Few entrepreneurs in Africa’s technology ecosystem have demonstrated the depth of vision and leadership that Adetutu Ayoola Oniyinde brings to the table. As the Founder and CEO of Cadastra360 NG a pioneering land verification and digital property registry platform and MediTrust e-Clinic, a fast-growing healthcare technology solution, she has reshaped two of Africa’s most challenging sectors: property governance and healthcare delivery.

Under her leadership, these platforms have processed millions of transactions, reached hundreds of thousands of users, and established partnerships with public and private institutions across the continent. But Ayoola’s impact extends beyond her companies. She is an ecosystem builder, mentor, policy advocate, and thought leader, committed to empowering the next generation of African innovators. In this interview with our team, she shares her perspective on Africa’s digital transformation journey past, present, and future.

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Looking back, how would you describe the journey from founding your first platform to becoming a leader in Africa’s tech ecosystem?
It’s been a decade of relentless learning, resilience, and reinvention. When I launched Cadastra360 NG in 2017, the problem was very local: solving land fraud and verification delays in Nigeria. But as we scaled, I realised we were building something much bigger a trust infrastructure for Africa’s property ecosystem. The same happened with MediTrust: what started as a local telehealth platform is now a scalable healthcare solution with users in multiple regions. Each stage of growth has deepened my belief that African solutions can have global relevance.

Your platforms are now used beyond Nigeria. How did you achieve continental reach?
 We focused on partnerships and interoperability. Cadastra360 now integrates with property registries and legal systems in four West African countries, while MediTrust is partnering with clinics and NGOs in three others. Achieving this required not just technology, but diplomacy building relationships with governments, navigating regulatory environments, and proving that digital transformation can work at scale.

What role do you think technology plays in Africa’s economic future?
Technology is no longer just an enabler it’s the foundation of economic growth. From property rights to healthcare access and financial inclusion, digital systems are the backbone of future development. If we get the infrastructure right data, identity, verification, and connectivity we’ll see exponential growth in trade, investment, and innovation. My mission is to contribute to building that infrastructure.

Leadership is often about influence beyond your own company. How have you contributed to the wider tech ecosystem?
 I’ve always believed that leadership is about creating opportunities for others. Over the past seven years, I’ve mentored more than 500 founders through accelerator programmes, workshops, and fellowships. I also advise government agencies on technology policy and digital governance, particularly around land transparency and health data interoperability. Additionally, I frequently speak at innovation conferences across Africa, where I advocate for local solutions and inclusive digital policies.

You often emphasise “ecosystem thinking.” What does that mean to you?
 Ecosystem thinking is about recognising that no startup succeeds in isolation. Success requires collaboration between founders, governments, academia, and investors. That’s why I actively build bridges facilitating partnerships, sharing data, and encouraging cross-border innovation. When we think beyond our own companies, we unlock far greater impact.

Many startups struggle to move from local relevance to continental scale. What advice would you give them?
 First, design with scalability in mind from day one build solutions that can adapt to different contexts. Second, prioritise partnerships. Scaling in Africa often depends on regulatory buy-in and ecosystem integration. And third, stay mission focused. The companies that succeed at scale are those that solve real, deep-rooted problems rather than chasing trends.

As a mentor, what key lessons do you share with younger founders?
 I always tell them three things: solve problems that matter, stay close to your users, and build with integrity. The African market rewards authenticity and resilience. I also encourage founders to think about sustainability from the start not just in terms of revenue, but in terms of long-term impact. Technology should make people’s lives better, not just make money.

What challenges still stand in the way of Africa’s digital transformation?
 Regulatory fragmentation, data infrastructure gaps, and talent shortages are still major hurdles. But we’re making progress. Governments are becoming more open to digital solutions, investors are more willing to back African innovation, and local talent is stronger than ever. The next step is harmonising standards across countries so that innovation can scale faster.

How do you see the role of public-private collaboration evolving in the next decade?
It will be critical. The biggest opportunities in healthcare, property, fintech, and identity sit at the intersection of public and private systems. My hope is that more governments will adopt open-data policies and partner with startups to deliver citizen services. Public-private collaboration isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the key to unlocking Africa’s full digital potential.

Finally, what is your long-term vision for your work and for Africa’s tech future?
My vision is to build systems that outlast me platforms, policies, and partnerships that continue to deliver value long after I’m gone. I want to see an Africa where property verification takes seconds, healthcare is universally accessible, and technology is embedded in governance. If we can achieve that, the next generation of innovators will have a stronger foundation to build on and Africa will no longer be catching up; it will be leading.

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Closing Quote:

“Africa’s future will not be built by outsiders it will be built by Africans solving African problems with technology, collaboration, and courage.” Adetutu Ayoola Oniyinde