The Founder and Group Managing Director/CEO of Interswitch Group, Mitchell Elegbe, has been re-appointed to the global jury of the 2026 EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for the third consecutive year.
The prestigious awards, organised by Ernst & Young, will hold in June 2026 in Monte Carlo, Monaco, bringing together former regional winners from around the world to select the next global Entrepreneur of the Year.
Elegbe’s renewed appointment makes him the only African entrepreneur serving on the nine-member jury, which includes former finalists from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. His first appointment to the jury began in 2024.
EY describes the World Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame as an elite network of global business leaders recognised for outstanding innovation, leadership, and impact. Since its inception in 1986, the programme has honoured more than 10,000 entrepreneurs worldwide for building businesses that drive economic growth and transform industries.
Elegbe was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023, where he earned distinction as the only African and Black global finalist in that edition. He also holds the rare achievement of being the only entrepreneur in the programme’s 40-year history to win in both the Emerging and Master categories within his region, West Africa.
Widely regarded as a pioneer of Nigeria’s digital payments revolution, Elegbe founded Interswitch in 2002 to address payment infrastructure challenges in the country. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a leading African digital payments and commerce platform serving individuals, businesses, financial institutions, and governments.
Over the years, he has received several awards, including the African Banker Icon Award, CNBC/Forbes African Business Leader recognition, and honours from the Fintech Africa Awards. He is also a Fellow of the African Leadership Institute and an Endeavor Entrepreneur.
More details on the 2026 jury and awards are available via EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
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