Welcoming Owenize Irese Odia, as Blockchain.com's General Manager, Africa
By Blockchain.com May 27, 2025

Blockchain.com Leans Into Africa Growth with Plans to Open First Office in Region and Welcomes Financial Industry Veteran Owenize Irese Odia as Region’s General Manager.

We are thrilled to welcome Owenize Irese Odia as General Manager, Africa, as we continue to accelerate our mission to usher in the future of finance across the continent. Owen’s reputation as a crypto asset pioneer and advocate in Africa precedes her. A respected thought leader and experienced operator, she brings a deep commitment to expanding access to regulated crypto asset services, making her the ideal leader to scale Blockchain.com’s footprint in Africa.

As our user base grows steadily across Africa, led by West Africa, our fastest-growing market, we are entering a natural phase of regional investment and establishing a physical presence, beginning with our West African hub. This is a pivotal moment to establish a lasting presence, foster local partnerships, and engage constructively with regulators across the continent.

In her role, Owen will oversee Blockchain.com’s comprehensive business strategy in Africa, collaborating closely with global product, commercial, compliance, and regulatory teams. She will lead our efforts to:

Engage with regulators to pursue licensing and ensure compliance.

Grow Blockchain.com’s brand as a trusted and secure platform for crypto services;

Build and scale regional teams to serve the unique needs of local customers.

Our ambition is to become the go-to regulated platform for consumer investment and payments by investing in infrastructure, people, and regulatory clarity across Africa.

Owen brings over 17 years of experience in the financial sector. Her leadership at Luno as Country Manager for Nigeria was instrumental in driving cryptocurrency adoption and advancing financial literacy. In her most recent role as a Strategic Advisor, she championed regulatory engagement and cross-border partnerships throughout Africa, further solidifying her position as a leading voice in the digital asset space.

She holds a degree in Computer Engineering from Benson Idahosa University and a postgraduate degree in Mobile Computing from the University of Hertfordshire, an academic foundation that bridges finance and technology at the highest levels.

Reflecting on her new role, Owen shared:

“I’m honored to join Blockchain.com at such a critical time for the African digital asset landscape. We’re seeing exciting progress across the region, particularly in Nigeria, where the recently passed Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2024 offers long-awaited regulatory clarity. This Act empowers the SEC to oversee digital asset exchanges and virtual asset service providers, a major step forward for the sector.

We also commend the Bank of Ghana for releasing its 2024 exposure draft guidelines on digital assets. More recently, the Bank of Ghana announced its intention to begin regulating cryptocurrency and related platforms by the end of September 2025. This initiative positions Ghana alongside broader regulatory trends across Africa, where countries like Nigeria and South Africa have already established frameworks for digital asset oversight.

From Africa and beyond, we’re focused on building partnerships, driving financial inclusion, and creating opportunities through local hiring and regional investment. I’m excited to help shape the next phase of growth for Blockchain.com globally and for our 90 million+ wallet users worldwide.”

We’re confident that Owen’s leadership will not only strengthen our presence in Africa but also create lasting value for our customers, partners, and regulators alike.

Please join me in welcoming Owen to the Blockchain.com team.

— Lane Kasselman

President, Blockchain.com

Important Note:
This information is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for obtaining accounting, tax or financial advice from a professional advisor. The purchase of crypto entails risk. The value of crypto can fluctuate and capital involved in a crypto transaction is subject to market volatility and loss. Digital currencies are not bank deposits, are not legal tender, and are not backed by the government. Blockchain.com’s products and services are not subject to any governmental or government-backed deposit protection schemes. Legislative and regulatory changes or actions in any jurisdiction in which Blockchain.com’s customers are located may adversely affect the use, transfer, exchange, and value of digital currencies.