In the realm of global technology and digital security, where innovation is relentless and trust is paramount, Kofo Akinkugbe, OON, stands as a pioneering force. She is not merely a participant in Africa’s technological ascent but a principal architect, building the very infrastructure upon which its digital future depends. As the Founder and Group Chief Executive of SecureID Group, her journey is a masterclass in vision, resilience, and an unshakeable belief in homegrown excellence.
Driven by a profound conviction that Africa’s transformation must be led from within, Akinkugbe embarked on an ambitious mission to establish Sub-Saharan Africa’s first certified smartcard manufacturing facility. Under her stewardship, SecureID Group has grown from a bold idea into a multi-subsidiary technology powerhouse, serving a prestigious clientele across 21 African nations in banking, telecommunications, and national identity management. The company’s certifications by global industry titans, including MasterCard, VISA, and GSMA, are not merely accolades; they are a testament to a Nigerian enterprise operating at the very pinnacle of international standards of quality and security.
Her leadership extends beyond the production floor into the future of digital finance and urban mobility. As Chairman of the group’s core divisions, she guides SID Digital, a fintech arm pioneering secure platforms for biometric identity and digital payments, and Transport Payment Solutions (TPS), which is revolutionising automated fare collection across the continent’s transit networks. This strategic foresight demonstrates a rare ability to not only meet the market’s current needs but to anticipate and build for its next evolution.
Akinkugbe’s formidable contributions to nation-building and industrial leadership have earned her the highest national recognitions. In 2022, she was conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and honoured with the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) by the Presidency for her transformative impact on manufacturing and digital payment advancement. Her counsel was further sought on the Presidential High-Level Advisory Council on Support to Women and Girls, shaping policies for inclusion and empowerment.
A graduate of the prestigious Owner/President Management programme at Harvard Business School, she lends her expertise to the boards of several leading corporations, including Cadbury Nigeria Plc. Yet, her commitment extends to the next generation of leaders. Through personal mentorship and the recently established Kofo Akinkugbe Foundation, she is dedicated to nurturing emerging African talent, particularly women and youth determined to innovate and lead.
Kofo Akinkugbe’s story is one of elegant tenacity. She embodies a unique synthesis of entrepreneurial daring, technical precision, and a deeply held philosophy that African potential, when given the right platform, can compete and excel on the world stage. She is not just building a company; she is building a legacy of trust, one secure transaction at a time.
