Maclayton: Building Trust Drives Innovation in Africa’s Digital Economy

Ibifaa Maclayton is a fintech and commercial strategy leader passionate about solving real-world problems with technology. Her journey began with a curiosity for how tech can improve lives, leading her to roles that connect product innovation with business growth. She has helped bring digital tools to market by aligning product design with local needs, working closely with engineers, founders, and regulators. Over the years she has focused on building payment systems that are inclusive, trusted, and easy to use, especially for underserved communities. She is also a strong advocate for women in tech leading with authenticity, supports emerging talent, and uses her platform to mentor and share knowledge. As her work continues to shape Africa’s digital economy by making innovation more accessible and impactful she stressed that building trust in the industry and ecosystem will drive innovation in Africa’s digital economy. Oluchi Chibuzor presents the excerpts.

What’s the biggest barrier to mobile money adoption in Nigeria and navigating payment innovation in Nigeria?

One of the biggest barriers is trust, not just in the technology itself, but in the ecosystem around it. Many consumers still fear failed transactions, lack of recourse, or being locked out of their money due to network issues or system downtime. Beyond that, there’s also a digital literacy gap that limits the confidence people have in navigating these platforms.

What strategies have been most effective in building trust among Nigerian consumers?

For me, trust is earned through three things: transparency, reliability, and education. Providers that invest in real-time support, clear communication during service interruptions, and user-friendly onboarding processes tend to win over customers faster. I’ve seen success where digital payment companies embed themselves into communities, working with agents, local businesses, and even informal groups to demystify the product and show its value in everyday life.

With Nigeria’s informal economy still heavily reliant on cash, how do you see digital payment providers bridging the gap between traditional and modern financial systems?

The solution lies in meeting people where they are, not asking them to leap too far, too fast. This means integrating digital payments into existing informal structures like markets, cooperatives, and agent networks, and ensuring people can easily move between cash and digital value. That’s why we’ve seen success through partnerships with local agents, SMEs, and informal traders who act as bridges between the digital and traditional world.

Beyond USSD, QR, and POS, there are other effective payment methods making this transition possible, like Mobile money wallets like Paga, OPay, and MTN MoMo help unbanked individuals store and move money without a formal bank account. Instant bank transfers (NIP) are widely used by the banked population, especially for small businesses and e-commerce. Then we have Agent banking that brings digital tools to people physically, allowing individuals to deposit or withdraw cash and access digital services.
Each of these payment methods plays a role in creating a layered, inclusive payment ecosystem. When digital payment providers adapt to existing behaviors instead of replacing them entirely, adoption happens more naturally and more sustainably.

Concerning optimizing payment systems in Africa, what innovations will reshape cross-border payments in the next five years?

Infrastructure-level innovation, like PAPSS, which allows instant, local currency settlements across African borders, will reduce reliance on USD and lower costs. Open banking will help fintechs build connected services using real-time data. And stablecoins offer fast, affordable value transfers, bypassing FX bottlenecks. The real win is building tools with Africa’s context in mind.

What role do partnerships play in cross-border payment experiences?

Partnerships are essential. Banks provide regulatory trust and infrastructure; fintechs bring innovation and speed. Together, they create inclusive payment systems. Multicurrency virtual accounts are one example, allowing businesses to receive payments in foreign currencies while operating locally. But without solid on-ground partnerships, they risk being disconnected from market realities.

How have multicurrency virtual accounts empowered African businesses?

They’ve opened global trade for small businesses, freelancers, exporters, and remote teams, who can now receive, hold, and reinvest payments in major currencies. This eliminates delays, improves FX rates, and boosts credibility. But to scale impact, we need infrastructure that connects innovation with local realities, not just copies Western models.

Which emerging tech will drive cross-border payment evolution?

Real-time settlement systems like PAPSS and NIP reduce dependence on third parties. AI is key for fraud detection, compliance, and smarter FX management. Blockchain and stablecoins are cutting through delays. But the real opportunity lies in interoperability, building systems that work together for affordability, speed, and trust.

Now on women in tech and seizing opportunities you’ve been advocating for the importance of confidence and authenticity for women in tech. What personal experiences shaped your perspective on this?

Confidence wasn’t something I was taught; I had to build it from navigating rooms where I was often the youngest, the only woman, or the one with the “non-technical” background. I learned early that being authentic, showing up with clarity, empathy, and value, opened more doors than trying to fit a mould. When women see that they don’t need to dilute themselves to lead, they start taking bolder steps, and that’s powerful.

Female founders often face underfunding compared to their male counterparts. How can we close the funding gap for female founders?

Three things: Access, networks, and capital. We need more female-led funds and targeted platforms that spotlight women. But most importantly, investors need to trust women’s ability to lead, fail, and scale. It’s about changing perception, not just writing cheques.

What has been your experience as a female tech leader?

Rewarding, but not without resistance. I’ve had to prove myself repeatedly, not because of results, but because I didn’t fit the expected mold. But that difference became an advantage. It helps me lead with emotional intelligence and impact, and show others what’s possible by simply showing up and delivering consistently.

As a female leader in Tech, how are you helping other women rise?

I’ve had to challenge imposter syndrome, unequal pay, and assumptions about what I could or couldn’t do. Systemically, I’ve seen how access to capital or senior decision-making rooms isn’t always merit-based. That’s why I’m intentional about mentoring women, recommending them for roles, and using platforms, whether in speaking engagements or internal forums, to share knowledge that would otherwise stay gatekept

We understand that curiosity led you to study management and computing where you became fascinated by how technology bridges gaps in society. How true is this and can you share your early life and journey into tech sales?

I grew up in a modest home where resources were never limited by ambition. From a young age, I loved solving problems, especially ones that made life easier for others.

Though I didn’t set out to work in tech sales, I was drawn to roles that turned ideas into real-world impact. I naturally gravitated toward commercial roles, helping teams align product design with market needs and working alongside engineers, founders, and regulators to bring digital tools to life.

I’ve been privileged to learn from leaders like Chinenye Agwu (Flutterwave), Nnanna Enyi (Amazon UK), Mitchell Elegbe (Interswitch), and others who value clarity, courage, and execution. They stretched my thinking and opened doors, often when I wasn’t the loudest voice in the room. My path has been driven by building trust, supporting transformative solutions, and helping businesses grow from survival to scale.

Advice for young women entering fintech?

Start before you feel ready. Be curious, not perfect. Learn the business side of tech and find communities. Mentors are helpful, but sponsors, people who advocate for you in rooms you’re not in, are game-changers.