Benjamin Fernandes, Founder and CEO of NALA, has been crowned Africa CEO Disruptor of the Year 2025 at the Africa CEO Forum — rising above 3,000+ contenders from across the continent.

The award recognizes a dynamic leader whose bold vision and disruptive impact have redefined how Africans access vital services like finance, healthcare, and education.

In Fernandes’ case, it's his work at the helm of NALA and Rafiki that’s earning attention — building a payments infrastructure that speaks directly to the financial realities of everyday Africans and the global diaspora.

His message, delivered with humility and ambition: “We’re just getting started.”

The award criteria focused on performance, resilience, innovation, and deep social impact. Fernandes’ leadership in scaling NALA’s reach, driving financial inclusion, and championing African-built tech places him in league with past winners like mPharma’s CEO and KASHA’s disruptor-in-chief.

Fernandes attributed the win to "the incredible teams at NALA and Rafiki" and their behind-the-scenes efforts, while signaling ambitious future plans for the organization.

The rigorous selection process evaluated candidates on multiple criteria, including the disruptive nature of their products and services, social and environmental impact, innovation programs, geographic reach across Africa, deal activity, and revenue growth.

Eligible candidates for this award must have raised funds within the past year and been established less than a decade ago, positioning NALA among Africa's most promising and impactful young companies driving technological and financial transformation across the continent.