Karibi Iketubosin, Crest Africa’s 2024 Tech Innovator of the Year, has blazed a trail in digital transformation through his strategic leadership at Honeycoin. As CDTO, Iketubosin spearheaded critical projects that strengthened risk management, improved operational yields, and expanded access to essential digital financial services throughout Africa.
In an exclusive interview, he reflects on the challenges and breakthroughs that marked his journey, discussing how innovation and a focus on empowering local communities propelled Honeycoin’s success. Iketubosin emphasises the importance of executive decision-making informed by data and the need for collaborative efforts to drive sustainable change in Africa’s tech scene.
“Innovation, to me, isn’t just about technology, it’s about empathy,” Iketubosin says with a reflective smile. “Every digital product we build has to connect to real human needs. If it doesn’t make life simpler for someone in any way or open a new opportunity for a small business owner, then we’ve missed the point.”
He recounts the sleepless nights spent mapping out what would become one of Honeycoin’s cornerstone platforms.
“There were moments when the data didn’t line up, when the models predicted failure,” he admits. “But those were the moments that forced us to think differently, to listen harder, to collaborate more. That’s where the real breakthroughs happened.”
Asked how he feels about being named Tech Innovator of the Year, Iketubosin remains humble.
“It’s truly an honour, but I see it as a collective win,” he says. “The recognition belongs to every engineer, designer, and field officer who believed in the vision. Innovation in Africa can’t be a one-person story; it has to be a shared journey.”
He closes on a forward-looking note. “Africa’s tech future isn’t waiting to happen, it’s already unfolding,” he says. “Our job is to keep the momentum going and ensure that every innovation leaves no one behind.”
His achievements underscore the impact that creative leadership can have on shaping a more connected and inclusive future.
