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Babatunde Esanju is a seasoned software engineer, active open-source developer, and tech startup founder. He shares insights with OGHENOVO EGODO-MICHAEL on his professional journey and various topics.

YourA career that spans various industries, including LegalTech, FinTech, and CareTech. What inspires your interest in different sectors, and how do you believe technology can connect these areas?

I’ve always been intrigued by how technology can address practical, daily challenges. This interest has led me through LegalTech, FinTech, and now CareTech. In the legal field, my aim was to streamline procedures for lawyers and banks. In finance, I sought to provide everyday individuals with access to services such as money transfers and investment opportunities. In the care sector, my emphasis is on allowing caregivers to dedicate more time to people instead of administrative tasks. The common thread across these industries is straightforward: people facing inefficiencies, and technology working to bridge that gap.

At LawPavilion, you improved case management systems for large banks. Could you provide some information about the difficulties you encountered and how you addressed them to achieve a 40 per cent decrease in case handling time?

The main difficulty was scattered information. A single case frequently included physical files, numerous emails, and separate systems. Professionals were spending time searching for documents rather than addressing cases. We developed a platform that brought everything together, automated routine tasks, and provided instant updates. Naturally, there was some initial reluctance to change, so I personally conducted training sessions and emphasized minor successes. After users saw the time savings themselves, adoption occurred; and that is how we managed to cut processing time by 40 per cent.

Your involvement in the Loan Management Portal at LSETF was reported to have boosted efficiency. Which particular features or advancements played a role in this achievement, and how do you believe these kinds of systems can be expanded for wider influence?

At LSETF, manual procedures were causing delays across the board. Loan officers were overwhelmed with spreadsheets, which caused delays in providing funds to entrepreneurs. We developed a digital platform to manage applications, credit evaluation, and repayments automatically. Efficiency improved significantly as staff could concentrate on making decisions instead of handling administrative tasks. The broader goal is to expand such platforms throughout Africa, offering small businesses quicker and simpler access to financing.

As the Chief Technical Officer at Gen Financial Limited, you were responsible for developing Wyrr and GenCapita. What motivated the development of these platforms, and how do you envision their role in promoting financial inclusion across Africa?

Wyrr was deeply personal. I had relatives and friends living overseas, and I witnessed them losing substantial sums due to high remittance fees just to support family back home. This frustration motivated me to develop a more affordable and efficient method for transferring money. GenCapita emerged from another need I noticed. Young professionals aimed to invest internationally but faced limited access. By addressing this barrier, we provided ordinary Africans with the same investment opportunities available to investors in London or New York. Both initiatives were fundamentally about financial inclusion and respect.

At QOOP, it is reported that you developed a Buy Now, Pay Later service that boosted income. What insights did you gain from this initiative, and how do you believe BNPL options can be improved for various regions?

The most significant takeaway was that BNPL is not primarily about technology but rather about building trust. We developed a clear system; no concealed charges, adaptable payment plans, and equitable risk evaluation. This trust led to increased adoption and revenue. I also learned how local conditions influence success. In Nigeria, repayment methods linked to salaries or cooperatives proved most effective. In the UK, the emphasis was on regulation and openness. Financial products only thrive when they consider cultural and market specifics.

As the co-founder and CTO of Aisiki, you created a logistics and agricultural technology platform that significantly cut down on food waste. Could you share more about the obstacles you encountered while building this platform and its effect on the agricultural supply chain?

The issue we aimed to address was deeply distressing: farmers losing large amounts of crops due to the absence of an effective system linking them to buyers or transportation. We developed a platform that connected farmers with buyers and streamlined delivery routes. The main challenge was the limited digital proficiency among farmers, so we designed the app to be mobile-focused, straightforward, and available in regional languages. Witnessing a 90% reduction in food waste and farmers earning more was one of the most rewarding moments of my professional journey. It was not solely about technology, but about changing lives.

You are overseeing the development of Caresyntra, a platform for managing care. In your opinion, how can technology enhance care services, and which particular features are you concentrating on to update compliance and communication?

Caresyntra has revealed the immense responsibilities that caregivers bear; from handling compliance documentation to managing schedules and sharing patient updates, all while aiming to deliver high-quality care. We developed digital records, automated compliance checks, and communication tools that facilitate smooth interaction among managers, caregivers, and families. A feature I am especially proud of is real-time updates: when a nurse records a medication, families receive the information immediately. For me, it’s about leveraging technology to bring back dignity and efficiency in caregiving.

At TixTrack, it’s claimed that you have developed high-level ticketing systems. What are some of the main technical difficulties you’ve faced, and how have you resolved them to maintain scalability and efficiency?

Ticket sales operate under intense pressure as thousands of individuals attempt to purchase tickets within moments. Without appropriate systems, the entire process can fail. At TixTrack, we introduced distributed caching, asynchronous communication, and a cloud-based infrastructure that can scale. Preventing fraud was equally important, so we developed robust validation mechanisms. Reflecting on the past, I am proud not only of the technical achievements but also of the fact that millions now have a seamless and hassle-free ticket purchasing experience.

Your open-source project, PayBridge.SDK, makes it easier for developers to incorporate payments. What motivated you to develop it, and how do you believe it will help the developer community?

It originated from my frustration as a programmer. Each time I added a new payment gateway, I ended up performing the same repetitive tasks. I wondered, “There must be a more efficient approach.” Hence, I created PayBridge—an all-in-one SDK that provides a uniform API, cutting down on weeks of effort. I made it open-source because I wanted others to gain from it too. The goal is to allow developers to concentrate on creating genuine value rather than redeveloping existing solutions.

By means of your technical blog, tundehub.dev, you provide perspectives on microservices, cloud computing, and other topics. What inspires you to give back to the developer community, and in what ways do you believe sharing knowledge can promote progress?

I launched the platform because I have gained a lot from blogs and open resources. Sharing my experiences seemed like a way to contribute back. Writing helps improve my own understanding. If I can explain microservices or cloud architecture in an easy way, it shows that I have a solid grasp of the topic. Sharing knowledge helps others avoid making the same errors, and this is how innovation spreads faster.

Through TechNaija FM, you’re giving a platform to voices in fintech, edtech, and digital innovation. What are your objectives for this channel, and how do you envision its role in the technology landscape across Africa and the UK?

It started as a personal initiative to highlight African innovators who often go unnoticed. Gradually, it has become a link between Africa and the UK, where I reside. My aim is to develop it further from a podcast into a center for connecting, guiding, and working together. The most fulfilling aspect is when young individuals share, “I heard your show and now I believe I can achieve this too.” That’s true influence.

Your efforts have influenced numerous people. What do you think is the most significant part of your professional journey, and how do you assess the achievement of your work?

To me, impact goes beyond statistics; it’s about real-life experiences. It’s the farmer who made more money because his goods arrived at the right time, the young professional who took their first investment step via GenCapita, and the fan who purchased a ticket without any hassle because the system remained stable. Numbers are important, but it’s the human results that truly resonate with me. That’s how I define achievement.

As an individual with experience in FinTech, open source initiatives, and fostering communities, what do you perceive as the key challenges in these areas, and how do you believe they can be tackled using technology and teamwork?

In the realm of Financial Technology, the primary obstacle is trust. Individuals must feel assured that their funds are secure. Within open-source environments, the main issue is endurance. Many initiatives depend on unpaid contributors. And within communities, diversity continues to be a challenge. The answers can be found through teamwork: regulatory bodies partnering with emerging companies, businesses supporting open-source developers, and communities deliberately fostering an environment for varied perspectives. No single entity can tackle these issues by itself.

You have been involved in various initiatives focused on promoting financial access and strengthening communities. What do you believe is the role of technology in reducing economic disparities, and how can it be used more efficiently?

Technology stands as one of the most powerful tools for equality. For instance, mobile banking has provided millions of Africans without bank accounts with access to financial services. GenCapita created opportunities for global investment for people who were once left out. However, I have also observed that merely imitating Western models often fails. The most significant advancements occur when solutions are tailored to local culture, income levels, and daily practices.

What are your career goals and the influence you hope to create in the field of technology and innovation as you look ahead?

I aim to continue developing technology that simplifies and enhances life. In the short term, I am working on expanding Caresyntra to boost efficiency and compassion in care services. In the long run, I plan to grow open-source initiatives such as PayBridge to assist developers and transform TechNaija FM into a worldwide platform for African and UK innovators. At the heart of it all, my goal is straightforward: to design solutions that endure beyond me and keep supporting people.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).