7 women in crypto and DeFi you should know

Imagine building a career around an industry that was once known for its complex jargon, technical language and overwhelmingly male-dominated spaces and then becoming one of the women helping to shape its future.

That is the story unfolding across the cryptocurrency and decentralised finance (DeFi) ecosystem, where more women are moving beyond being users and investors to become founders, developers, analysts, educators, community builders and leaders.

Cryptocurrency, or crypto, refers to digital assets that use blockchain technology to record and secure transactions. Unlike traditional currencies such as the naira or US dollar, cryptocurrencies can operate on decentralised networks rather than being controlled directly by a central bank.

DeFi, short for decentralised finance, takes the idea further. It refers to financial services built on blockchain networks that allow people to lend, borrow, trade, save or move assets without relying solely on traditional financial institutions such as banks.

So, what does it mean to be a woman in crypto and DeFi?

It means participating in one of the world’s fastest-evolving areas of technology and finance, whether by building blockchain products, developing DeFi protocols, analysing digital assets, educating communities, creating businesses or helping shape the policies that govern the industry.

For years, the sector’s technical language and male-dominated culture could make it seem like a space reserved for a select few. But that picture is changing. Across Africa and beyond, women are increasingly finding their place in the ecosystem and, in some cases, creating the opportunities themselves.

Here are seven women in crypto and DeFi whose work is worth knowing.

1. Sarah Idahosa — Founder, Women in DeFi

Sarah Idahosa

Sarah Idahosa is a Web3 community builder, event manager, educator and decentralised finance researcher. She is also the Africa Partnership and Sales Lead at MANSA, a stablecoin liquidity provider backed by Tether.

Idahosa is the founder of Women in DeFi, a pan-African non-profit organisation focused on empowering women through education, access and leadership in blockchain and decentralised finance. Since its launch in 2022, the organisation has reportedly impacted more than 15,000 women and built a community of over 9,000 members.

Through Women in DeFi, Idahosa works to help people transition from Web2 to Web3 while making blockchain and DeFi opportunities more accessible. She has also spoken at events including Nigerian FinTech Week, GDG DevFest Lagos, Africa Tech Summit in Kenya and London, and Africa Money and DeFi Summit in Ghana.

2. Inya-Agha (Augustina) Ifeoma — Coordinator, Women in Crypto Nigeria

Inya-Agha Augustina Ifeoma

Inya-Agha Augustina Ifeoma is the Coordinator and Founder of Women in Crypto Nigeria, where she focuses on educating and mentoring women in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency.

According to her profile, she has spent more than six years helping women develop both basic and advanced knowledge of the blockchain industry and cryptocurrency, contributing to efforts to make the sector more accessible to women.

3. Ebube Ojimadu — Head of Product, Quidax

Ebube Ojimadu

Ebube Ojimadu is a product leader in fintech and digital assets, serving as Head of Product at Quidax, a digital asset exchange.

Over her years at Quidax, she has led product strategy and execution across payments, cross-border transactions, wallets, trading and developer infrastructure. Her work has involved building and scaling products used by customers across multiple countries, while leading product teams and working with founders on platform development and expansion.

Ojimadu has also overseen products that have processed billions in transaction volume, taking them from early-stage development through growth and scale. Her work sits at the intersection of crypto, payments and financial access, with a focus on making it easier for individuals and businesses to move and store money across borders.

4. Vivian Mbene — COO, Inbreetic Technologies

Vivian Mbene is an operations and business strategist who has spent the last six years working in the technology and fintech space. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at Inbreetic Technologies, having previously held the same position at The Tonic Technologies.

In her role, Mbene focuses on building operational systems, leading teams through business expansion and solving complex organisational challenges. Her experience spans business operations, strategy and growth within Africa’s technology ecosystem.

Beyond her work in tech, she is the founder of RediscoverHer, a non-profit organisation that supports young women through mentorship and practical workshops designed to help them make intentional, passion-led decisions about their lives and careers.

5. Roimot Ajiboye — Chief Compliance Officer, Roqqu

Roimot Ajiboye

Roimot Ajiboye is a Chief Compliance Officer specialising in financial crime prevention within the finance and cryptocurrency sector. She has worked across areas including Know Your Customer (KYC), anti-money laundering (AML), transaction monitoring and financial crime compliance.

At Roqqu, she has been involved in establishing and strengthening the company’s compliance structures, including frameworks designed to support its operations across different jurisdictions. Her work has also extended to compliance structures for Roqqu’s European operations as the company expanded.

Ajiboye holds certifications in AML Compliance and Financial Crime Compliance and is a Designated Compliance Professional. Her work highlights an often-overlooked side of the crypto industry: the compliance systems required to make digital asset businesses safer and more accountable.

6. Ebun Adeoti — Group Head of People, Busha

Ebun Adeoti

Ebun Adeoti is a human resources professional who has built her career across technology, finance and consulting. She currently serves as Group Head of People at Busha, an African cryptocurrency exchange platform, where she has worked for about five years.

At Busha, Adeoti is responsible for people operations, including developing HR strategies and programmes that support the company’s business objectives. Her responsibilities also include recruitment, onboarding, talent development and working with senior management on organisational priorities.

With more than six years of experience in HR, Adeoti brings a people and organisational perspective to the cryptocurrency industry. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in Psychology at Aston University, with an interest in human behaviour, motivation and performance.

7. Stephanie Kosisochukwu David — Growth and Marketing Lead, Monica Technologies

Stephanie David

Stephanie Kosisochukwu David is a growth and marketing professional serving as the Growth and Marketing Lead at Monica Technologies. Her work focuses on business expansion, brand positioning, customer acquisition and long-term market growth.

David developed her career through practical experience in software marketing, where she worked on translating complex digital products into benefits that customers could easily understand. This experience has shaped her approach to product adoption, customer engagement and technology marketing.

At Monica Technologies, she leads growth-focused initiatives aimed at strengthening brand awareness, improving customer retention and positioning the company within the fintech ecosystem. Her work combines data analytics, customer psychology, digital strategy and product storytelling to connect technology products with their target audiences.