About
Operational leader and ecosystem builder with over a decade of experience in banking, blockchain, and fintech. Proven expertise in launching and scaling mission-driven ventures, with a focus on financial inclusion, decentralized technology, and strategic storytelling.
Work
Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
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Summary
Leading Tradepal AI to build compliance infrastructure for the digital assets market in Africa.
Highlights
Appointed CEO in January 2026, spearheading platform architecture for compliance, growth, and innovation in digital assets. ([linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/deborah-ojengbede_im-happy-to-share-that-im-starting-a-new-activity-7415414272589307904-nhJJ?utm_source=openai))
Abba (Strategy Agency)
|Director
Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
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Summary
Director at Abba, a strategy agency specializing in redemptive storytelling for visionary founders and advising high-net-worth individuals.
Highlights
Empowering visionary founders to articulate future visions through impactful redemptive storytelling. Provide strategic advisory services to High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) and Ultra-HNIs, guiding their investment and legacy planning.
Lagos, Nigeria
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Summary
Spearheaded the end-to-end development of Pouch Finance's core blockchain products and services. Provide critical data-driven advisory services to the management team, informing strategic blockchain initiatives and product roadmaps. Manage and align cross-functional teams, optimizing collaboration to achieve organizational goals and project milestones. Contributed to securing $200,000 in funding for infrastructure development, enhancing operational capabilities.
Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
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Summary
Led strategic direction and operations for AFEN Blockchain Network, building one of the first community-led Web3 platforms in Africa and driving significant innovation and fundraising.
Highlights
Led AFEN’s fundraising and tokenomics oversight, securing $1M in funding through successful seed and tokenized offerings
Led strategic government engagement efforts on behalf of AFEN Group, culminating in an official endorsement from the Office of the Governor of Plateau State, issued through the Plateau State Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (PICTDA)
Architected and launched one of Africa's first award-winning NFT Markeplaces, driving early adoption and engagement across the continent.
Drove significant blockchain innovation by leading a diverse portfolio of projects, converting high-potential ideas into viable products.
Obtained licensing to promote the digitization of Plateau State's tourism sector, directly aligning AFEN's blockchain and smart tourism initiatives with the state's broader digital transformation agenda.
These accreditations establish AFEN as one of the few blockchain-native companies in Nigeria with formal government backing, strengthening credibility for future partnerships and institutional engagements.
Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
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Summary
Led the Alpher Women Banking initiative from inception, driving research, value proposition design, and implementation across multiple states.
Highlights
Led the Alpher Women Banking initiative from the ground up and my work helped Union Bank to raise $200million in funding.
Executed nationwide in-depth research and focus sessions, directly informing the successful development and launch of the program.
Designed and delivered a compelling value proposition with tailored, segmented solutions, effectively addressing the unique needs of women customers.
Developed comprehensive implementation frameworks, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and multi-state rollout plans, ensuring program scalability.
Orchestrated numerous activations, events, and training sessions for frontline staff, enhancing effective implementation and customer engagement.
Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
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Summary
Managed the nationwide fit-out and activation of Union Bank Elite Lounges, fostering business relationships and organizing events to drive growth.
Highlights
Directed the nationwide fit-out and activation of Union Bank Elite Lounges, enhancing client experience and brand presence.
Cultivated strategic business relationships across the country, significantly contributing to partnership development and business growth.
Orchestrated monthly events and lifestyle activations, boosting awareness for Union Bank Elite & HNI Banking propositions.
Delivered targeted training sessions, improving the skills and knowledge of frontline staff for enhanced service delivery.
Skills
Startup Operations
Early-Stage Ventures, Scaling Operations, Product Pipeline Development, Community Building, Partnership Development, Go-to-Market Strategy.
Government Relations
Proven track record securing formal government endorsements and regulatory accreditations for blockchain and digital asset companies in Nigeria, including engagements with the SEC, NITDA, and NRS. Active participant and speaker at government-led policy events, including the National Blockchain Policy stakeholders dialogue.
Blockchain & Web3
Tokenomics, Blockchain Technology, Web3 Platforms, Decentralized Monetary Systems, Crypto Industry, NFTs, DeFi.
Project Management
Project Delivery, Cross-functional Team Management, Program Management, Rollout Planning, Process Optimization.
Communication & Advocacy
Stakeholder Management, Thought Leadership, Public Speaking, Policy Advocacy, Redemptive Storytelling.
Business Development & Strategy
Fundraising, Strategic Partnerships, Market Research, Value Proposition Design, Implementation Frameworks, KPI Development, Business Engagements, Corporate Strategy.
Advisory Services
Data-driven Insights, Strategic Recommendations, HNI Advisory.
Leadership
Strategic Direction, Team & Ecosystem Building, Visionary Leadership.
Financial Inclusion
Underserved Communities, Financial Services Redesign, Global Inclusion, Impact-driven Initiatives.