Afeez Akinfola Oyinloye, founder of MacTech O.A Nigeria Enterprises, has spent the last decade building tech solutions that solve real problems in Nigeria’s public and government sectors. From helping the Osun State government eliminate ₦750 million in payroll fraud to building one of the country’s fastest-growing mobility platforms, WakaForMe Ride, Oyinloye is steadily shaping the future of African GovTech and mobility.
In this exclusive interview, he speaks with us about the journey so far, the challenges of working with government institutions, and his plans to scale globally.
Q: What inspired you to tackle public sector inefficiencies with MacTech?
Afeez Oyinloye: I saw firsthand how deeply flawed the public sector was—ghost workers, inflated budgets, lack of transparency. During my BSc in Information Systems at the University of East London, I realized tech could fix these issues. So in 2014, I founded MacTech to build real, scalable solutions like APIs and mobile applications. By 2021, we had already hit ₦250 million in turnover and were serving over 300 clients across Nigeria. The Osun State payroll reform project in 2022 gave us a chance to prove that tech can truly transform governance.
Q: Let’s talk about the Osun payroll system. How did it save ₦750 million?
Afeez Oyinloye: That project was one of the most challenging and rewarding. We discovered a massive payroll leakage from ghost workers. The government invited us to build a secure biometric-based system. We faced a lot of resistance—some officials were scared that the new system would expose decades of fraud. Plus, we dealt with poor infrastructure: power outages affected over 70% of our workdays. But by December 2022, we had rolled out a fingerprint-enabled, offline-capable solution. It removed over 1,500 ghost workers from the system, saving the state ₦750 million. The public response and media coverage helped restore confidence in digital governance.
Q: Nigeria is pushing for more e-governance. What’s holding us back?
Afeez Oyinloye: The potential is there. But according to NITDA’s 2024 data, only about 40% of government agencies are actually using integrated tech platforms. Corruption is still a major issue, and so is digital illiteracy. Internet coverage is just around 50% nationwide. If we want true e-governance, we need stronger national policies, affordable broadband, and investment in digital infrastructure. The Osun project shows what’s possible if we get those basics right.
Q: How were you able to scale MacTech into a national player?
Afeez Oyinloye: Focus and discipline. We didn’t chase every contract or trend. We stayed lean, reinvested our revenue, and formed smart partnerships—like working with Hybridsoft for our ERP and accounting integrations. I personally oversaw every major deployment, especially for high-stakes clients. One of our platforms, built for the Osun Ultimate Awards voting system, generated ₦300 million in value. Our 300+ clients trust us because we solve problems, not just sell products.
Q: How has your leadership evolved as MacTech grew?
Afeez Oyinloye: In the beginning, I was involved in everything—from coding to client calls. But as we scaled, I had to learn to delegate and lead strategically. We introduced agile sprints, daily standups, and OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) across departments. I now focus more on fundraising, government relations, and product innovation while ensuring the company maintains its culture of excellence and accountability.
Q: What is your long-term vision for Nigeria’s digital transformation?
Afeez Oyinloye: Nigeria needs a unified e-governance structure—think Estonia’s digital ID system. We still have over 70 million Nigerians without reliable internet access, and more than 60% of our government systems lack proper cybersecurity. But the tools are here. With the right leadership, Nigeria can build a future where every citizen has access to secure digital services—from payroll to public transport.
Q: How can African governments better support founders like you?
Afeez Oyinloye: They need to fix infrastructure first—reliable electricity and affordable internet. Then they must back local innovation through policy, funding, and trust. A national KYC identity system, for example, would make onboarding users for platforms like WakaForMe much easier. Also, we need more tech parks, tax incentives, and research grants outside cities like Lagos and Nairobi. The talent is there—it just needs opportunity.
Q: What advice do you have for African startups that want to scale globally?
Afeez Oyinloye: Solve universal problems. Transport, payments, governance—these exist everywhere. When we built WakaForMe Ride, we made the backend modular and language-agnostic so we could easily adapt it to different regions. Don’t build for one state—build for one continent. Also, forming strategic alliances with global partners—especially in the UK, EU, and Asia—can accelerate growth and credibility.
Q: What’s your take on Africa’s venture capital ecosystem?
Afeez Oyinloye: In 2024, African tech raised about $5.5 billion—but 75% went to just four countries, and 60% to fintechs. That leaves mobility, GovTech, and healthtech severely underfunded. Founders like me often have to bootstrap or rely on family. We need to democratize investment flows and protect founder equity. Diaspora funds and local angel networks are beginning to fill that gap, but it’s still early.
Q: Why are you expanding into the UK tech ecosystem?
Afeez Oyinloye: The UK is a leader in ethical AI, public sector digital transformation, and mobility technology. I see opportunities to refine WakaForMe using predictive analytics, AI, and machine learning. We’re also looking at B2B solutions—such as logistics tools for NHS supply chains or campus mobility for universities. I believe the solutions we built in Nigeria can be adapted to serve councils in places like Birmingham or Manchester.
Q: What’s next for you personally and professionally?
Afeez Oyinloye: I recently received the YALI 2024 Award for innovation in public sector tech, which means a lot. Next, I’m focused on building AI-powered governance platforms, expanding WakaForMe, and launching a smart-city product in collaboration with urban planners. My goal is to merge Nigeria’s resilience with global innovation—to build tools that solve public problems in both developed and emerging economies.
Closing Thoughts
Afeez Oyinloye represents a new generation of Nigerian tech leaders—ambitious, grounded, and driven by impact. His story is proof that solving real problems still matters. With leaders like him at the helm, Nigeria’s digital future may arrive faster than we think.
