Okra

Okra was an African fintech company that provided an API super-connector for businesses and developers to access real-time financial data and payments from banks across Nigeria and

other African markets. Founded in June 2019 by Fara Ashiru Jituboh and David Peterside, Okra aimed to create a unified financial ecosystem by connecting banks, fintechs, developers, and consumers. The company launched its services in January 2020 and achieved impressive operational metrics, including 99.9% uptime. Okra's core offering was its open finance infrastructure, which included a single API for account authorization, real-time balance inquiries, identity verification, transaction history, and payments. The company served a B2B model, partnering with over 100 clients, including notable banks and fintech platforms. Okra's services enabled partners to automate onboarding, verify income, and process loans efficiently. Although Okra ceased operations in mid-2025, it played a significant role in advancing open finance in Africa during its operational years.