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Top 10 African Product Managers
These product managers are shaping the future of technology and business on the continent and beyond. They come from diverse backgrounds and have a wide range of experiences, but all share a passion for building great products that solve real-world problems.
In this article, we will profile the top 10 African product managers who are making waves in the industry. These are the individuals who are leading the charge in product development, driving growth for their companies, and changing the face of business in Africa. From fintech to e-commerce, healthtech to edutech, these product managers are pushing the boundaries of what is possible and paving the way for a brighter future for the continent. So without further ado, let’s meet the top 10 African product managers you need to know about.
1. Oluwatobi Otokiti
Oluwatobi is a leading African female product management leader who is revolutionizing the tech space. She is a member of the Forbes Technology Council. Her dedication to innovative product development has earned her recognition as one of the top 10 female product management leaders in Africa. In 2022, she was an award winner of the US TechWomen initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
With over a decade of work experience in building financial and EduTech services technology products, Oluwatobi has a track record of delivering innovative technology products for Africa, the US, Europe and emerging markets.
She has worked in three unicorns – Flutterwave, Andela and Interswitch – which has positioned her as a strong product leader.
Oluwatobi is also the founder of Productive, the largest product management community and school in Africa that helps product managers become better skilled.
Her work at Productive has been recognized in the tech ecosystem in Africa due to the many success stories it has birthed. In addition to her work at Productive, Oluwatobi is also a product mentor at Google Launchpad.
Oluwatobi is a public speaker and has spoken at conferences in London, Manchester, South Africa, Rwanda and Nigeria. In 2020, she was a public speaker at Mind the Product, a product management conference with over 1,000 career professionals. Oluwatobi’s dedication to building great products and her contributions to the tech industry in Africa make her one of the top African product managers to watch.
2. Oladipupo Bolaji
Oladipupo is an experienced technology professional in the computer software industry, with a range of expertise in software development, project management, agile practices, and product management. Throughout his career, he has served in various roles, including Software Engineer & Programmer, Network Connectivity and Enterprise Software Solutions Provider, Senior Product Manager, and Service Delivery Manager.
Currently, Oladipupo is a Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, responsible for the product management of part of MESH among other responsibilities. With his extensive experience and accomplishments, he is confident in his ability to add value to any organization he works with.
Oladipupo has a strong track record of delivering successful products and services across a range of industries. He has a deep understanding of customer needs and has worked closely with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet those needs.
Oladipupo’s dedication to delivering great products and his contributions to the tech industry make him one of the top African product managers to watch.
3. Oluwatosin Isaiah Aladeojebi
Oluwatosin is a seasoned product manager in the fintech industry. His experience in leading African banks , FirstBank Nigeria and United Bank for Africa (UBA) where he currently is the Product Manager, Remittance Product Team have showcased his skill and expertise in solving problems in product management.
He is a certified Project Management Professional and also has a first class degree in Project Management from the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Oluwatosin is definitely one of the top African PMs to look out for.
4. Anjola Akinrinola
Anjola Akinrinola is a passionate and detail-oriented product manager with a strong focus on process, strategy, and solving user problems. With years of experience in the tech industry, he has developed a deep understanding of how to leverage market feedback, stakeholder management, and cross-functional team inputs to develop nimble processes and create concise product road maps.
Currently, Akinrinola is a Senior Product Manager at Omnibiz, where he oversees the product development process and helps the company to achieve its strategic objectives. With his extensive experience in product management, he has been instrumental in driving the success of several products and services across a range of industries. With his passion for product, process, and strategy, and his dedication to delivering great outcomes for his stakeholders, Akinrinola is one of the top African product managers to watch.
5. Benjamin Dada
Benjamin Dada is a startup and product-obsessed intrapreneur with years of experience working with startups at different stages of growth. With a focus on key go-to-market functions such as business development, partnerships, and growth, Benjamin has helped several startups to scale and achieve their strategic objectives.
Over the course of his career, Benjamin has worked for companies headquartered in Nigeria, South Africa, and the UK, giving him exposure to a broad range of cultures, a deep understanding of local landscapes, and a diverse professional network.
He is highly regarded for his expertise in the fintech sector, where he has made significant contributions to the growth of several startups.
In addition to his work in the fintech sector, Benjamin is also a leading voice in the African Tech Media space. He has spent over six years documenting the growth and evolution of the tech industry in Africa, first as a journalist and now as a media entrepreneur. His experience in this area has given him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing African startups, and he is passionate about using his platform to help them succeed.
Currently, Benjamin is a Product Manager at GigBridge, where he is responsible for overseeing the product development process and driving the success of the company’s products and services. With his deep knowledge of the startup ecosystem and his passion for product and innovation, Benjamin is one of the top African product managers to watch.
6. Uchechukwu Oluwakayode Ukaigwe
Uche is an accomplished IT professional with a strong background in product management, IT sales, and partnerships. With over five years of experience working with telecoms, consultancies, and startups, he has a proven track record of growing revenue for both Nigerian and international organizations. As a seasoned leader, Uche has extensive experience building and managing digital and SaaS products.
He brings an agile mindset, expert communication skills, and a data-driven approach to product planning and analysis.
Uche is well-versed in product development management using agile processes, user experience research and design, software QA manual testing, and operations management. He has a talent for writing feature requirements, developing product strategy, ensuring product safety, wireframing, roadmap planning, and execution.
Uche has also learned, developed, and managed products using Scrum methodologies, and he has a proven track record of identifying growth and product-market fit opportunities using metrics and data. Currently, Uche works as the Manager of Products and Partnerships at TBO Consulting Group. With his skills and experience, Uche is an invaluable asset to any team seeking to develop and launch successful products.
7. Temi Giwa
Temi is a seasoned Product Manager with over 15 years of experience in various tech fields, including Development, Digital Marketing, Consulting and Product Management.
She prides herself in her ability to craft, launch, and grow technology products from strategy to execution. With a proven track record of developing and executing product strategies in high-risk, low-information markets, Temi considers herself the “Swiss Army Knife” of Product Managers- generally useful, multi-purpose, and adaptable.
In her four years as Product Lead at Paystack, Temi has been responsible for driving product success for Nigeria across multiple levers, including Merchant Tools (Web and Mobile), Internal Operations, and Quick Delights. Prior to Paystack, Temi had worked at Wakanow and KPMG Nigeria, where she honed her expertise and gained a wealth of experience in product management.
8. Tobi Dele-Safa
Tobi is a driven and dedicated individual adept in Front-End Software Engineering and Product Management. She is currently a senior associate product manager at PwC Nigeria, bringing her skills in using Software Engineering and Product Management tools/frameworks such as React.js, React (TypeScript), Nodejs, APIs, MongoDB, Firebase, ABP, Python, Pandas, Scrum, Agile Methodology, Kanban, Waterfall, MSCW, T-Shirt framework, Jira, Figma, Asana, etc.
With over 3 years of experience as a Software Engineer, Tobi has worked with both startups and large corporations, as an in-house software engineer and freelancer.
She has worked with teams to build fraud management systems that have lowered fraudulent transactions by over 70% for clients, as well as fully automated internal audit solutions using Angular and the ABP framework. Tobi has also demonstrated her skills as a PM by consistently prioritizing effectively, bringing a thoughtful and engaging process to each business problem, and applying frameworks such as the MoSCoW method and T-Shirt Framework to select and develop features. She communicates clearly through the use of User Stories and by sharing the rationale behind each prioritization decision.
Overall, Tobi enjoys building and working on products to solve problems in several facets of human endeavor, especially in novel spaces. She is an extraordinary team player, with a blend of technical skill and business acumen, where she can align a group around a common goal and lead them to a successful outcome.
9. Jacquelyn Ekueme
Jacquelyn is an experienced Technology Solutions Professional with expertise in solution delivery using Agile and Waterfall methodologies. She is skilled in business process optimization using Lean principles and has a proven track record in resource and stakeholder management.
Currently a Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, Jacquelyn has also worked with leading Nigerian banks such as Access Bank, Diamond Bank, and United Bank for Africa (UBA).
She is passionate about leveraging technology to solve business problems and has successfully delivered various technology solutions for her clients. Her experience in managing complex programs and her ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders has enabled her to deliver value to her clients consistently.
10. Teneika Askew
Teneika Askew is an accomplished Analytics Leader with more than a decade of experience in providing data-driven insights, business process optimization, and consulting services.
She specializes in analyzing financial, talent, and operational data to drive workforce strategies for Fortune 500 companies. Using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, SQL, and Python, Teneika creates innovative and 100% data-driven solutions from organizational data. In addition to her expertise in business analysis for commercial, non-profit, and governmental entities, she is also committed to training hercolleagues and communities in the use of open data available through the DATA Act.
Teneika has received numerous awards, including the Women of Color in STEM – Technology All-Star Award, and has been recognized as a US Digital Leader by Globant in the annual edition of the Globant Awards – Women that Build. She holds several certifications, including Microsoft Data Analyst, Certified Scrum Master, and AWS Solution Architect. Teneika is a distinguished scholar and has been recognized as a speaker at several conferences, including People Analytics World and the Society of Women Engineers.
She currently is the Group Product Director, Data Science & Analytics Enablement in the US Navy.
The individuals mentioned in this article are talented and accomplished professionals in their respective fields. They possess a wide range of skills and experience, from product management to analytics and business consulting. Their dedication and expertise have earned them much deserved recognition and awards, and they continue to make significant contributions to their industries. They serve as inspiration and motivation for other Africans striving to excel in Product Management.
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Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation Bolsters Nigeria’s Education Drive with ₦2.7m Student Support
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation has reinforced government’s educational development efforts in Nigeria through a targeted initiative honouring the late medical doctor and House of Representatives member, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh.
L-R: Son of the late Dr, Cairo Ojougboh, Mr. Nkem Ojougboh; Chairperson, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh and another son, Mr. Orieka Ojougboh, during the event in Agbor, Delta State recently.
The foundation recently hosted a programme themed “Your Future, Your Choice” at St. Columba’s Grammar School in Agbor, headquarters of Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State.
It presented a cheque of ₦2,700,000 to cover examination fees for students preparing for West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO), and Junior Secondary School (JSS) 3 exams.
Academic excellence received further boosts with cash rewards for top students across the school’s nine academic arms, alongside distributions of notebooks and writing materials to enhance learning.
Chairperson Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, joined by her sons Mr. Nkem and Mr. Orieka Ojougboh, urged students to view challenges as stepping stones, embrace discipline, consistency, and focus, and make intentional choices shaping their futures.
“The school that moulded Dr. Cairo’s values deserves our support,” she said, highlighting the foundation’s commitment to inspiring hard work and personal growth.
Old Boys of St. Columba’s Grammar School, led by Elder Ndudi Agholor, attended in force, sharing nostalgic reflections and praising the school’s sustained high standards under current leadership.
School Principal Rev. Fr. Joseph Ugboh and Ika South LGA Chairman Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior lauded the initiative as “commendable and impactful,” calling for its continuation to preserve Dr. Ojougboh’s legacy of discipline, excellence, and service.
They noted the support had motivated students to pursue their goals with renewed determination, ending the event on a hopeful note.
In a landmark educational innovation, New Horizons Nigeria has become the first institution to integrate the Chinese (Mandarin) language into its ICT curricular as an elective, thereby positioning Nigerian students for relevance in the rapidly changing world order.
Mr. Tim Akano, Managing Director and CEO of New Horizons Systems Solutions Limited
New Horizons Nigeria is a leading ICT training and solutions provider committed to provide individuals and institutions with future-ready skills. Through innovative program, global partnerships, and strategic foresight, the organization continues to redefine education, workforce development, and global competitiveness.
With over 80% of global consumer products manufactured in China and China’s growing dominance in global supply chains and labour markets, New Horizons Nigeria recognizes the urgent need for the current generation to understand, speak, and engage with the Chinese language and culture. As global economic power dynamics evolve, the labour market is increasingly tilting towards China, making Mandarin proficiency a critical competitive advantage.
According to Mr. Tim Akano, Managing Director and CEO of New Horizons Systems Solutions Limited, Nigeria, the program represents far more than a language course.
He asserted that very soon, the global labour market is likely to increasingly reflect China’s influence rather than the predominantly western orientation it currently exhibits. Language will be a major differentiator and the first Chinese-speaking technology experts in Nigeria will have a significant advantage, especially in integration into Chinese companies operating locally and globally.
Therefore, New Horizons Nigeria has officially launched a Mandarin Scholarship Program with China Advancement Opportunity, selecting 100 outstanding students from five prominent Nigerian secondary schools. This initiative marks a major milestone in Nigeria–China educational cooperation and reflects a forward-thinking response to shifting global economic realities.
Furthermore, the scholarship program has commenced with an intensive three-month online Mandarin training and at the end of the program, the top-performing students will be selected strictly on merit. 20 outstanding students will receive an additional scholarship valued at $2,500 per students to participate in a one-year pre-degree Mandarin and cultural immersion program in China. From this group, the best candidates will progress to fully funded admission scholarships into top universities in China. This initiative is designed not only to build language proficiency but also to enhance global competence, international exposure, and cultural intelligence among Nigerian students.
Also, to maintain international academic standards, participating schools are required to comply with strict guidelines. They will be obligated to join the online classes ten minutes earlier, they must have a minimum of 85% attendance throughout the program, and must ensure they have a stable internet connectivity, reliable power supply and a conducive learning environment.
Therefore, School owners and administrators have been formally congratulated and strongly encouraged to nominate their most disciplined, and committed students, as advancement to the China program will be strictly merit-based.
However, apart from students, internation business men are equally encouraged to attend New Horizon’s Mandarin executive lessons which will equip them with basic Chinese language to enhance their business communications.
Additionally, while the pilot phase begins with selected secondary schools which includes Startrite School, Lightway School, British Nigerian Academy School, Honeyland Schools and Great Heights School, the Mandarin program will be available as an elective ICT course at all New Horizons retail centers.
This is done to extend access to students and learners beyond its partner schools and within one year, committed learners will be able to communicate effectively in Mandarin, which will open doors to global employment, trade, and cultural exchange.
In conclusion, a Mandarin Cultural Fiesta will be hosted, bringing together educators, students, institutional partners, and distinguished guests from China and Nigeria. The event will celebrate outstanding performance, cross-cultural exchange, and the strengthening of bilateral educational ties.
For enquiries and participation details, interested individuals are encouraged to contact New Horizons Nigeria via 08125541750
By Moliehi Molekoa, Managing Director of Magna Carta Reputation Management Consultants and PRISA Board Member
The start of a new year often brings optimism, new strategies, and renewed ambition. However, for the public relations and reputation management industry, the past year ended not only with optimism but also with hard-earned clarity.
Moliehi Molekoa
2025 was more than a challenging year. It was a reckoning and a stress test for operating models, procurement practices, and, most importantly, the foundation of client–agency partnerships. For the C-suite, this is not solely an agency issue.
The year revealed a more fundamental challenge: a partnership problem that, if left unaddressed, can easily erode the very reputations, trust, and resilience agencies are hired to protect. What has emerged is not disillusionment, but the need for a clearer understanding of where established ways of working no longer reflect the reality they are meant to support.
The uncomfortable truth we keep avoiding
Public relations agencies are businesses, not cost centres or expandable resources. They are not informal extensions of internal teams, lacking the protection, stability, or benefits those teams receive. They are businesses.
Yet, across markets, agencies are often expected to operate under conditions that would raise immediate concerns in any boardroom:
Unclear and constantly shifting scope
Short-term contracts paired with long-term expectations
Sixty-, ninety-, even 120-day payment terms
Procurement-led pricing pressure divorced from delivery realities
Pitch processes that consume months of senior talent time, often with no feedback, timelines, or accountability
If these conditions would concern you within your own organisation, they should also concern you regarding the partner responsible for your reputation.
Growth on paper, pressure in practice
On the surface, the industry appears healthy. Global market valuations continue to rise. Demand for reputation management, stakeholder engagement, crisis preparedness, and strategic counsel has never been higher.
However, beneath this top-line growth lies the uncomfortable reality: fewer than half of agencies expect meaningful profit growth, even as workloads increase and expectations rise.
This disconnect is significant. It indicates an industry being asked to deliver more across additional platforms, at greater speed, with deeper insight, and with higher risk exposure, all while absorbing increased commercial uncertainty.
For African agencies in particular, this pressure is intensified by factors such as volatile currencies, rising talent costs, fragile data infrastructure, and procurement models adopted from economies with fundamentally different conditions. This is not a complaint. It is reality.
This pressure is not one-sided. Many clients face constraints ranging from procurement mandates and short-term cost controls to internal capacity gaps, which increasingly shift responsibility outward. But pressure transfer is not the same as partnership, and left unmanaged, it creates long-term risk for both parties.
The pitching problem no one wants to own
Agencies are not anti-competition. Pitches sharpen thinking and drive excellence. What agencies increasingly challenge is how pitching is done.
Across markets, agencies participate in dozens of pitches each year, with success rates well below 20%. Senior leaders frequently invest unpaid hours, often with limited information, tight timelines, and evaluation criteria that prioritise cost over value.
And then, too often, dead silence, no feedback, no communication about delays, and a lack of decency in providing detailed feedback on the decision drivers.
In any other supplier relationship, this would not meet basic governance standards. In a profession built on intellectual capital, it suggests that expertise is undervalued.
This is also where independent pitch consultants become increasingly important and valuable if clients choose this route to help facilitate their pitch process. Their role in the process is not to advocate for agencies but to act as neutral custodians of fairness, realism, and governance. When used well, they help clients align ambition with timelines, scope, and budget, and ensure transparency and feedback that ultimately lead to better decision-making.
“More for less” is not a strategy
A particularly damaging expectation is the belief that agencies can sustainably deliver enterprise-level outcomes on limited budgets, often while dedicating nearly full-time senior resources. This is not efficiency. It is misalignment.
No executive would expect a business unit to thrive while under-resourced, overexposed, and cash-constrained. Yet agencies are often required to operate under these conditions while remaining accountable for outcomes that affect market confidence, stakeholder trust, and brand equity.
Here is a friendly reminder: reputation management is not a commodity. It is risk management.
It is value creation. It also requires investment that matches its significance.
A necessary reset
As leadership teams plan for growth, resilience, and relevance, there is both an opportunity and a responsibility to reset how agency partnerships are structured.
That reset looks like:
Contracts that balance flexibility and sustainability
Payment terms that reflect mutual dependency
Pitch processes that respect time, talent, and transparency for all parties
Scopes that align ambition with available budgets
Relationships based on professional parity rather than power imbalance
This reset also requires discipline on the agency side – clearer articulation of value, sharper scoping, and greater transparency about how senior expertise is deployed. Partnership is not protectionism; it is mutual accountability.
The Leadership Question That Matters
The question for the C-suite is quite simple:
If your agency mirrored your internal standards of governance, fairness, and accountability, would you still be comfortable with how the relationship is structured?
If the answer is no, then change is not only necessary but also strategic. Because strong brands are built on strong partnerships. Strong partnerships endure only when both sides are recognised, respected, and resourced as businesses in their own right.
The agencies that succeed and the brands that truly thrive will be those that recognise this early and act deliberately.
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