Africa’s Starchitect Jumoke Adenowo exits Flutterwave board after two-year tenure

Olajumoke Adenowo, the celebrated Nigerian architect who made history as Flutterwave’s first independent non-executive board member, has stepped down from the fintech giant’s global Board of Directors.

The announcement came directly from Adenowo herself via a LinkedIn post, where she disclosed that she had resigned after “more than two years of service,” describing her time on the board as a privilege and highlighting her contributions to the company’s growth and expansion.

Described by CNN as “Africa’s Starchitect,” Adenowo is an architect with a successful career spanning over 35 years, a background that made her an unconventional but deliberate choice for a payments technology company seeking to drive its international expansion strategy.

Speaking at the time of her appointment, Flutterwave CEO and founder Olugbenga GB Agboola said her insights and strategic vision would be invaluable as the company continued to pursue innovative solutions and impactful change across Africa and beyond.

“I believe that Africa must evolve its own solutions. Flutterwave is tangible proof of this, with innovation that addresses Africa’s unique challenges,” Adenowo said upon joining.

Since joining Flutterwave’s Global Board of Directors in February 2024, Adenowo has been instrumental in the company’s international growth. During her tenure, Flutterwave expanded its operations into key global markets, including the Middle East and Europe. In 2025, Flutterwave also unlocked new revenue streams through partnerships with East Asian companies, contributing to a total processing value estimated at nearly $1 billion.

Beyond Flutterwave

Adenowo’s credentials went well beyond architecture. Through her latest book, Neo Heritage: Defining Contemporary African Architecture, she became the first African and first Black architect published by Rizzoli. Her career is marked by honours, including the 2020 Forbes Woman Africa Entrepreneur of the Year Award, two US Congressional recognitions for leadership and philanthropy, and a spot on the 2024 Forbes ’50 Over 50′ list for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Just months before her departure, she was celebrated globally when Flutterwave announced that Adenowo had been featured in the prestigious Edelman Longevity Labs’ Power of 55 list as Africa’s sole representative.

Adenowo’s exit comes as Flutterwave navigates a period of significant corporate activity. The company recently acquired Nigerian open banking startup Mono in an all-stock deal valued between $25 million and $40 million.

The reasons for Adenowo’s departure have not been publicly disclosed, and neither Flutterwave nor Adenowo have issued detailed statements at the time of writing.

As the company pursues its next phase, rumoured to include an eventual public listing, the board seat she occupied will be closely watched to see who, if anyone, fills it.

Last updated: March 17, 2026