Femi Akinde

Posted by Staff Writer on Monday, November 22, 2010 at 6:52pm.

Femi Akinide has worked in a variety of high-level positions at well- known telecommunications and software firms in the world, including Gateway Communications, AT&T (Consultant), T-Mobile, and Microsoft. Throughout his telecommunications career, he has been a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for T—Mobile’s mobile data platforms and wireless portal. He switched careers after receiving his MBA and joined Microsoft as a Senior Finance Manager on the TV, Video & Music Finance team. In 2009, he resigned from Microsoft to start SlimTrader. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business and a BS in Electrical Engineering.

SlimTrader is the first platform in Africa that allows consumers to purchase services or shop for goods with their mobile devices. This is especially valuable given the slow and erratic internet access on the continent, which leaves residents with the sole option of traveling and waiting in line to conduct potentially simple transactions. Under his leadership, the company has begun operations in four African nations with a sting of early success stories. SlimTrader recently teamed with EarthWise Ferry Service to help reignite the long-formant yet economically vital waterway transportation system along Lake victoria and, in turn, strengthen the social fabric of the three countries that border it. SlimTrader also created the first Mobile web and SMS ticketing platform in Africa for Aero Airlines, a leading West African Airline.