In 2021, Open Banking in Nigeria was full of promise; a future where APIs would unlock financial data, power innovation, and expand access to credit. Fast forward to 2026, and that promise still feels just out of reach.
So what happened?
This talk offers a rare insider perspective on Nigeria’s Open Banking journey; from early standardisation efforts to the realities of implementation across banks and fintechs. Drawing from direct experience contributing to the Open Banking ecosystem and building lending infrastructure, Chigozie explores the structural, technical, and regulatory bottlenecks that have slowed progress.
More importantly, this session shifts the conversation forward.
Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the API infrastructure required to move Open Banking from theory to reality, including the role of standardisation, governance, developer experience, and ecosystem collaboration. The talk will also highlight what is changing today, and why Open Banking is now more likely to succeed than ever before.
This is not a theoretical overview. It is a grounded, experience-driven exploration of how APIs can unlock financial systems in emerging markets, and what it takes to make that future real.