When discussions turn to African fintech success stories, the spotlight often falls on payments companies racing to process billions of dollars in transactions. Yet one of the continent’s most influential financial technology businesses was built around a quieter idea: helping people save money consistently.
That idea transformed into PiggyVest, one of Nigeria’s largest digital savings and investment platforms, and at the centre of that journey is Odun Eweniyi.
For her role in reshaping savings culture, championing financial inclusion and building businesses that extend beyond fintech, The Project Herald names Odun Eweniyi among Africa’s Founders to Watch in 2026.
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From Computer Engineering Graduate to Startup Founder
Odun Eweniyi graduated with a first-class degree in Computer Engineering from Covenant University in 2013. Shortly after graduation, she co-founded PushCV alongside Somto Ifezue and Joshua Chibueze, seeking to solve hiring challenges by connecting employers with pre-screened candidates.
Although PushCV gained traction, the founding team would later identify another problem affecting millions of Nigerians—saving money consistently.
The inspiration reportedly came from a viral social media post showing a woman who had saved ₦1,000 daily in a wooden savings box for an entire year. The image sparked an idea.
In 2016, the trio launched Piggybank.ng, which later evolved into PiggyVest, with the goal of making disciplined savings easier through technology.
Building a Savings Culture for Millions
What distinguishes PiggyVest from many African fintech startups is its focus on behaviour rather than transactions.
At a time when most financial technology firms concentrated on moving money, PiggyVest encouraged Nigerians to keep money.
Ten years after launch, the company says it serves millions of users and has become one of the continent’s most recognisable consumer fintech brands.
Speaking during PiggyVest’s tenth anniversary celebrations in 2026, Eweniyi reflected on the company’s beginnings and the trust users placed in a team of founders who were still in their twenties.
“Nine million customers later, I think the bet paid off,” she said during her keynote speech at the anniversary gala.
More Than a Fintech Executive
Eweniyi’s influence extends beyond PiggyVest.
She is a co-founder of the Feminist Coalition, a civic organisation that gained international attention during Nigeria’s EndSARS protests in 2020.
She is also a founding partner at FirstCheck Africa, an investment fund backing female-led startups across the continent.
Her contributions to entrepreneurship and technology have earned recognition from Forbes Africa, Bloomberg and Time Magazine.
She was included in Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list, named among Bloomberg’s 50 Most Influential figures in 2020 and was recognised in the Time100 Next list in 2021 for her role in social impact initiatives.
Why We Are Watching Odun Eweniyi in 2026
Africa’s startup ecosystem is becoming more competitive, and founders are increasingly expected to do more than launch products.
They are expected to build enduring institutions.
PiggyVest recently marked ten years in operation and has indicated ambitions to become what it describes as the “financial operating system of the Nigerian household.”
At the same time, Eweniyi continues to advocate for women in technology, support emerging entrepreneurs and participate in conversations around financial literacy and economic resilience.
For The Project Herald, the question is no longer whether Odun Eweniyi has built a successful startup.
The more compelling question is what she builds next.
If the first decade of PiggyVest was about helping millions of Nigerians save, the next decade may determine whether one of Africa’s most visible female founders can help shape the future of inclusive finance across the continent.
The Project Herald Assessment
Innovation: ★★★★★
Influence: ★★★★★
Execution: ★★★★★
Public Visibility: ★★★★★
Future Potential: ★★★★★
Quick Facts
Age: 31
Nationality: Nigerian
Education: Covenant University
Company: PiggyVest
Position: Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer
Other Ventures: FirstCheck Africa, Feminist Coalition, PushCV
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