Oluwafunke Kofoworade is a problem-solver at heart. With a degree in Computer Science and Engineering, and a few years of experience working across edtech, Fintech, and digital transformation, she is rapidly gaining recognition as a leading product manager in Africa’s emerging tech landscape.

From building digital learning platforms that expanded access to education, to designing fintech products that empowered businesses  with flexible credit, Oluwafunke Kofoworade combines technical depth with strategic product thinking to deliver scalable, user-focused innovation.
We sat down with her to talk about her journey into product management, the challenges she has  faced, and her vision for building scalable digital solutions.

What drew you into product management?

Product management found me through curiosity. I have always been fascinated by how technology can improve real-world processes. My background in computer science and engineering gave me the tools to understand systems, but I soon realized I was even more interested in how those systems affect people.

As I worked across industries Edtech to Fintech I found myself naturally stepping into roles that involved process optimization, solution design, and stakeholder alignment. Product management became a natural progression. It allows me to combine my technical skills with strategic decision-making, team leadership, and empathy for users.

What is one product you have worked on that made a significant impact?

I led the development of a cloud-based credit-as-a-service platform designed to support enterprises with flexible financing options. The platform integrated automated risk scoring, secure onboarding, and real-time transaction analysis. I worked cross-functionally to define the product roadmap, streamline the user experience, and implement a modular API infrastructure for partner integration. Within three months of launch, the product onboarded over  3000 businesses , reduced underwriting time by 60%, and achieved a 92% loan repayment rate exceeding industry benchmarks for financial inclusion and digital credit services.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your journey?

Early on, I had to earn the trust of cross-functional teams, especially in male-dominated or highly technical environments. People sometimes assume that if you are not the developer or data scientist, you can’t understand the technology. I had to consistently demonstrate that my role wasn’t to code, but to connect the dots between users, business needs, and technology delivery.

How would you describe your approach to product development?

It starts with discovery. I believe every great product begins by listening to users, stakeholders, data, and even frustrations. I always ask, what is the problem we are solving? Who are we solving it for? What does success look like?

Then I move into defining clear goals and Minimum Viable Products. I work closely with UX designers, engineers, Quality Assurance , and business leads to build iteratively.

What tools and frameworks do you use to manage your teams and projects?

I use Agile methodologies, often running 2-week sprints with clear goals and retrospectives. Tools like Jira, Trello, and Notion help manage tasks and track progress. Miro is great for workshops and journey mapping, while Figma is essential during early UI/UX collaboration.

What trends in product management or digital innovation excite you most?

I am excited about no-code/low-code platforms, which are making product experimentation faster and more accessible, especially for smaller teams. I am also passionate about ethical tech building products that are inclusive, secure, and respect user privacy.

How do you balance creativity and functionality in your product work?

Functionality is always the foundation. A product must work it has to solve a real need. But once that foundation is there, creativity allows us to build products that people want to use, not just need to.

You have worked with engineers, designers, marketers, and execs. What’s your collaboration philosophy?

Transparency, empathy, and inclusion. I believe in co-creating solutions. That means involving engineers early in defining feasibility, looping in marketing during positioning, and getting feedback from customer-facing teams regularly.

What’s your long-term vision as a product manager?

My long-term vision as a Product Manager is to keep leading purpose-driven teams that design and deliver scalable, user-centered solutions which make a measurable difference in people’s lives. I am particularly passionate about driving innovation in health, education, finance and business enablement sectors where the right technology can directly transform communities and the underrepresented. Ultimately, I want to be at the forefront of products that don’t just solve problems, but also create lasting social and economic impact.

Any final advice for aspiring product managers?

Start where you are. You don’t need the perfect title to begin developing your product mindset. Look around what problem can you solve? How would you design the solution?

Invest in your skills, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration are just as important as tools and frameworks. Learn continuously, build projects (even hypothetical ones), and don’t be afraid to start small.

Oluwafunke Kofoworade’s journey is a compelling reminder that technology, when paired with empathy and strategy, can solve meaningful problems. As Africa’s digital economy expands, leaders like her are showing the way one product at a time.