From Venture Capital Investor to FinTech Operator: Navigating a Career Pivot
By Chidinma Okoli, LGT Impact Fellow at Moniepoint, Nigeria
The last 12 months as an LGT Impact Fellow at Moniepoint have been nothing short of transformational. I discovered the fellowship at a pivotal moment in my career as I contemplated a pivot to an operational role after working as an investment professional in the African technology ecosystem for over half a decade.
Borrowing the practice of periodically auditing companies’ financials and internal operations, I audited my own life, reviewing my career goals and objectives to identify gaps and areas of improvement. The outcome of this exercise was an interesting realization: to unlock my next level of growth, I sought to gain some operational experience by working within a high-growth scaleup, where I could contribute insights to global growth and strategic initiatives, launch innovative products, and execute multi-country expansions.
A Leap Into the Unknown
The LGT Fellowship offered exactly that: a meaningful opportunity to explore a new path alongside a cohort of like-minded fellows from different backgrounds across Africa and Asia; fellows who despite having had significantly different careers across private and development sectors, were unified by a shared quest for growth, impact, and leadership in unfamiliar territories.
Joining Moniepoint as a Fellow on the Mergers & Acquisitions and Investor Relations team challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, wear multiple hats, and think outside the box while solving problems with immediate real-world impact. I had the opportunity to shape my role, lead exciting projects, demonstrate the unique value I bring, and build new relationships from the ground up, all while contributing to a mission I believe in providing financial happiness for Africans, everywhere.
This experience has reshaped my perspective on navigating career and life transitions. If you’re considering a similar pivot, here are five truths I now live by. Think of this as a framework to guide your decision-making process:
Guiding Principles for Navigating Career Transitions
1. It’s okay to start without knowing the end.
Starting something new without a defined endpoint can be daunting, but it can also be liberating. You don’t always need to have your ducks in a row before making a decision; sometimes, taking the first step and leading with curiosity is all that matters, as some of the best outcomes in life come from embracing the unknown. Having this mindset throughout my fellowship gave me the freedom to explore different paths within the company, focusing on my growth rather than predetermined outcomes.
2. Flexibility is your greatest asset.
Being the first LGT Fellow at my organization meant there was no predefined roadmap. I had to remain flexible and adaptable, constantly aligning myself with the goals and objectives I set at the beginning of the fellowship. Each quarter, I revisited my North Star, asking myself: Am I achieving what I set out to do? What adjustments do I need to make? And which stakeholders do I need to engage with? This level of internal clarity and sense of direction helped me navigate ambiguity and course-correct when needed.
3. Agility is key.
In a fast-paced environment where priorities are changing daily, the ability to remain agile, adapt, and make decisions with imperfect information is a critical skill. I’ve learned to be comfortable with not having all the answers, focusing on incremental progress, rather than perfection. Decisiveness in the face of uncertainty is truly a superpower.
4. Building trust and connection in a remote world is essential.
In a remote-first organization, learning how to build trust, ask the right questions, and connect with people beyond virtual meetings is vital. In today’s increasingly digital world, authentic connection cannot be overlooked as it enables you to build necessary relationships and alignment across cross-functional teams. I made it a point to go into the office periodically or grab coffee with colleagues to put faces to names and further deepen relationships.
5. Due diligence remains king.
Having a thorough understanding of the acquiring company’s roadmap, new product needs, and the role of M&A in addressing those gaps is critical. In addition, evaluating non-financial metrics such as market readiness, team dynamics, product robustness, and tech integration is equally as important as analyzing a company’s financials.
Contributing to a Broader Vision
At Moniepoint, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to the company’s mission of delivering essential financial and business management tools to individuals and businesses, transforming lives through financial inclusion. From hosting investors at our Lagos office and going on market visits to demonstrate our point-of-sale terminals in action, to researching new markets for expansion and speaking with customers, I’ve witnessed first-hand how finance, when done right, can be a powerful tool for empowerment.
As I wrap up this phase of the fellowship and continue my role with Moniepoint, I’m proud of the work we’ve done and excited about what lies ahead.
In the words of Tosin, CEO of Moniepoint: “Sometimes, growth doesn’t come from playing it safe. It comes from feeling stuck, taking a leap, and learning as you go.”
I took the leap. And I’m glad I did.