Building the Future: How Abdulhamid Hassan is Shaping Fintech in Africa
June 28, 2025, 5:13 pm
Location: United States, California, Mountain View
Employees: 51-200
Founded date: 2005
In the heart of Nigeria, a revolution is brewing. Abdulhamid Hassan, the founder of Mono, is on a mission to transform the fintech landscape. His journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and an unwavering belief in the power of technology. As venture capital funding for African startups wanes, Hassan’s vision shines brighter than ever.
Hassan’s story begins in Ijebu Ode, a small town in southwestern Nigeria. His upbringing was steeped in entrepreneurship. His father, a pioneer in the rental business, instilled a relentless pursuit of quality. His mother, a fashion designer, taught him the importance of user experience. These early lessons became the bedrock of his future endeavors.
After moving to Lagos to study computer engineering, Hassan immersed himself in the nascent tech ecosystem. He found a community in Radar, a popular tech forum, where he shared insights and learned from others. The launch of Paystack in 2016 marked a turning point. Hassan was among the first to announce its arrival, a moment that would foreshadow his own entrepreneurial journey.
His first venture, Washify, aimed to connect users with local laundromats. It didn’t succeed, but it introduced him to Shola Akinlade, co-founder of Paystack. This connection would prove pivotal. After a brief stint in Egypt and Latvia, where he honed his skills, Hassan returned to Nigeria, ready to make his mark.
In Lagos, he launched OyaPay, a mobile app for offline payments. Despite its innovative approach, disputes with an angel investor led to its downfall. Yet, failure didn’t deter him. Instead, it fueled his ambition. Reconnecting with Akinlade, he joined Paystack, where he worked on merchant solutions. It was here that the seeds of Mono were sown.
In 2019, while experimenting with a side project to view bank balances, Hassan realized the potential for a broader solution. Nigeria’s open banking ecosystem was virtually non-existent. Frustrated with existing options, he decided to build his own API. This decision would change everything.
The launch of Mono in 2020 was met with unexpected interest. Instead of the app, investors were drawn to the underlying API. Major players like Carbon and Piggyvest quickly became customers and investors. Mono’s core offering is deceptively simple: APIs that enable fintechs to access bank statements, process payments, and verify identities. It’s the invisible infrastructure powering Nigeria’s fintech boom.
Hassan’s vision extends beyond Mono. He aims for a world where every fintech app in Nigeria integrates Mono’s technology. His latest product, Owo, allows users to make payments via WhatsApp. It’s a bold leap into the consumer market, and early traction suggests it could redefine how Nigerians spend money.
Hassan’s philosophy is clear: remove friction. Before Mono, loan approvals could take weeks. Now, lenders can access real-time data, slashing approval times to mere minutes. This impact is what drives him. He envisions a future where financial services are seamless and accessible to all.
Despite the challenges facing the startup ecosystem, Mono has thrived. The company has raised over $15 million and maintains a lean team of under 50 employees. Hassan prioritizes internal growth, hiring junior talent and promoting from within. This approach preserves company culture and fosters loyalty.
Hassan’s journey is not just about building a company; it’s about creating a legacy. He embodies the spirit of perseverance. His mantra, “don’t give up, don’t die,” resonates deeply in a landscape fraught with uncertainty. He is a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs across Africa.
As Mono continues to grow, Hassan remains grounded. He understands the importance of community and collaboration. His story is a reminder that success is not just about individual achievement; it’s about lifting others along the way.
In a world where fintech is often seen as a luxury, Hassan’s vision democratizes access to financial services. He is not just building a company; he is shaping the future of finance in Africa. With each step, he is paving the way for a new generation of innovators.
The road ahead is filled with challenges, but Hassan is undeterred. His journey is a testament to the power of resilience and innovation. As he continues to push boundaries, one thing is clear: Abdulhamid Hassan is a force to be reckoned with in the fintech landscape.
In the coming years, we can expect Mono to become a household name, synonymous with seamless financial experiences. Hassan’s relentless pursuit of excellence will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the industry. The future is bright, and it’s powered by visionaries like him.
As we watch this fintech revolution unfold, one thing is certain: the world is witnessing the rise of a new era in finance, led by the unwavering spirit of Abdulhamid Hassan. The journey is just beginning, and the possibilities are limitless.
Hassan’s story begins in Ijebu Ode, a small town in southwestern Nigeria. His upbringing was steeped in entrepreneurship. His father, a pioneer in the rental business, instilled a relentless pursuit of quality. His mother, a fashion designer, taught him the importance of user experience. These early lessons became the bedrock of his future endeavors.
After moving to Lagos to study computer engineering, Hassan immersed himself in the nascent tech ecosystem. He found a community in Radar, a popular tech forum, where he shared insights and learned from others. The launch of Paystack in 2016 marked a turning point. Hassan was among the first to announce its arrival, a moment that would foreshadow his own entrepreneurial journey.
His first venture, Washify, aimed to connect users with local laundromats. It didn’t succeed, but it introduced him to Shola Akinlade, co-founder of Paystack. This connection would prove pivotal. After a brief stint in Egypt and Latvia, where he honed his skills, Hassan returned to Nigeria, ready to make his mark.
In Lagos, he launched OyaPay, a mobile app for offline payments. Despite its innovative approach, disputes with an angel investor led to its downfall. Yet, failure didn’t deter him. Instead, it fueled his ambition. Reconnecting with Akinlade, he joined Paystack, where he worked on merchant solutions. It was here that the seeds of Mono were sown.
In 2019, while experimenting with a side project to view bank balances, Hassan realized the potential for a broader solution. Nigeria’s open banking ecosystem was virtually non-existent. Frustrated with existing options, he decided to build his own API. This decision would change everything.
The launch of Mono in 2020 was met with unexpected interest. Instead of the app, investors were drawn to the underlying API. Major players like Carbon and Piggyvest quickly became customers and investors. Mono’s core offering is deceptively simple: APIs that enable fintechs to access bank statements, process payments, and verify identities. It’s the invisible infrastructure powering Nigeria’s fintech boom.
Hassan’s vision extends beyond Mono. He aims for a world where every fintech app in Nigeria integrates Mono’s technology. His latest product, Owo, allows users to make payments via WhatsApp. It’s a bold leap into the consumer market, and early traction suggests it could redefine how Nigerians spend money.
Hassan’s philosophy is clear: remove friction. Before Mono, loan approvals could take weeks. Now, lenders can access real-time data, slashing approval times to mere minutes. This impact is what drives him. He envisions a future where financial services are seamless and accessible to all.
Despite the challenges facing the startup ecosystem, Mono has thrived. The company has raised over $15 million and maintains a lean team of under 50 employees. Hassan prioritizes internal growth, hiring junior talent and promoting from within. This approach preserves company culture and fosters loyalty.
Hassan’s journey is not just about building a company; it’s about creating a legacy. He embodies the spirit of perseverance. His mantra, “don’t give up, don’t die,” resonates deeply in a landscape fraught with uncertainty. He is a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs across Africa.
As Mono continues to grow, Hassan remains grounded. He understands the importance of community and collaboration. His story is a reminder that success is not just about individual achievement; it’s about lifting others along the way.
In a world where fintech is often seen as a luxury, Hassan’s vision democratizes access to financial services. He is not just building a company; he is shaping the future of finance in Africa. With each step, he is paving the way for a new generation of innovators.
The road ahead is filled with challenges, but Hassan is undeterred. His journey is a testament to the power of resilience and innovation. As he continues to push boundaries, one thing is clear: Abdulhamid Hassan is a force to be reckoned with in the fintech landscape.
In the coming years, we can expect Mono to become a household name, synonymous with seamless financial experiences. Hassan’s relentless pursuit of excellence will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the industry. The future is bright, and it’s powered by visionaries like him.
As we watch this fintech revolution unfold, one thing is certain: the world is witnessing the rise of a new era in finance, led by the unwavering spirit of Abdulhamid Hassan. The journey is just beginning, and the possibilities are limitless.