Oluwatobi Oladapo: Transforming Africa’s Financial Landscape with myCircle’s Community-Driven Approach

By Seun Emmanuel

We have recently seen the changes happening in the African technology space, one of such is myCircle, myCircle is standing out for all the right reasons. It’s not just another financial platform, it’s a place where finance meets community. At the heart of this transformation is Oluwatobi Oladapo, Head of Product, whose clear vision and hands-on leadership have
turned myCircle into a thriving, user-focused platform. Thanks to his leadership, people across Africa are discovering new ways to save, spend, and collaborate financially, unlocking opportunities that empower individuals and communities alike.

From Concept to Community-Driven Financial Platform, Oluwatobi started with a clear, simple ambition: to build something that wasn’t just a financial
tool but a platform that connected people. His goal? To help users take charge of their finances while being part of strong, supportive communities. As Head of Product, Oluwatobi shaped a strategy that turned myCircle from an idea into an
ecosystem of collaboration. At its core is the idea of “circles”, groups where people come together to pool savings and support each other financially. It’s not just about saving money.
It’s about building connections and creating a shared experience that keeps users engaged and loyal.

Early Success and a Growing Challenge
When Oluwatobi joined myCircle, the focus was on social savings, and it paid off quickly. By the end of 2023/kick off 2024, the platform had over 10,000 active users and generated
N75 million in revenue. This success came from understanding what users needed: a simple way to save, easy access to tools, and a touch of social connection. But success also brought challenges. Rising inflation and the growing cost of living across
Africa made it harder for users to save as most of their income went toward essentials. Oluwatobi saw this struggle and knew they needed a solution that was flexible, easy, and realistic for users dealing with daily financial pressures.

Filling the Gap: Introducing SPEND & SAVE
Oluwatobi’s ability to spot gaps and respond with the right solution led to the creation of SPEND & SAVE. He realized that for many people, saving money felt impossible. So, why
not make saving a natural part of everyday life? SPEND & SAVE does just that. Users shop with top e-commerce partners, and a percentage of their spending is automatically saved. No extra effort. No change in habits.
Just savings that happen effortlessly in the background. This game-changing approach not
only fills a crucial market gap but also resonates deeply with users grappling with inflation and financial pressures.
The impact was immediate. SPEND & SAVE drove a 42% increase in users, helping myCircle scale quickly. What began as a social savings tool had now evolved into a full financial ecosystem, one that made saving and spending practical and social at the same
time. It also opened new doors for partnerships with businesses and e-commerce platforms, expanding myCircle’s impact even further. This move also marks the launch of myCircle’s B2B services, opening the door for partnerships with businesses and e-commerce platforms,
and further expanding its reach across different sectors of the economy.

Scaling with Purpose: Building a Sustainable, Inclusive Financial Future
Oladapo’s leadership ensures that myCircle evolves to meet Africa’s dynamic financial needs. The SPEND & SAVE feature is just one example of his broader vision: to make financial services inclusive, adaptable, and impactful for a diverse user base.
By merging innovative tools with a strong sense of community, myCircle has become more than a platform, it’s a tool for financial empowerment. Oladapo’s ability to identify market
gaps, listen to user feedback, and deliver practical solutions positions myCircle as a rising leader in Africa’s fintech space.

A Bright Future Ahead: myCircle’s Ongoing Evolution Looking forward, Oluwatobi is focused on scaling myCircle to meet the needs of Africa’s
young, digitally-savvy population. With over 75% of Africa’s population under 35, financial technology has a huge role to play in empowering the continent’s future. Oladapo’s
leadership ensures that myCircle continues to evolve alongside this dynamic demographic, creating products and features that meet their changing financial needs.

By combining e-commerce, savings, and social features, myCircle is leading the charge in Africa’s digital transformation. As it grows into new markets and expands its services,
Oluwatobi’s vision remains clear: to build a platform where financial freedom, community support, and opportunity come together to create lasting change across Africa.

Conclusion: Leading the Charge for Financial Inclusion Oluwatobi Oladapo’s work at myCircle is a powerful example of how the right mix of innovation and leadership can transform financial services. By solving real problems with practical solutions, he’s helping people save, spend, and grow together, effortlessly.
Features like SPEND & SAVE show that financial habits don’t need to be complicated. With the right tools and a sense of community, saving and collaboration can go hand-in-hand.
Oluwatobi has turned myCircle into one of Africa’s most exciting fintech platforms, and this is just the beginning.

As the platform continues to grow, evolve, and empower people, myCircle’s story—and Oluwatobi’s leadership—show what’s possible when finance meets community.
Oluwatobi Oladapo is a dedicated technology expert with a wealth of experience in driving innovation and leading cross-functional teams. Over the years, he has developed a strong
track record working with both early-stage startups and well-established companies, across a variety of industries in the B2B and B2C sectors. His expertise spans product strategy,
development, and scaling, with a passion for fostering growth, creating impactful solutions, and mentoring the next generation of tech leaders.