Mitchell Elegbe Biography, Age, Wife, Net Worth

Mitchell Elegbe is a smart Nigerian engineer and business leader who started Interswitch, a top payment company in Africa. He works hard to solve money problems with technology and helps young people grow. He is known for his big ideas, strong leadership, and love for making life easier through innovation.

Mitchell Elegbe Biography

Mitchell Olusegun Elegbe, born on November 14, 1973, is a well-respected Nigerian entrepreneur, technology expert, and business leader. He is best known as the founder and Group Managing Director/CEO of Interswitch, one of Africa’s top digital payment companies. Born in Benin City, Edo State, he grew up facing tough challenges. He lost his father before birth and was raised by his uncle in Aladja, Delta State. From a young age, Mitchell showed resilience and determination, doing small businesses in school like selling shirts and recording music tapes to survive. Today, he is celebrated across Africa for his innovative thinking and impact in the fintech world.

Mitchell Elegbe Educational Background

Mitchell studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Benin, Nigeria. After graduating, he completed his National Youth Service at a software firm called CSA. Later, he joined the prestigious Global CEO Program offered by Wharton (USA), IESE (Spain), and CEIBS (China), showing his hunger for global business knowledge.

Mitchell Elegbe Career

Mitchell started his career as a field engineer with Schlumberger Wireline and Testing in Scotland. After a year, he returned to Nigeria and worked at Telnet, where he became the Group Head for Business Development. It was while at Telnet that the idea for Interswitch began. Many companies rejected his idea of a payment switch, but Mitchell didn’t give up. Instead, he started his own company, and that decision changed the digital payment space in Africa.

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Mitchell Elegbe Interswitch

In 2002, Mitchell founded Interswitch, a company built to solve Nigeria’s slow and risky cash-based transaction system. With help from Accenture, he got support from banks and launched the company. Interswitch has grown into a major digital payments platform in Africa, creating innovations like Quickteller and Verve Card. The company now serves millions across Africa, owns over 11,000 ATMs, and has spread to countries like Uganda, Kenya, and others. In 2023, Interswitch received a Payments Service Holding Company license from Nigeria’s Central Bank, making it one of the first to earn such approval.

Mitchell Elegbe Awards

Mitchell Elegbe has received several awards for his leadership and innovation, including:

• CNBC/Forbes All African Business Leader (West Africa) – 2012
• Ernst & Young (EY) Entrepreneur of the Year – 2023 (West Africa)
• African Banker Icon – 2019
• IFC Inclusive Business Leader Award
• Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship – 2013
• Inducted into EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame

His company, Interswitch, was also named Africa’s fastest-growing tech business by Deloitte in 2014.

Mitchell Elegbe Age

Mitchell was born on November 14, 1973, he is 51 years old as of 2024.

Mitchell Elegbe Tribe

Mitchell is proudly from the Bini tribe, part of the Edo ethnic group in the South-South region of Nigeria.

Mitchell Elegbe’s Personal Life

Mitchell deeply values family. He is the youngest child of his parents. After his father passed away before he was born, his uncle became his father figure and raised him. Mitchell believes in kindness, mentoring others, and building strong teams.

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Mitchell Elegbe Wife

Mitchell Elegbe is happily married to Mercy Elegbe. He often calls her his best friend and biggest support. They dated for 7 years and have now been married for 26 years. Mitchell always speaks warmly about their love, saying it still feels fresh, like they are just beginning.

Mitchell Elegbe Children

Mitchell and Mercy Elegbe have four lovely children. Their first two boys are twins, followed by a daughter and another son. He is proud of his children and values the joy and happiness they bring into their family.

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Mitchell Elegbe Parents

Mitchell’s father sadly died before he was born. His mother raised him with the support of his uncle, who played a major role in his upbringing and success.

Mitchell Elegbe Net Worth

Mitchell Elegbe has an estimated net worth of $320 million as of 2025, earned mainly from his role as the founder and CEO of Interswitch, one of Africa’s top digital payment companies. His success reflects years of hard work, innovation, and dedication to transforming the fintech space in Nigeria and beyond.

Mitchell Elegbe Social Media Handles

Mitchell Elegbe is active on social media, where he shares moments from his personal and professional life. You can find him on

• Instagram: @mystiqueswitch.