Okra Co-founder Fara Ashiru Jituboh Transitions to British Startup Following Company Closure
Fara Ashiru Jituboh, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s vibrant fintech landscape and co-founder of Okra, has embarked on a new chapter, joining the British startup Kernel as its Head of Engineering. This significant move follows the recent shutdown of Okra, a pioneering open finance platform she co-founded in 2019, marking a notable shift in the African tech ecosystem. Jituboh’s departure from Okra in May 2025, as indicated on her LinkedIn profile, coincides with the company’s decision to cease operations.
The End of an Era: Okra’s Impact and Wind-Down
Okra, founded by Fara Ashiru Jituboh alongside David Peterside, emerged as a trailblazer in African open banking. Its core mission was to develop robust APIs that enabled individuals to securely link their bank accounts with various third-party applications, revolutionizing how financial data was accessed and utilized across the continent. Over its five-year journey, Okra played a pivotal role in advancing open finance, collaborating with major brands and fostering an innovative financial ecosystem. The company had even recently launched Nebula, an in-house cloud infrastructure product, underscoring its commitment to technological advancement.
Jituboh confirmed the difficult decision to wind down operations in May, reflecting on Okra’s impactful tenure. “The company made the decision to wind down operations in May,” she shared. “It was an incredible journey; we built impactful technology, worked with some of the biggest brands across the continent, and helped pioneer open banking in Africa. I’m proud to have worked alongside some of the smartest and most talented people, and I’m deeply grateful for the community, customers, investors, and team who supported us over the past five years.” Her statement underscores the profound contributions Okra made to the fintech space and the challenging nature of startup transitions.
Fara Ashiru Jituboh’s transition from an influential African fintech founder to a leadership role in a British startup exemplifies the dynamic nature of the global technology sector. While Okra’s closure marks the end of a significant chapter in African open finance, Jituboh’s move to Kernel signifies her continued dedication to engineering excellence and innovation. Her journey highlights the resilience and adaptability of tech leaders, demonstrating that even as one venture concludes, new opportunities arise to leverage invaluable experience and shape the future of technology on an international scale.
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