For many young Nigerians, financial freedom increasingly means finding new ways to earn, save, send and manage money beyond the traditional banking system. At the centre of this shift is a gr
For many young Nigerians, financial freedom increasingly means finding new ways to earn, save, send and manage money beyond the traditional banking system. At the centre of this shift is a growing generation of young entrepreneurs building businesses around fintech and cryptocurrency.
One of them is Benedine Ernest, the CEO of BennyBit, a fintech platform that enables users to receive money from abroad, manage USD accounts, buy and sell cryptocurrency, send money and make fast payments.
Benedine has built a name for herself in Nigeria’s crypto space, becoming one of the country’s prominent female crypto vendors. Her journey also reflects a broader shift in an industry that has historically been dominated by men, with more young women building businesses and careers around blockchain, cryptocurrency and financial technology.
Beyond running BennyBit, Benedine describes herself as an entrepreneur who is passionate about business, technology and building products that solve real problems.
“I’m passionate about business, tech, and building things that people can actually use,” she says.
Her approach to entrepreneurship is rooted in curiosity and growth. She enjoys learning, experimenting with new ideas and turning them into practical solutions, while embracing the process of figuring things out along the way.
That journey has made her a source of inspiration for many young Nigerians, particularly women who see her career as an example of what is possible when technology, entrepreneurship and financial ambition come together.
Benedine Ernest
1. Summarise your mornings in one sentence
I wake up, pray, get into work, drink my water, and start my day.
2. Describe your gadget setupMy gadget setup is pretty straightforward, but I definitely have a lot going on. I have three phones, two that I use mainly for work and one for personal use. I also have my laptop and iPad, which I use depending on what I’m working on.
Then I have a few other gadgets that make my workday easier, especially my headphones and other devices I use to listen to music while working. I like having different devices for different things because it helps me stay organised and separate work from my personal life.
Music is also a big part of my work routine, so I always have something playing in the background while I work.
3. What tech tools/ applications do you use the most for work?My Laptop.
Benedine Ernest’s Gadget setup
4. What do you do when you need inspiration?
I watch people on YouTube doing crazy things with their businesses and making in a day what some people make in a year. It reminds me there’s still so much to build.
5. What mobile application can you not do without daily?BBIT MOBILE APP
6. What tech solution do you wish someone had created?Probably an app that puts all the features you need in one place. I’d honestly build it myself, and I’d get it done in no time.
Benedine Ernest
7. If you have unlimited time and money, what problem would you solve?
I’d focus on creating more opportunities for young people to make money, learn valuable skills, and build something of their own, regardless of where they come from.
8. Which woman in tech inspires you the most?Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala inspires me because of her intelligence, resilience, and the impact she has made globally. I admire how she has built a career in spaces where women, especially African women, are often underestimated. Her journey reminds me that your background does not have to limit how far you can go.
I also respect how she combines knowledge with action and continues to represent Africa on a global stage. She motivates me to think bigger, stay consistent, and take myself seriously.
More than anything, her story shows me that you can be successful, break barriers, and still create opportunities for others along the way.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala
9. Which profound statement inspires you the most?
Your life can change completely in one decision.” It reminds me that sometimes all it takes is the courage to make a move.
10. Whose women in tech trivia would you love to read?I don’t have a particular person in mind yet, but I’d love to discover more women in tech and learn about their journeys.
