprints, Akanbi leads with clarity, generosity, and deep market insight. As a Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) member, he’s committed to raising the bar, not just for himself, but for the next generation of African marketers and strategists.
*Grounded in Service and Passion*
Even with his full calendar, Akanbi remains dedicated to service. As President of the Stadium Grammar School Old Students Association (Class of ’95), he’s mobilized resources and people to upgrade learning infrastructure for hundreds of students. The association’s ongoing plans to replace 250 furniture units speak to a leader who understands that impact starts at home.
That humility carries into his personal life too. A lifelong fan of table tennis, he has won three amateur medals across university and corporate competitions. “The discipline of the game, the precision, the rhythm, it’s not unlike business,” he says. “You learn to anticipate, respond, and stay focused.”
*Redefining Growth for the Next Decade*
As digital transformation accelerates across Africa, Akanbi sees a unique opportunity and responsibility for leaders like him to shape its trajectory. For him, the next wave of growth is about more than market dominance: it’s about inclusive innovation.
“Technology without purpose is just noise. What we build must not only work but matter.”
Whether he’s scaling fintech products, writing frameworks for industry adaptation, or inspiring teams to think beyond targets, Olawale Akanbi is redefining what it means to lead with both head and heart.
In a world saturated with short-term wins, Akanbi offers something more enduring: vision that is strategic, leadership that is human, and growth that truly transforms.