By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The financial technology (fintech) space in Africa is getting disrupted with the introduction of a payments product called PayDay designed by a software engineer and entrepreneur, Mr Favour Ori.
The expert is keen on building and shipping innovative products geared toward simplifying, automating, and generally improving lives in Africa.
In 2016, he relocated to the United States to study Computer and Information Sciences at Southern Arkansas University. Since then, he has worked with the likes of Turing, GO, ABiTNetwork, CultureBase PBC, Saint Louis University, and Oklahoma State University.
The entrepreneur has spoken at several international conferences like the NCHC Conference in Atlanta, the United Nations Youth Assembly in New York, the YCBS Conference in Atlanta, and 1MillionCups in Tulsa.
In 2018, prior to founding TalentMatch, he launched an IBM-backed non-profit called FavCode54, which aimed at empowering Africans and helping them launch their tech careers. IBM provided resources valued at $90 million to enable beneficiaries of FavCode54 to learn and deploy real-world cloud products.
In 2020, Mr Ori launched and sold College Situation and Tugure to ABiTNetwork. College Situation connects African students in Africa to renowned institutions, scholarship opportunities and fellowship programs in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and many other countries outside the African continent. On the other hand, Tugure allows Rwandese to trade new and fairly used items easily and securely.
During the coronavirus pandemic last year, he was inspired to build WeJapa, a talent matching platform to help experienced software developers secure foreign jobs.
He partnered with companies like IREMBO, Quorum Control GmBH, and ABiTNetwork to recruit and the young entrepreneur is working tirelessly with his team at TalentMatch to ensure accessibility of employment in technology on the African continent with PayDay, which they believe is the fastest and most efficient way for technology talent and creatives throughout the African continent to receive payments from their global or foreign clients within minutes, all on their mobile phones or personal computers.
PayDay is a product by TalentMatch, with team members including Dr Rex Idaminabo (co-founder), Chidi Nwaogu (co-founder), and many other competent African talents. Together, they are working to facilitate cross-border payments in Africa.
TalentMatch has raised over $100,000 in funding; $50,000 in pre-seed funding and $50,000 from angel investors. Though, TalentMatch, which will be joining a Canadian accelerator and will be setting up its headquarters there, is still seeking to raise a seed round of $1 million in the following months.
Adedapo Adesanya