Mitchell Elegbe, founder and Group Managing Director of Interswitch, has been reappointed to the global jury of the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards, extending his participation in one of the world’s most prestigious entrepreneurship recognition programmes for a third consecutive year.
The appointment places the Nigerian fintech pioneer among a select group of former award finalists and winners chosen to evaluate leading entrepreneurs from across the globe ahead of the 2026 edition of the awards scheduled to take place in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Elegbe’s latest selection further strengthens Africa’s representation on the international entrepreneurship stage and reflects growing recognition of the continent’s technology and innovation ecosystem within global business circles.
Brandspur Brand News gathered that he remains the only African entrepreneur serving on the global judging panel, joining accomplished business leaders from regions including North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia.
His continued inclusion follows years of recognition within the EY entrepreneurship programme, where he achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first entrepreneur globally to receive honours in both the emerging and master entrepreneur categories within his region. The achievement remains one of the most distinctive records in the history of the programme.
Industry observers say the appointment underscores the increasing influence of African technology entrepreneurs in shaping global conversations around innovation, business leadership and economic transformation. It also highlights the growing impact of Nigeria’s fintech sector, which has become one of Africa’s most dynamic technology industries over the past two decades.
Founded in 2002, Interswitch has evolved from a payments infrastructure provider into one of Africa’s leading digital payments and commerce companies, serving financial institutions, governments, businesses and consumers across multiple markets. The company is widely credited with helping modernise electronic payments and digital transactions in Nigeria.
Beyond his leadership at Interswitch, Elegbe has earned international recognition for his contributions to financial technology, entrepreneurship and business development. His work has helped advance financial inclusion and digital innovation while supporting the expansion of technology-driven services across the continent.
The EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards programme has, for decades, celebrated business leaders whose companies have demonstrated innovation, resilience, growth and long-term economic impact. Thousands of entrepreneurs from around the world have participated in the initiative since its launch, making membership of its global jury a significant recognition of entrepreneurial achievement.
As the 2026 awards approach, Elegbe’s reappointment reinforces Nigeria’s growing visibility within the global innovation economy and highlights the role African entrepreneurs continue to play in shaping the future of technology, finance and enterprise development worldwide.
