Newsbreak: Yoruba youth Eniolorunda makes 2026 TIME100 most influential persons in the world
By Samuel Ogunsona
A Yoruba-born financial innovator, Tosin Eniolorunda, has earned a spot on the 2026 TIME100 Next list as one of the most influential businessmen in the world.
He was listed for his groundbreaking work in Nigeria’s banking and fintech industry.
Co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint Inc, Tosin Eniolorunda
was named among 100 emerging global leaders who are shaping the future of industries globally.
He emerged as the only African featured in the business, technology and AI category this year.
The annual list, launched by TIME in 2019, celebrates rising stars whose influence is coming early and from outside traditional establishments. This year’s selection process, according to TIME, involved months of deliberation focused on themes such as access to education, artificial intelligence revolution and new models of leadership. The list features 100 individuals, including 15-year-old cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as its youngest honouree.
TIME CEO Jessica Sibley said of the list: “This year’s listmakers are pushing boundaries, creating new possibilities, and advancing their fields and communities around the world.”
Eniolorunda’s recognition spotlights the rise of Yoruba excellence in the formal banking sector, an industry where technology is now driving financial inclusion. Since its founding in 2015, Moniepoint has grown into a unicorn since 2024, serving over 20 million businesses and individuals. The company now powers about eight in ten in-person digital payment transactions in Nigeria, with its signature blue POS terminal and agency network present in all 774 local government areas of the country.
Reacting to the honour, the Moniepoint boss attributed the achievement to his team and customers.
“I am grateful to TIME for this recognition, which belongs first to the Moniepoint team, whose discipline and sacrifice built this company, and to the millions of businesses and individuals across the continent who trust us with their livelihoods every day. Our mission has always been to deliver financial happiness, and this honour renews our commitment to building with even greater rigour and care for the people we serve,” he said.
The honour adds to Moniepoint’s growing global recognition by TIME. On 22 September 2026, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Felix Ike was named to TIME’s inaugural Executives of the Year list for Tech and Data, while in 2025 the company was listed among TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies.
Other names on this year’s TIME100 Next include actor Joey King, NBA star Tyrese Maxey, and Filipino tennis player Alexandra Eala.
TIME will celebrate the 2026 class at its sixth annual TIME100 Next event in New York on 29 October.
