TAGiAfrica Profile
How Damisi Busari is Revolutionizing African Fintech with Sendsprint
Damisi Busari is a dynamic and innovative tech entrepreneur with a diverse background in various business functions. Her career spans multiple roles, including redress case handler for Deloitte, design researcher for the Telegraph Media Group, and UX designer for One Finance & Investment. Damisi also held key positions such as product manager, strategy manager, global head of customer experience, and head of commercial alliances and strategy at Flutterwave, a leading fintech company. Her extensive experience and drive to solve real-world problems through technology led her to launch Sendsprint, a payment solution, in February 2022.
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Background and Early Life
Growing up in the 1990s, Damisi Busari developed a love for computer games, which influenced her decision to study IT and Business Information at Middlesex University in the United Kingdom. Despite her family’s encouragement to pursue a career in law due to her conversational nature, Damisi quickly realized that law was not her calling. After attending a few court sessions, she decided to explore other interests.
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During her undergraduate studies, Damisi was introduced to design thinking, a concept that helped her appreciate the practical application of her ideas. Although she wasn’t particularly interested in writing code, she developed a keen interest in the human side of technology and how people interact with it. This interest eventually led her to pursue a master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction and Organizations, focusing on the psychology behind designs and understanding how to make technology products more user-friendly.
Professional Journey
Damisi’s professional journey began in consulting at Deloitte, but she soon realized that it wasn’t the perfect fit for her. She then ventured into tech roles, working as a design researcher at the Telegraph Media Group in London, where she investigated the impact of fonts on user readability on digital platforms. Her experience in tech continued to expand as she took on roles in UX design and product management, gaining valuable insights into the intricacies of technology and its impact on users.
After spending several years in the diaspora, Damisi returned to Nigeria, where she worked with various startups, including the fintech giant Flutterwave. Her seven-year tenure at Flutterwave was pivotal in shaping her understanding of payment infrastructure, global payments, and the costs involved. This experience also opened her eyes to opportunities for improving the consumer experience in the financial sector.
Overcoming Barriers and Nurturing Curiosity
Damisi has always been an advocate for breaking down barriers to entry in the tech industry, particularly for women. She believes that the narrative around barriers preventing women from entering tech is often overblown and does not reflect the current realities. While acknowledging that factors such as poverty can limit access to technology, she emphasizes the importance of holding conversations that demystify the tech world and help people match their curiosity with existing opportunities.
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According to Damisi, knowing how to write code is not a prerequisite for working in tech. There are many entry points into the industry, and individuals should focus on matching their strengths with available roles. For example, those with a talent for writing can find opportunities as UX writers, while customer care professionals are needed to engage clients in tech companies. Her philosophy is that everyone should find a role that aligns with their strengths and interests.
Motivation to Start Sendsprint
Damisi’s motivation to launch Sendsprint, a payment solution company, stemmed from her personal experience with the challenges of sending money back to Africa. She recognized that sending money to Africa was often expensive, with transaction fees reaching up to 12% of the value. Additionally, the process was not always real-time, taking several days to complete. These challenges, combined with her desire to provide a more cost-effective and user-friendly solution, led her to create Sendsprint.
One of the key innovations Damisi introduced with Sendsprint is the inclusion of a gifting solution in the remittance process. She observed that the traditional money transfer model made relationships between Africans in the diaspora and those back home transactional. By offering a gifting option, Sendsprint aims to strengthen these connections and provide a more meaningful way for people to support their loved ones.
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Damisi Busari is a trailblazer in the African tech ecosystem, using her extensive experience and passion for technology to solve real-world problems. Her journey from a young girl with a love for computer games to the founder of Sendsprint is a testament to her resilience, curiosity, and determination to make a difference. Through her work, Damisi continues to inspire others to explore the vast opportunities in tech and find innovative ways to connect people across continents.
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