Vwakpo Ekpagha

Vwakpo Ekpagha is an Associate in the firm's Technology, Innovation, and Fintech Practice Group. Admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2022, she advises leading domestic and international clients on a broad range of fintech transactions, technology-driven products, digital assets, data protection, and regulatory compliance matters.

Her practice focuses on providing legal and regulatory support to fintech companies, payment service providers, and technology businesses operating in Nigeria and across international markets. She has advised clients on payment services regulation, anti-money laundering (AML/CFT/CPF) compliance, digital asset frameworks, data protection compliance, and financial technology licensing requirements.

Vwakpo has assisted clients with applications to the Central Bank of Nigeria for Payment Solution Service Provider (PSSP) licences and has advised financial technology businesses on regulatory obligations and compliance frameworks. She has also conducted data protection compliance audits for organizations including Busha, Still Earth Capital, Moove, and Tenece, ensuring compliance with applicable Nigerian data protection laws.

Her experience further includes advising on cryptocurrency-related projects under the Securities and Exchange Commission's digital asset regulations, drafting complex commercial agreements for technology companies, and participating in investor due diligence exercises, including work connected with Development Partners International's US$110 million investment in Moniepoint.

Vwakpo holds a B.L from the Nigerian Law School and an LL.B from the University of Lagos. She is also the author of several publications on digital assets, artificial intelligence regulation, fintech innovation, contactless payments, and data protection law. She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association.