Leading Africa’s Fintech Revolution and Digital Storytelling: The Journey of John Chukwuemeka Emmanuel
Authored by BDiGiT MAGAZINE
May 25, 2025
Visionary leadership, a passion for innovation, and a drive to empower millions define the journey of John Chukwuemeka Emmanuel from a small town in Ebonyi State to the forefront of Africa’s fintech and digital storytelling sectors. As the Founder and CEO of Ewalletly and the Creative Director of BDiGiT Magazine, Emmanuel is redefining what it means to build with purpose across two of the continent’s fastest-growing industries.
John Chukwuemeka Emmanuel (born December 24, 2000) is a Nigerian entrepreneur, digital product strategist, and creative innovator shaping the future of Africa’s financial and media landscapes. He is the Founder and CEO of Ewalletly, a forward-thinking financial technology company delivering secure, user-friendly, and inclusive services. He also leads BDiGiT Magazine, a digital publication curating stories of innovation, culture, and design from Africa’s boldest creators and changemakers.
Raised in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Emmanuel is the second child and first son of Mr. John Chukwuka Kenneth and Mrs. John Grace. His upbringing, deeply rooted in values of resilience, enterprise, and adaptability, shaped the mindset that continues to fuel his entrepreneurial pursuits.
Emmanuel’s educational journey continued at Eziobodo Technical School in Imo State, where his curiosity for technology flourished. As Senior Prefect, Emmanuel showed early signs of leadership, combining discipline with innovation. It was during this time that he built his first website, iconnect, an ambitious step that reflected both technical potential and a hunger to create solutions.
He went on to attend The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, earning a diploma in Glass and Ceramic Technology in 2019. As Vice President of his department, Emmanuel led student initiatives, gaining practical experience in collaboration, planning, and innovation. His time as a Ceramicist at Atamora Pottery in Osun State further sharpened his eye for detail and craftsmanship skills, which he has since applied to design and product development.
Driven by a desire for deeper knowledge, Emmanuel pursued additional training through global platforms. He completed a Marketing course at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as certifications in Cybersecurity and Fintech, laying the groundwork for his dual mission to blend creativity with technology.
His professional journey reflects this multidisciplinary drive. Emmanuel worked as a Senior Sales Manager and Creative Contributor at Not Just A Label (NJAL) in the US and UK, contributing to the distribution and promotion of over 4 million products across global markets. He also served as a Loan Manager at Joebless Microfinance Bank, where he developed a frontline understanding of the credit gaps in Nigeria’s financial system. This experience directly inspired the creation of Ewalletly.
As Founder of Ewalletly, Emmanuel leads the company alongside Abiodun Bankole, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Together, they are building a platform that addresses the unique financial needs of Africa’s underserved communities, offering tools for safe, simplified, and inclusive money management.
Ewalletly has forged key strategic partnerships with Bankly, Fincra, Data Mellon, and Dojah, leveraging these collaborations to enhance infrastructure in areas like virtual accounts, secure transactions, identity verification, and cross-border payments. Even before its full public launch, the platform attracted over 15,000 users on its waitlist—a strong signal of brand trust and the value behind Emmanuel’s vision.
Parallel to his work in fintech, Emmanuel leads BDiGiT Magazine—a media platform shaped at the intersection of storytelling, digital creativity, and cultural innovation. BDiGiT amplifies bold, emerging voices across fashion, art, music, technology, and identity. More than just a publication, it serves as a living archive of Africa’s creative renaissance and a pulse on the continent’s evolving cultural landscape.
Key Milestones
• Founded Ewalletly, an innovative fintech solution with strong institutional partnerships.
• Launched E-Guard, a digital escrow feature under the Ewalletly ecosystem, built to ensure safer, more secure transactions between parties.
• Led editorial and product sales at Not Just A Label (NJAL), contributing to over 4 million product sales globally.
• Recognized as a rising voice in Africa’s next-generation entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• BDiGiT Magazine nominated as one of the fastest-rising digital publications in Africa in 2024.
A Recognized Voice in Global Networks
John Chukwuemeka Emmanuel is a proud member of ForbesBLK, a global community spotlighting Black entrepreneurs, leaders, and creators driving meaningful change. He is also affiliated with CIVICUS, a worldwide alliance dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society. These affiliations reflect his commitment not only to innovation but also to advocacy, inclusion, and community-driven leadership on a global stage.
Looking Ahead
Emmanuel envisions a future where financial inclusion is a right, not a privilege. Through Ewalletly, he seeks to close the accessibility gap for millions across Africa, offering them tools to take control of their financial lives in safer, more intuitive ways.
At the same time, he is scaling BDiGiT Magazine into a definitive platform for African innovation—curating stories, trends, and cultural insights that reflect a continent on the rise.
Whether building transformative fintech products or documenting Africa’s cultural pulse, John remains guided by one principle: bridging the gap between innovation and impact, one product, one story, and one user at a time.
Connect with John Chukwuemeka Emmanuel
To learn more or get in touch, visit his LinkedIn profile or Follow him on Instagram