



Successful CEOs are those who have the ability to inspire and motivate others, to build strong teams, and to lead by example.
- Cyril Ramaphosa
In2025,KemiOkusanyaemergedasatransformativeforceinthecorporateworld,earningrecognition
asoneofthemostinfluentialBlackcorporateleaders.AstheCEOofHydrogenPaymentServices CompanyLimited,sheisreshapingthefinanciallandscapewithaboldvisionforimprovingfinancial accessibilityacrossAfrica.Underherleadership,Hydrogenhasgrownintoakeyplayerinthepayments sector,enablingseamlesstransactionsforbusinessesandindividualswhilepromotinggreatereconomic inclusion.
Kemi’scommitmenttoharnessingtechnologyforsocialgoodhasledtoinnovativesolutionsthatbridgethe gapbetweentheunderservedandthedigitaleconomy.Byintegratingcutting-edgepaymentsystems,shehas madeitpossibleforpeopleinremoteareastoaccessvitalfinancialservices,therebyempowering entrepreneursandconsumersalike.Herleadershipnotonlydrivesbusinessgrowthbutalsocontributesto economicdevelopmentonalargerscale.
WhatsetsKemiapartisherabilitytobalancetechnologicaladvancementwithempathy.Sheseesthefinancial challengesfacingunderservedcommunitiesandworkstirelesslytocreatesolutionsthatarebothpracticaland scalable.Herunwaveringfocusonfinancialinclusionhassolidifiedherpositionasatruepioneerinthe corporateworld.
Aswemovethrough2025,KemiOkusanya’sinfluencecontinuestogrow,inspiringanewwaveofcorporate leaderstoprioritizeinnovation,inclusivity,andcommunityempowerment.Herstoryisatestamenttothe powerofvisionaryleadershipanditspotentialtocreatelastingchangesinindustriesandsociety
-AlayaBrown
16. 20.
F E A T U R I N G
Kemi Okusanya
Transforming Transactions
A R T I C L E S
How Leadership Approaches Redefining Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace Why Transformational Leaders Are Essential for Sustainable Business Growth in 2025 and Beyond
Kemi Okusanya CEO, Hydrogen Payment
Thechallengeofaccessingreliablepaymentsystems canhindereconomicgrowthandlimitopportunities forcountlessindividualsandbusinesses.
Inmanyregions,outdatedfinancialinfrastructurescreate barriersthatstifleinnovationandprogress.Yet,one visionaryleaderisbreakingdowntheseobstaclesand reshapingthepaymentlandscapeacrossAfrica.
KemiOkusanya,theCEOofHydrogenPayment ServicesCompanyLimited,isatthehelmofthis transformation.Withamissiontosimplifypaymentsfor businessesandgovernmentsalike,shehasdedicatedher careertoensuringthatfinancialtransactionsareseamless andaccessible.Underherleadership,Hydrogenhasevolved fromaboldideaintoathrivingenterprise,processing transactionsforawiderangeofmerchantsandpartnering withnumerousfinancialinstitutions.
Kemi’sjourneyisfueledbyherdeepunderstandingofthe vitalrolepaymentsplayineconomicdevelopment.She believesthateverytransactionisanopportunitytofoster growthandconnectivitywithincommunities.By prioritizingaccessibilityandinnovation,shehaspositioned Hydrogenasakeyplayerinenhancingfinancialinclusivity acrossthecontinent.
Herapproachcombinescutting-edgetechnologywitha humantouch,ensuringthateventhemostunderserved populationscanparticipateinthedigitaleconomy.Kemi’s commitmenttoempoweringbusinessesandindividuals alikeresonatesdeeplywithinthecommunitiessheserves. AsshecontinuestoleadHydrogenintonewterritories,her visionforamoreconnectedandfinanciallyinclusiveAfrica becomesincreasinglytangible.
Let’s know more about her journey:
KemiOkusanyaleadsHydrogenPaymentServices,a technologycompanydedicatedtosimplifyingpaymentsand technologyaccessforbusinesses,governmentsand individuals.OperatingindependentlywithintheAccess Holdingsgroup,Hydrogencollaborateswithvarious institutions,includingAccessBank,toprovide comprehensivemerchantservices.Theseservices encompasscollectionsolutionsandvalue-addedofferings thatenhancethepaymentvaluechainacrossNigeriaand soon,Africa.
Kemi'smotivationstemsfromherbeliefthatpaymentsare essentialtoeconomicvitality,akintooxygenforlife.She findsthepaymentssectorexhilaratingduetoitsuniversal relevance,asittoucheseveryindustryandtransaction.
Kemiisdrivenbytheknowledgethatherworkcontributes significantlytotheinfrastructurethatfuelseconomies, makingherroleinthisdynamicfieldbothimpactfuland fulfilling.HervisionalignswithHydrogen’sambitionto becomeAfrica'sleadingpaymentnetwork,supporting economicempowermentacrossthecontinent.
HydrogenPaymentServiceshasaninspiringinception storyrootedincollaborationandvision.Theideaoriginated amongkeystakeholdersatAccessHoldings,who envisionedsimplifyingpaymentsforbusinessesand individuals.Kemijoinedtheteamin2022totransformthis conceptintoreality,startingfromscratchwithoutany existingoperations.
Underherleadership,Hydrogendevelopedinnovative solutionsandforgedessentialpartnershipswithinthe industry Asignificantmilestoneoccurredwhenthe companyprocesseditsfirsttransactiononitsswitch, markingthebeginningofitsoperationaljourney.
BySeptember2022,Hydrogensecureditslicensefromthe CentralBankofNigeria,officiallycommencingoperations. Sincethen,thecompanyhasexpandedrapidly,forging strongpartnershipswith11top-tierfinancialinstitutions andestablishingarobustnetworkthatsupportsbusinesses acrossthecountry Whatbeganasavisionarydreamhas evolvedintoathrivingbusinesspoisedtorevolutionize paymentsacrossAfrica.
HydrogenPaymentServicesisdedicatedtosimplifying paymentsforbusinesses,governments,andindividuals throughoutAfrica.Recognizingthechallengesposedby fragmentedpaymentsystems,thecompanyaimstoprovide seamlessandinteroperablesolutions.
Kemiemphasizesthatthismissionguideseverydecision madeasaleader.Sheinsiststhatifathree-year-oldcannot navigatetheirsolutions,theyhavefailed.Thisprincipleof simplicityisembeddedinallprocessesandproducts,
ensuringaccessibilityforusers.Byprioritizinguser-
friendlydesigns,Hydrogenstrivestomakepayment solutionsintuitiveandstraightforward,ultimately enhancingtheoverallexperienceforitsdiverseclientele acrossthecontinent.
OneofthestandoutinitiativesatHydrogenPayment Servicesisitsinnovativeswitchplatform,designedto facilitateseamlessmoneytransfersbetweenfinancial institutions.Initially,thecompanyfacedchallengeswithan off-the-shelfsolutionthatresultedindatareconciliation issuesandinefficiencies.Ratherthanpersistwithafailing system,KemiOkusanyaandherteamtooktheboldstepto developanin-housesolution,achievingafunctional platformwithinjusttwotothreemonths.
WhatdistinguishesHydrogen'sswitchisitscustomization forvariousfinancialinstitutions,particularlythose grapplingwithcashflowchallenges.Theplatformenables real-timesettlementandreconciliation,significantly improvingoperationalefficiencyformanyclients.Tailored settlementreportsfurthersimplifyprocessesforusers.
Today,HydrogenstandsasNigeria'ssecond-largestswitch providerandplanstoexpanditsservicesbeyondnational borders.Kemitakesimmenseprideintheplatform'simpact onthefinanciallandscape,empoweringinstitutionsto manageliquidityeffectivelyandenhancingtheoverall paymentsecosystemacrossAfrica.
Kemioffersvaluableadvicetoaspiringleaders,particularly womenandpeopleofcolor,emphasizingthatself-doubtis theonlytruebarriertosuccess.Shelikensthejourneytoa boxingmatch,wherementalpreparationiscrucialfor victory.Successbeginswithapositivemindsetand unwaveringself-belief.
Kemiencouragesindividualsnottolettheirgender,race,or externalcircumstanceshindertheirambitions.Instead,they shouldfocusonrecognizingtheirworthandcapabilities. Byinternalizingthebeliefthattheycanexcel,aspiring leaderscanovercomechallengesandbreakthrough barriers.
Shestressesthatsuccessisapersonaljourney;individuals havethepowertoshapetheirdestinies.Herinsightsinspire otherstoembracetheirpotentialandpursuetheirgoalswith confidence,reinforcingtheideathatdeterminationandself-
empowermentarekeytomakingamarkinthecorporate world.
KemienvisionsafutureforpaymentsinAfrica characterizedbyintegrationandunity.Currently,the continent'spaymentsystemsarefragmented,witheach countryrelyingonitsdominantmethodssuchasOrange MoneyinIvoryCoast,M-PESAinKenya,andbank transfersinNigeria.Thisfragmentationcomplicates cross-bordertransactionsandhinderseconomicgrowth.
HydrogenPaymentServicesaimstoaddressthese challengesbydevelopingplatformsthatpromote interoperabilityamongvariouspaymentmethodsacross Africannations.Kemibelievesthatcreatingaunified paymentsystemwilleliminatebarriers,allowingseamless transactionsregardlessoflocation.Thisinitiativenotonly facilitatestradebutalsoempowerssmallmerchantsto broadentheircustomerbasesanddiversifyrevenuestreams, ultimatelyenhancingfinancialstability
Therippleeffectofthistransformationextendstolocal communities,asincreasedfinancialfluidityleadstobetter opportunitiesforfamiliesandbusinesses.Hydrogenis committedtospearheadingthischange,positioningitselfat theforefrontofAfrica'sevolvingpaymentslandscapeand contributingsignificantlytothecontinent'seconomic empowerment.Throughstrategicpartnershipsand innovativesolutions,Hydrogenseekstorevolutionizehow paymentsaremadeacrossAfrica,fosteringamore connectedandprosperousfuture.
Kemiemphasizesthesignificanceofcorporatesocial responsibility(CSR)atHydrogenPaymentServices,rooted intheAfricanphilosophyofcommunity.Shebelievesthat businessesshouldnotwaitforgovernmentstoaddress societalissues;instead,theymustactivelycontributeto positivechange.
AtHydrogen,CSRisintegraltotheiroperations.The companyrecognizesitsimpactonsocietyandisdedicated togivingbackinmeaningfulways.Thisincludesinitiatives aimedatpromotingfinancialinclusion,supporting environmentalsustainability,andempoweringunderserved communities.Byprioritizingtheseareas,Hydrogenseeks tocreatelastingbenefitsforindividualsandsocietyasa whole.
While this some mes means
collectiveactiontoaddresspressingchallengesanduplift society.
Kemibelievesintheconceptof"work-lifeintegration" ratherthantraditionalwork-lifebalance.Duringarecent townhallmeeting,shehighlightedthatachievingtrue balanceischallenging;instead,integratingvariouslife aspectsiskeytofeelingfulfilled.
Asamotheroftwoandawife,Kemiemphasizesthe importanceofmeticulousscheduling.Sheincorporatesall personalandprofessionalcommitmentsintohercalendar, fromherchildren'sschooleventstoqualitytimewithher husband.Byplanningholidaysattheyear'sstartand adjustingworkcommitmentsaccordinglysuchas schedulingimportantmeetingsaroundfamilyholidaysshe ensuresthatbothherfamilyandworkreceivethenecessary attention.
Whilethissometimesmeansworkinglateafterfamilytime, Kemiremainsintentionalabouthertimemanagement.Her approachreflectsacommitmenttonurturingbothher professionalresponsibilitiesandpersonallife, demonstratingthatwithcarefulplanningandprioritization, onecansuccessfullyintegrateworkandfamily commitments.
Kemiemphasizesthatthekeytosuccessfulproduct developmentatHydrogenliesinunderstandingthe customer.Thecompanyprioritizesidentifyingitstarget audiencebeforedesigninganysolution,ensuringthat productsarebothaccessibleandaffordableforunderserved communitiesacrossAfrica.
Onenotableexampleinvolveddevelopingacollection solutionformicro-merchants.Initially,aproposedidea provedtoocostly,threateningthemerchants'profitability. Recognizingthis,Kemiandherteampausedtorethinktheir approach,ultimatelycreatingamoresustainableand affordableoptiontailoredtothemerchants'realities.
Hydrogenalsoacknowledgesitsoperationalcostchallenges andstrategicallypartnerswithotherorganizationsto minimizeexpenses.Byleveragingexistinginfrastructure, thecompanycanachieveeconomiesofscale,allowingitto offeraffordablesolutionswithoutcompromisingquality. ThiscommitmenttoaccessibilityiscentraltoHydrogen's mission,asKemibelievesthatempoweringunderserved communitiesthroughinnovativepaymentsolutionsis essentialfordrivingeconomicgrowthandimprovinglives acrossAfrica.
KemiaimstochangetheglobalperceptionofAfricaasa vibrantcontinentrichintalentandresources.AsaBlack corporateleader,hervisionextendsbeyondpersonal success;sheaspirestoshowcaseAfricaasahubof innovationandsolutionsthatcancompeteontheworld stage.
AtHydrogenPaymentServices,Kemi'sleadershipreflects thisambition.SheenvisionsafuturewhereAfricasets globalstandardsinvarioussectors,particularlyinfinancial services.Herplayfulremarkaboutwantingto"paintAfrica yellow"symbolizesaseriouscommitmenttoilluminating thecontinent'spotential.
ShebelievesthatbyharnessingAfrica'sdiversetalentsand resources,thecontinentcancontributesignificantlyto globalprogress.ShewantstheworldtorecognizeAfrica notjustasaregionwithpotential,butasapowerhouseof ideasandcapabilities.ThroughherworkatHydrogen,she hopestoleavealegacythatpositionsAfricaasaleaderin theglobaleconomy,inspiringfuturegenerationstoembrace
theirheritageandstriveforexcellenceineveryendeavor
Modernworkplacecultureisanchoredondiversity
andinclusion,butactualprogressgoesbeyond policiesandstatements;itrequireseffective leadership.Leadershaveaverycriticalroleinthe developmentofaninclusiveenvironment,wherediverse perspectivesarevalued,employeesfeeltheybelong,and innovationthrives.Organizationsareredefiningdiversity andinclusionbyadoptingnewapproachestoleadership, transformingworkplacesintospaceswherepeoplefromall walksoflifecancontributemeaningfully
Theshifttoinclusiveleadership
Mosttraditionally,themajorityofthemodelsaround leadershipwasworkingwiththetop-down,corporate culturestogetherasone.Butthisevolvingworkforceis goingtolookatleaderswhoworkwithinclusivenessand activelysharetheirtime,theirthoughtswiththeir employeesthroughanopenmodeofcommunication wherebyeveryonefeelsthevoiceatthetable.Infact,that kindofdiversityisnottherejusttorepresentbutreally participateinthewholeprocessofcreatingdecisions.
Inclusiveorganizationsbuildaculturethathaspeoplebeing listenedto,respected,andempowered.Diversitychampions leadershipisnotjusttheprocessofincreasingorfollowing rulesbutmakingthecompanymoreinclusiveandinclusive throughcorevaluesanddailypractices.
InclusiveCultureDevelopment
Inclusionmeaninganddefinitionbecomestherequirement tothepointthatmostdiversityeffortsfailifnotgiventhis. Adiverseworkplaceisnotalwaysaninclusiveone.Leaders
nurturebelongingcultureswhereworkersfromother backgroundscanbeandarefreetobetheirbestselves,not beingcoercedintothesame.
Thismeansleaderswilldealwithunconsciousbiases,as wellasbarrierswithinthesystemthatcanhelptohinderan employeefromfullyparticipatingwithinthework.Leaders canalsofosteranenvironmentwhereeveryonehasa balancedchanceofsucceeding,throughmentorship opportunities,resourcegroups,andcareerpaths.
Transformationalleadersredefinediversityandinclusionby inspiringchangeratherthanforcingit.Again,theyleadby example,astheirinclusivebehaviorininteractions, decision-making,andpoliciesshows.Theytransformteams thataremoreinnovativeandflexiblethroughencouraging diverseviewpointsandcreatingacultureofcollaboration.
Transformationalleadersalsounderstandthatinclusionis notaone-timeeffort.Theysolicitfeedbackfrom employees,trackdiversitymetrics,andadjusttheir strategiestofitthechangingdynamicsoftheworkplace. Suchcommitmentensuresthatdiversityandinclusionare notmomentaryinitiativesbutlong-termorganizational priorities.
Modernleadershipreliesondata-informedinsightsin developingdiversityandinclusion.Throughtheanalysisof employeesurveydata,performancemetrics,andhiring data,leaderscantrackrepresentationgapsintheworkplace; inequitablepay;andvariedexperiencesbyfocusingon addressingthosedisparitiesinspecificwaysthatimprove theworkingenvironment.
Technologyalsoreducesbiasesinhiringandperformance evaluations.AI-drivenrecruitmenttools,blindhiring processes,andstandardizedperformanceevaluationcriteria willmakeworkplaceslessbiased.Whenleadersusesuch tools,itiseasierforthemtobemeritandpotential-based insteadofunconsciousbiases.
Psychologicalsafetyisanessentialcharacteristicofan inclusiveworkplace.Theemployeesshouldbefreeto expresstheirideas,challengethenorms,andtakerisks withoutanypunitiveretribution.Suchleaderscreatean environmentforopendiscussions,constructivefeedback, andnormalizationofconversationsaboutdiversityand inclusion.
Thisenvironmentmakesemployeesfeelpsychologically safetoengageinmeaningfuldialogue,raiseissues,and contributetothecultureofcontinuousimprovement.All employeesaremadetofeelvaluedandrespectedinan environmentwhenleadersareactivelisteners,consider differentperspectives,andaddresstheconcerns.
Besidesethicalreasons,businesscasesarguethatdiversity andinclusionarekeyperformancedrivers.Researcheshave shownthatdiverseteamsoutperformhomogeneousgroups intermsofinnovation,problem-solvingability,and monetaryreturns.Diverseworkplaceswillattractthebest andbrightesttalents,helpretainemployees,andenhance thebrandreputationoftheorganization.
Diverseandinclusiveleadersputtheirorganizationsona pathtolong-termsuccess.Theyworktosetupaculture wheredifferencesareembraced,leadingthewaytoteams thatreflectthediversecustomerbasesserved,thenmake betterdecisionsandincreasemarketcompetitiveness.
Behindthenewdefinitionofworkdiversityandinclusionis leadership.Withsuchinclusiveleadership,withtheculture ofbelonging,enhancingdatausage,andtalkingabout psychologicalsafety,leadersaretheactualdriversof change.Thefutureofworkwillbedominatedbyleaders whonotonlyadvocatefordiversitybutcreateenvironments whereinclusionbecomesimbeddedintotheveryfabricof organizationalculture.Leadershipwillbecomeafluid approach,whichwillcreatemorejust,innovative,and effectiveworkenvironmentsforyearstocome.
Thismodernbusinesslandscapepresentsaspeed
thathasneveroccurredbefore,shapedbyrapid technologicalstrides,shiftingconsumer expectations,andglobalsustainabilitychallenges.All theseaspectshaveledtoarealizationthattraditional leadershipstylesbasedonthestrictprofitabilityand efficiencyparadigmsarenolongeradequateforthe dynamicenvironmenttoday.Organisationsneed transformationalleadershipfromvisionarypeoplewho inspireinnovation,driveculturalchange,andcreate sustainablebusinessmodelsthatcanthriveinfuture uncertainty Transformationalleadershipisslowly comingintoviewasoneofthemostimportantfactors thatwouldguaranteelong-termbusinessviabilityand resilienceaswegointo2025andbeyond.
Transformationalleadersaredistinctfromtraditional managersbecausesuchleadersleadotherstowardsa commonvision.Traditionalmanagersmaintainthestatus quo,whiletransformationalleaderschallengeexisting normsintheorganization.Transformationalleaders encouragecreativeproblemsolvingandacultureof continuousimprovementintheorganization.Definedin termsofcreatingasharedcompellingsenseofvisionthat isalignedwiththelong-termsustainabilityofthe organization,suchleaders:.
• Enableandgrowemployeesinliberty,professional development,andinnovation.
• Leadauthenticallyandethicallytoinspiretrustand collaborativeworkacrossteams.
• Beachange-agilementalitybybeingproactive aboutthefutureofindustriesandpivoting.
Inthe2025world,theabovecharacteristicswouldbe requiredfromtheorganizationssothattheyremainrelevant incompetitionandsustainableforlongterm.
Inanever-acceleratingbusinesslandscape,innovationisno longeranadd-on,butacompulsion.Translational leadershipinstillsintheorganizationculturethat encouragestrialandcalculatedrisks.Organizationsthendo nothesitatetobeinnovativebeforethedisruptingforcesof marketchange.Forthis,itwillbemoreagileandversatile initspsyche,whichhelpsinrespondingaccordinglytothe callsofconsumers'demands,technologyinnovationsto seekout,andlong-termexistence.
Thecompaniesthatfailtoinnovatewillstagnate,butthose ledbytransformationalleaderscontinuetoevolveandput theminagoodpositionforsustainablesuccess.From artificialintelligence,supplychainoptimization,to integrationofsustainabilityinbusinessmodels, transformationalleadershipensuresinnovationbecomesa corecomponentofcorporatestrategy
Itisnowastrategicnecessityforcompaniestooperateand conductbusinessactivitiesinallindustriestobe sustainable.Withgreaterdemandformoreeffective environmentally,socially,andgovernancepractices, consumers,investors,andregulatorshavebeengradually demandingaccountabilityintermsofrequirements. Transformationalleadersaremindfulofthisanddonotjust considersustainabilitybutinsteadasanintegralpartthat goesdeepintotheircorebusinessstrategies.
Theseleadersfocusonsustainablegrowthbyinitiating activitiesthatreducecarbonfootprint,circulareconomy principles,andethicalsupplychains.Thislong-termvision alignsprofitabilitywithenvironmentalandsocial responsibility,soitmaybenefitbusinessespositivelyforthe planetandsocietywhileensuringprofitability
Itis,therefore,importanttohavetransformational leadershipatsuchtimeswhentalenthasemergedasthe sourceofcompetitiveadvantage;employeesarenolonger drivenbymeresalarybuttoasenseofpurpose,avenuesto grow,andjobsthathavesomethingaboutthemwhich spawnsafitworkenvironmentinaccordancewiththeir values.Transformationalleadersfashionworkplacesthat involvepersons,enablecollaboration,andpromote professionals.
Theseleaders,bycreatinganinclusivecultureand rewardingtheemployees,increasejobsatisfaction, productivity,anddecreaseturnover Asthelabormarket continuestoshiftwithskillsshortages,employee engagementwillbethedeterminantofthelong-term viabilityofabusiness.
Consumerstodayexpectmorethanjustproductsor services;theyseekbrandsthatalignwiththeirvaluesand providemeaningfulexperiences.Transformationalleaders prioritizecustomer-centricstrategies,leveragingdatadriveninsightstounderstandandanticipatecustomerneeds. Theyintegratefeedbackloops,personalizeinteractions,and ensurethatbusinessofferingsremainrelevantinaneverchangingmarketplace.
Theseleadersfosteranempatheticandresponsiveculture thathelpsthebusinessestodevelopastrongbrandloyalty andtrustwiththecustomers.Suchlong-termrelationships withcustomers,therefore,contributetosustainablegrowth inrevenuesandmarketleadershipthatfuture-proofsagainst disruption.
Businesslifehassimplyenteredaneraofuncertaintyand disruption,beitduetoeconomicshifts,geopolitical tension,orhigh-speedtechnologicalchange. Transformationalleadersaimtostrengthentheirbusinesses throughresiliencebuildingandproactiveproblemsolving. Theyarealsoprescientaboutthedisruptionshappeningin theirrespectiveindustries,embracechangeasan opportunityforgrowth,andleadorganizationsthrough uncertaintywithmuchmoreconfidence.
Transformationalleadersdon'trespondtocrisesbut constructorganizationsthatcansurviveandeventhrive underanygivenvolatileconditions.Theymotivateteams, incubateinnovations,andleadstrategicdirectionsthatcan makethebusinessadaptableandresilient.
Transformationalleadershipisnolongeranaddedvaluebut anessentialfactorinensuringsustainablegrowthaswe headinto2025andbeyond.Itinspiresinnovation, emphasizessustainability,engagestheemployee,and future-proofsanorganizationtohavelong-termsuccessin thisever-morecomplexworld.Businesssystemsembracing transformationalleadershipwilldowellandbethemakers ofthefutureintheirindustriesastheyetchtheirimpact uponthecorporateworldandthewidersociety.
– John C. Maxwell “
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.