17th Global ELOY Conference Speaker Spotlight: Ayo Olojede, Divisional Head, Retail & SME Banking, Wema Bank
As we count down to the highly anticipated 17th Global ELOY Conference themed Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, we are shining a spotlight on the phenomenal women whose influence is shifting business and empowerment narratives across Africa. One of such dynamic leaders is Ayo Olojede, the Divisional Head of Retail and SME Banking at Wema Bank, home of Nigeria’s pioneering fully digital banking solutions, ALAT and ALAT for Business.
Ayo brings over 24 years of impact spanning North America and Africa, championing digital innovation, SME growth, and financial inclusion. Prior to joining Wema Bank, she led SME strategy execution across 12 African countries at Access Bank and excelled in transformative leadership roles at HSBC Canada. Her work has driven advancements in payments, ecosystem lending, embedded finance, and government-led financial inclusion initiatives that continue to unlock real opportunities for small businesses,especially women-led enterprises.
Ayo is also the author of ON SMEs: How Corporates Win with Emerging Businesses, a strategic guide that highlights the power of successful corporate–SME collaboration. She has been named among the Top 100 Career Women in Africa and serves on the Board of SMEFF, further demonstrating her commitment to women and business growth.
In this special interview feature, she opens up about her journey, breaking internal and external barriers, championing visibility for women, and her vision for the future of inclusive entrepreneurship in Africa.
We are honoured to welcome her as one of the esteemed speakers at this year’s conference, a gathering where bold women connect, collaborate, and create pathways for others to rise.
Personal Journey & Inspiration
EM: What inspired your journey into leadership, and how has your story shaped the work you do today?
Ayo Olojede (AO): My journey into leadership has been shaped by a consistent desire to create opportunities that enable others to thrive. Over the years, I have come to understand that leadership is not defined by position or hierarchy, but by influence, impact, and purpose.
One of my earliest leadership experiences came while leading a financial inclusion initiative focused on women traders in the informal sector. Seeing a small business owner expand from one kiosk to multiple outlets simply because she gained access to financial literacy and working capital remains one of my most rewarding experiences. It reinforced my belief that empowerment when combined with opportunity has a multiplier effect that transforms lives and communities. That belief continues to drive everything I do.
Breaking Barriers
EM: The theme of the 17th Global ELOY Conference is Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers. Can you share one barrier you had to overcome in your work, and how you did it?
AO: A significant barrier I have had to overcome is navigating spaces that were not always inclusive or accommodating of women’s voices. Early in my career, I found myself as one of few women in high-level strategic discussions. It took confidence, preparation, and consistent delivery of measurable results to earn the trust and credibility that opened more doors.
Over time, I also learned that many barriers begin internally, in the form of self-doubt. Once you overcome that and lead from a place of conviction and excellence, external limitations become easier to manage. For me, breaking barriers has never been about confrontation but about demonstrating capability so effectively that inclusion becomes a natural response.
- Industry & Impact
EM: In your opinion, what is the biggest opportunity for women in your industry today, and how can they position themselves to take advantage of it?
AO: The most significant opportunity for women in today’s business landscape lies at the intersection of entrepreneurship and digital transformation. The rise of the SME sector, coupled with the growing penetration of digital tools, provides women with unprecedented access to markets, capital, and knowledge.
Through initiatives like SARA by Wema and other SME-focused programs, we have seen firsthand how digital finance can change the trajectory of women-owned businesses. A young entrepreneur we supported in the fashion space, for instance, leveraged digital payments and e-commerce to expand her reach beyond Nigeria and double her turnover within months. These are the kinds of success stories that affirm the importance of inclusion, not just financial, but digital and structural inclusion that allows women to scale sustainably.
Visibility & Influence
EM: Visibility is a powerful currency in today’s world. How has visibility impacted your career or business, and what advice would you give women who want to be seen and heard?
AO: Visibility is a powerful enabler of growth and credibility. It is not about seeking attention but about ensuring that the value you create is seen and amplified in ways that inspire others. Over the years, professional visibility has opened doors for me from participating in thought-leadership forums to mentoring emerging leaders who are shaping their industries today.
My advice to women is simple: excellence attracts attention, but visibility sustains it. Be intentional about sharing your work, telling your story, and building a strong professional presence. In doing so, you not only advance your own career but also create pathways for others who are watching and learning from your example.
Future Vision
EM: If you could leave the audience with one call to action about building bridges and breaking barriers, what would it be?
AO: If I could leave one message with every woman, it would be this: progress is most meaningful when it is shared. Leadership is not a solo pursuit, it is about building bridges across generations, sectors, and communities.
The real transformation happens when we collaborate and ensure that the next generation of women start from a higher platform than we did. I have seen this play out through mentorship networks where one woman’s courage becomes another’s confidence. That is the future I envision , one where we don’t just break barriers, we build systems that make it easier for others to succeed.
Thank you.
Be in the room where internal and systemic barriers will be broken and bridges will be built on the 28th of November at the Lagos Oriental Hotel. Click here to register.
