As Nigeria moves to enforce its data protection regime across its rapidly expanding digital and AI-driven financial services, global fintech platform Optasia has called for privacy-by-design to become a non-negotiable standard in the sector. This assertion was made during Nigeria’s National Privacy Week 2026, where Optasia served as the Platinum Sponsor of the National Data Privacy Summit held at the Transcorp Centre in Abuja. The summit aligns with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), the country’s primary legal framework governing the collection, processing, and use of personal data.
With the increasing deployment of AI in credit scoring, lending, and digital financial inclusion, regulators emphasize the need for stronger data governance to sustain trust in Nigeria’s digital economy. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner and CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), remarked that privacy is not merely an isolated privilege but a fundamental right guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. “By building trust, we unlock the full potential of our digital economy and protect every Nigerian’s digital identity,” Olatunji added.
Optasia, which provides AI-powered financial services through licensed financial institutions and regulated distribution partners, stated that its operating model is designed to align innovation with regulatory compliance. The company operates exclusively within licensed ecosystems, embedding data protection, accountability, and security into its technology stack. Uchenna Agbo, Optasia’s chief commercial officer, asserted that the rapid growth of Nigeria’s digital economy necessitates stronger safeguards around consumer data. “As Nigeria’s digital economy expands, the data that powers innovation and inclusion must be protected with the same seriousness as financial capital. For Optasia, compliance, ethical data use, and respect for consumer privacy are foundational to building long-term confidence in AI-driven finance,” Agbo said.
Optasia executives participated in several high-level panel discussions focused on governance of emerging technologies. Antoine Chatzistamatiou, chief technology and innovation officer, contributed to a session titled “Building trust by design: Privacy, ethics, and accountability in emerging technologies,” alongside a senior representative from GTBank. In another panel, “Innovation without Intrusion: Balancing data-driven growth with privacy as a fundamental right,” Stelios Lelis, Optasia’s chief data and risk officer, shared insights with senior executives from Microsoft and Stanbic IBTC.
The company’s strategy in Nigeria is anchored on four operating priorities: privacy-by-design, responsible use of artificial intelligence, innovation without intrusive data practices, and deeper collaboration across the licensed financial ecosystem. Optasia also noted that its SOC 2 Type II certification reflects adherence to internationally recognized standards for security, confidentiality, and privacy.
Industry analysts suggest that Nigeria’s enforcement of the NDPA is likely to reshape how fintechs design products, deploy AI, and manage customer data, particularly as digital lending and automated credit decisioning expand. Founded in 2012, Optasia operates in 38 countries, processing over 32 million transactions daily for more than 120 million active users through partnerships with mobile network operators and financial institutions. The company has been listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange since November 2025.
As regulators tighten oversight of data use in AI-driven finance, Optasia emphasizes that innovation in financial services must be built on trust, transparency, and privacy by design.
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