Heirs Holdings, the pan-African investment powerhouse, has announced the appointment of Chidi Okpala as Executive Director – Payments, Group Integration & Strategy (PGIS).
According to a statement sent to NewsmakersNG, this move reinforces the Group’s commitment to expanding its influence in financial technology and healthcare while driving synergies across its diverse portfolio.
Okpala, a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in financial services, FinTech, telecommunications, and strategy consulting, will play a pivotal role in shaping Heirs Holdings’ payments strategy. Leveraging the Group’s financial services expertise and technology platform, he will steer its entry into the fast-evolving digital payments sector.
His track record includes founding and leading Airtel Mobile Commerce Holdings (Airtel Money Africa), where he spearheaded the launch of Airtel Money—now one of Africa’s largest digital mobile wallets, serving over 40 million customers in 14 countries. Prior to joining Heirs Holdings, he co-founded and led Asante Financial Services Group, a FinTech firm empowering over 520,000 MSMEs across Africa with innovative financial solutions.
Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, expressed confidence in Okpala’s leadership, stating, “Chidi embodies the qualities we value—excellence, innovation, and dedication. As we enter our fifteenth year, his leadership will assist as we navigate the next phase of our journey, empowering Africa and creating transformative impact across the continent.”
Heirs Holdings, founded by Elumelu, continues to drive investment across key sectors—including financial services, power, oil & gas, real estate, hospitality, and healthcare—operating in 24 countries worldwide. Okpala’s appointment marks a strategic step in reinforcing the Group’s position as a leader in Africa’s digital and financial transformation.
0