Seasoned finance executive and strategy expert, Oluwatoyin Aralepo, has been appointed Director of Finance, WAEMU & West Africa at the Mastercard Foundation, marking a significant leadership milestone in her over two-decade career of shaping financial strategy across Africa’s business landscape.
Renowned for her commercial acumen and strategic finance expertise, Aralepo brings to the role more than 20 years of experience in financial management, business consulting, investment strategy, and growth acceleration. Her professional journey spans key sectors including banking, telecommunications, and fintech, where she has worked closely with top-tier executives to drive financial transformation and sustainable growth.
At the Mastercard Foundation, she will oversee financial operations across West Africa and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) region, with a focus on strengthening financial structures that enable inclusive development and scalable impact.
“My passion lies in helping businesses and SMEs build profitable and sustainable structures,” says Aralepo, who is also the Founder of the Africa Finance & Strategy Hub, a strategy consultancy focused on equipping African SMEs with access to high-quality financial tools, planning models, and business intelligence.
Her core competencies include SME business modeling, financial planning for growth, fundraising support, and market entry strategy, all of which have made her a trusted advisor for entrepreneurs and corporate decision-makers across the continent.
This new appointment underscores the Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to driving inclusive economic growth through strong financial governance and regional insight.
Aralepo’s leadership is expected to further enhance the Foundation’s financial sustainability and mission to unlock opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs in Africa.
