Omobola Johnson is driving Africa’s tech growth through leadership in policy and venture capital.
Omobola Johnson is a Nigerian technocrat and business executive who has significantly impacted the country’s technology industry and is now influencing the growth of Africa’s venture capital sector. She is motivated by a vision to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation through strategic investments, innovation, and inclusive growth. By combining her extensive experience in technology, government, and venture capital, she strives to create a lasting impact.
Born on June 28, 1963, Johnson dedicated over two decades to a global consulting firm known as Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting), where she advanced to the position of Country Managing Director for Nigeria.
Her transition to public service began in 2011 when she was appointed Nigeria’s first Minister of Communication Technology under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. At that time, the ministry was newly established and tasked with accelerating Nigeria’s digital development.
During her tenure from 2011 to 2015, Johnson oversaw several foundational initiatives, including the launch of the NigComSat-IR satellite, the development of Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan (2013–2018), and programs aimed at expanding internet access to schools and underserved communities. These efforts were part of the government’s objectives to establish a digital economy and improve connectivity throughout the country.
In addition to her public sector work, Johnson is one of the co-founders of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), an organisation established in 2001 to advance the representation and leadership of women in Nigeria’s business and public sectors.
Johnson’s transition to Venture Capital
After her tenure in government, Omobola Johnson transitioned into the venture capital sector in 2015 by joining TLcom Capital as a Senior Partner. She was brought on board to lead the firm’s Lagos office as TLcom expanded its presence in Africa.
Originally founded in 1999 with a focus on technology investments in Europe and Israel, TLcom began shifting its focus toward Africa in the 2010s. This shift culminated in the launch of the Technology and Innovation for Developing Economies (TIDE) Africa Fund in 2017, which is designed to support startups that leverage digital platforms to tackle challenges on the continent.
Johnson’s background in both the private and public sectors positioned her to guide TLcom’s investment strategy in West Africa. She has since played a role in deal sourcing, evaluating investment opportunities, and providing strategic support to portfolio companies. Her work includes helping startups navigate regulatory environments, build leadership teams, and connect with capital networks.
Under Johnson’s leadership in Lagos, TLcom has deepened its engagement in Nigeria’s startup scene. The firm has backed several early-to-growth-stage companies across sectors such as fintech, education, and agritech. TLcom’s assets under management reportedly exceed $350 million, and recently closed its second Africa-focused fund, TIDE Africa Fund II, at $154 million, expanding its reach beyond Sub-Saharan Africa to North Africa, including Egypt.
“TLcom Capital offers a great opportunity to our investor partners and global private capital to achieve significant returns as well as support world-class technology entrepreneurs who are working in Africa to create solutions for local and the global markets.” Omobola Johnson once mentioned.
Her engagement in the venture space also builds on her previous efforts as Minister, including the creation of platforms like the iDea Hub and Tech Launchpad, both designed to enhance Nigeria’s capacity for innovation.
Board memberships and ongoing advocacy
Outside of her role at TLcom, Omobola Johnson serves on several boards. She is a non-executive director at MTN Nigeria and Guinness Nigeria, where she made history as the first female chair of the board. Additionally, she is a board member at Custodian and Allied Insurance Limited. The businesswoman also holds the position of Honorary Chairperson at the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), a global coalition advocating for universal internet access, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
She is actively involved in promoting gender inclusion in leadership and continues her long-standing engagement with WIMBIZ and other initiatives that focus on women’s economic participation.
From leading a global consultancy to managing a key government ministry and now steering investments in African startups, Omobola Johnson has become an icon in some of the most influential sectors of Nigeria’s modern economy.
