Heirs Holdings appoints Chidi Okpala as Executive Director, strengthening its fintech strategy and driving business synergies across Africa
Heirs Holdings has announced the appointment of Chidi Okpala as Executive Director – Payments, Group Integration & Strategy (PGIS). In this role, he will oversee the Group’s technology and healthcare business sectors while driving synergies across its diverse portfolio.
Okpala will also lead Heirs Holdings’ strategy in the payments space, leveraging the company’s strong financial services background and technological expertise to navigate this rapidly evolving sector.
With over 20 years of leadership experience spanning financial services, fintech, telecommunications, and strategy consulting, Okpala brings extensive industry expertise to his new position. His impressive career includes roles at Accenture, United Bank for Africa (UBA), and Bharti Airtel International. Notably, he was the Founder and CEO of Airtel Mobile Commerce Holdings (Airtel Money Africa), where he pioneered the launch of Airtel Money. Today, Airtel Money is one of Africa’s largest digital mobile wallets, serving over 40 million customers across 14 countries.
Before joining Heirs Holdings, Okpala co-founded and served as CEO of Asante Financial Services Group, a fintech firm dedicated to empowering over 520,000 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Africa with innovative digital financial solutions. He holds a Sloan Master of Science in Management from the prestigious London Business School.
Group Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, welcomed Okpala’s appointment, highlighting his alignment with the Group’s core values of excellence, innovation, and dedication. As Heirs Holdings enters its fifteenth year, Okpala’s leadership will play a key role in shaping the company’s next phase of growth, strengthening its commitment to empowering Africa and driving transformative impact across the continent.
Heirs Holdings is a family-owned investment company committed to improving lives and transforming Africa. With investments across financial services, power, oil & gas, real estate, hospitality, and healthcare, the Group operates in 24 countries worldwide, reinforcing its mission to create lasting economic and social value.
