Obi Emetarom is a seasoned tech entrepreneur who has been at the forefront of innovation in the financial services industry since 2004. As co-founder of Parkway Projects, he spearheaded the delivery of bespoke fintech solutions for Nigeria’s commercial banks, driving the company to surpass $1 million in revenue. In 2008, Obi co-founded Appzone, where he led the development of groundbreaking technologies, including Africa’s first Banking SaaS platform, custom fintech software, and advanced card management systems.

Today, Obi is pioneering the concept of regulated blockchain, a transformative approach that combines the decentralization and efficiency of blockchain technology with the trust and legitimacy of traditional finance. This concept strengthens blockchain’s value proposition by delivering its benefits, such as decentralized digital financial solutions while embedding regulatory compliance at its core.

In November 2022, Appzone underwent a strategic evolution, resulting in the establishment of Zone, a blockchain-based payment infrastructure company. This shift also saw the creation of Qore, an independent enterprise core banking solutions provider. With Zone, Obi has successfully secured a switching and processing license from the Central Bank of Nigeria, making the company’s infrastructure Africa’s first regulated blockchain network for payments.

Under Obi’s leadership, Zone has emerged as one of Africa’s fastest-growing payment infrastructure companies. As a global advocate for regulated blockchain, Obi is actively shaping conversations around blockchain regulations and compliance. He envisions a future where payment systems are powered entirely by regulated blockchains like Zone, offering unparalleled reliability, efficiency, and interoperability to financial ecosystems globally.