To celebrate the 20 reliable and value-driven business leaders of Automated Payment gateway platform, Chioma Kachi Ewelike sat with the professional par excellence in person of Benjamin Oyemonlan, Managing Director of Platnova, to discuss his journey in becoming a business icon.

Tell us about yourself and what inspired the creation of Platnova, and how that vision has evolved over time?

I’m Benjamin Oyemonlan, a tech entrepreneur passionate about solving real financial problems across emerging markets. The idea for Platnova came from personal experience—seeing how difficult it was to move money, make payments, or access global financial tools across borders. I wanted to build something that made money movement as easy as messaging a friend.

Platnova started as a small idea to simplify global payments, but it’s grown into an all-in-one money and lifestyle app that helps individuals and businesses send, spend, and manage money globally. Over time, our vision evolved from just payments to building a full ecosystem that connects finance, lifestyle, and technology into one seamless experience.

What do you believe sets Platnova apart from other payment technology companies on the continent?

We’re not just another fintech or wallet — Platnova is an ecosystem. What sets us apart is our ability to combine financial services with lifestyle offerings in one platform. From USD virtual accounts and cards to crypto swaps, currency conversions, global bill payments, flight and hotel bookings — we’ve built an app that reflects how people actually live and move money today.

Our strength also lies in our partnerships. We work with licensed banks, PSPs, and technology providers across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring every transaction is secure, compliant, and fast.

What are the biggest lessons you have learned as a fintech leader in an emerging market?

Three lessons stand out. First, innovation must meet regulation — balancing creativity with compliance is key. Second, users value trust more than speed; once people trust your platform, growth becomes organic. And third, no market is the same. Each country comes with its own payment behaviors, so you must listen, adapt, and localize without losing your core identity.

How does Platnova ensure security and compliance while delivering a seamless payment experience?

Security and compliance are at the heart of everything we do. Platnova is licensed and regulated through key partners and approvals, including FCCPC, FMLL, and collaborations with CBN-licensed PSPs and banks. We’ve also obtained NDPR and ISO certifications, which demonstrate our commitment to data protection and operational excellence.

Beyond licensing, we use advanced KYC, AML screening, transaction monitoring, and fraud detection tools powered by AI — all integrated seamlessly so users never feel the friction.

How does Platnova tailor its payment solutions for SMEs versus large enterprises?

For SMEs, we focus on simplicity and speed — easy onboarding, instant accounts, and virtual cards that help them start transacting globally without barriers. For large enterprises, we offer more structured integrations, API access, dedicated dashboards, higher transaction limits, and multi-currency management tools.

We understand that small businesses need agility, while larger ones need control and scalability — Platnova delivers both.

How does Platnova’s payment infrastructure support businesses operating across multiple African countries and currencies?

Our infrastructure is built to bridge fragmented markets. Platnova connects multiple payment rails — bank transfers, cards, mobile money, crypto, and USSD — across currencies like NGN, USD, GBP, EUR, GHS, and KES.

This means a business in Lagos can pay a supplier in Nairobi or Accra in minutes, without worrying about exchange delays or high fees. We make cross-border payments feel local.

How do you view the current state of digital payments in Africa, and where do you see the biggest opportunities?

Africa is at an inflection point. The adoption of digital payments is accelerating, but fragmentation still limits scale. The biggest opportunities lie in interoperability — connecting wallets, banks, and payment systems across borders.

I also see huge potential in lifestyle-driven fintech — combining payments with travel, entertainment, and everyday life. That’s the space Platnova is leading. The next decade belongs to platforms that make finance part of life, not separate from it.