OPay names eight directors as it prepares NGX secondary listing for Nigerian investors

OPay has named eight directors and executive officers in its prospectus as the fintech pursues a secondary listing on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) after a proposed US listing. The company has secured board and shareholders' approval for the Nigerian listing, which could give local investors access to its shares.

The plan depends on market conditions and regulatory approval. OPay also warned that shares traded on the NGX may not be transferable to its American depositary shares on the New York Stock Exchange without special arrangements, potentially affecting liquidity and prices. The prospectus was filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on October 9, 2026.

Who sits on the board and executive team

James Zhou, 49, founded OPay and serves as its non-executive chairman. He also chairs Opera Limited and founded Chinese technology firm Kunlun Tech. He holds degrees in mechanical and optical engineering from Tsinghua University.

Lars Rahbaek Boilesen, 59, and Stephen Wen, 43, are listed as co-CEOs. Boilesen oversees regulatory communication, market entry and strategic expansion. He previously led Opera Software as CEO from 2010 to 2016 and chaired Bemobi from 2021. He also held leadership positions at Napatech. Wen oversees OPay's global business, product development and research. He previously held senior roles at Ant Group, including leadership responsibilities at Alipay Hong Kong, and has more than 15 years of fintech and digital banking experience.

Fuzile, 60, is CEO of Africa Regions at Standard Bank Group. He previously led Standard Bank South Africa and spent more than 19 years at South Africa's National Treasury, eventually becoming director-general.

Knudsen, 62, founded and leads investment and advisory firm TRK Group AS. He previously spent nearly 23 years at McKinsey & Company as a senior partner and has served on Opera Limited's board since 2018.

Malcolmson, 48, has been global CFO of GMPL Pty Ltd since December 2021. He previously served as CFO for Asia Pacific at Crown Equipment and holds professional qualifications in accounting and taxation.

Wong, 52, leads the Aspen Institute's China Fellowship programme and founded digital media company RADII Media. He also worked at Alibaba Group for more than 16 years and has experience in investment and international business.

Perry, 52, oversees OPay's finance and legal functions, regulatory compliance and investor relations. Before joining the company, he was managing director and head of Asia Pacific technology investment banking at Citigroup, advising companies on capital markets and mergers and acquisitions.

What the listing means for Nigerian investors

The leadership team includes executives with experience at Standard Bank, McKinsey, Ant Group, Citigroup and other international firms. If the NGX listing proceeds, Nigerian investors could gain access to OPay shares. But the company has flagged the transferability gap between NGX shares and its American depositary shares, a liquidity risk investors will watch closely.