Global investing has resembled an exclusive club for decades, with most Africans left outside its guarded doors. Complex systems, prohibitive costs, and limited access have prevented the continent from participating in international wealth creation. In 2021, a report by Ashmore Group revealed that Africa’s share of global finance was disproportionately low, with a ratio of 0.3 compared to its share of global GDP, highlighting significant financial disparities. This exclusion has stifled economic growth and perpetuated financial inequality across the continent. Yanmo Omorogbe saw this as a problem that needed to be fixed. Her relentless drive for financial inclusion led her to co-found Bamboo, a platform revolutionising Africans’ investments in global markets.
From engineering to entrepreneurship
Yanmo Omorogbe went from a chemical engineering graduate from Imperial College London to becoming a driving force in fintech. Born on November 2nd, 1994, in Benin City, Nigeria, she explored roles in actuarial science, sustainable waste management, and infrastructure investment, which helped her gain a broad perspective on economic systems.
While working at African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) as an assistant to Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, she observed how financial barriers hindered economic growth. She questioned why wealth creation seemed to be reserved for a select few.
She knew this had to change, so in 2019, she and co-founder Richmond Bassey launched Bamboo Investment, a platform that allows Africans to invest in U.S. stocks with just a few taps on their phones.
Bridging the investment gap
Bamboo was designed to be intuitive, transparent, and accessible. This made it easier for everyday people to own shares in global giants. It allowed Africans to see investing as a long-term wealth-building tool rather than a game for the elite. The platform gives Africans direct access to international markets, allowing them to invest in U.S. stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and fixed-income products without middlemen or unnecessary red tape.
One of the standout features is fractional investing, which means you don’t need vast amounts of money to get started. Whether you have $10 or $1,000, you can buy some high-value stocks in top companies like Apple, Amazon, or Tesla.
In January 2022, Bamboo secured $15 million in funding, accelerating its expansion across Africa. The platform has over 3,500 stocks, 100,000 plus active investors from three countries and over 750,000 unique trades executed by April 2024.
Beyond her work at Bamboo, Yanmo Omorogbe is a fierce advocate for STEM education for young African women to inspire future leaders in technology and finance. As a CFA Level 3 candidate, she continues to refine her expertise to ensure that Bamboo remains at the forefront of financial innovation.
