Muhammed Agbaje, a visionary Nigerian tech entrepreneur, is making significant strides in Africa’s tech ecosystem through his groundbreaking startup, Midupay, and his dedication to uplifting underserved communities in Ondo State with practical ICT training programs.
Agbaje’s entrepreneurial journey started in web development, where he worked extensively building websites for Nigerian businesses. During this time, he identified a key obstacle: many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) faced daunting costs and complexities when trying to embrace digital technology. This insight inspired him to create Midupay — a free platform aimed at helping African SMEs easily establish an online presence and accept digital payments, breaking down barriers imposed by traditional banking systems.
“Midupay makes it simple for businesses to go digital and manage transactions smoothly,” Agbaje explained. The platform’s standout feature, MyMidu, is an AI-driven assistant that anonymously analyzes sales data to deliver personalized business advice. From highlighting top-selling products to recommending smart pricing tweaks based on market trends, MyMidu supports small business owners in making data-driven decisions — all while safeguarding user privacy.
Set for launch in July 2025, Midupay’s team is currently enhancing MyMidu’s capabilities, gearing up to revolutionize how African SMEs thrive in the digital economy.
Empowering Youth Through ICT Training in Ondo
Beyond his startup ambitions, Agbaje is deeply passionate about building tech capacity in underserved areas. In Owo, Ondo State, he is spearheading a four-week ICT training initiative supported by the Ondo State Information Technology Agency (SITA) and the Nigeria-German Center for Migration and Development (GIZ-ZME). As part of the state government’s broader goal to train 500 youths, the program equips 100 participants in Owo with foundational skills in frontend development, covering HTML, CSS, and WordPress.
“The energy and eagerness from the participants have been truly inspiring,” Agbaje shared. His efforts recently caught the attention of SITA’s chairman, who highlighted the training’s success by resharing Agbaje’s journal-style blog post on X (formerly Twitter).
Looking ahead, Agbaje plans to establish a sustainable support network for trainees, offering ongoing learning opportunities and mentorship. “Our aim is to provide them not just skills, but also a community and resources for long-term success,” he said.
A Vision Rooted in Impact
Juggling the demands of Midupay’s development with his community training work is a challenge Agbaje embraces wholeheartedly. “I’m driven by solving real problems around me,” he said. To aspiring tech entrepreneurs, especially those from underserved regions, his advice is clear: “Start small, use free online resources, identify local challenges, and don’t hesitate to seek guidance.”
As Midupay nears its launch and the ICT training program continues to equip young Nigerians with valuable skills, Muhammed Agbaje is emerging as a catalyst for innovation and community transformation. His work is reshaping the digital landscape for African SMEs while laying the groundwork for the next generation of tech leaders in Ondo State.
