Zone, Africa’s First Blockchain Company, Chosen to Join Endeavor’s Global Network

Zone (previously Appzone) is a regulated blockchain network that facilitates payments (by connecting banks and fintechs) and digital currency adoption.

After obtaining a switching and processing license from the Central Bank of Nigeria, Zone became Africa’s first regulated blockchain-powered payment network. Zone’s blockchain-powered payment infrastructure enables member institutions to communicate directly with one another and conduct payment transactions without the need for a middleman, while totally automating settlement, reconciliation, and dispute resolution.

In November 2022, the company broke off its old Banking as a Service business, becoming a separate organization called Qore, while shifting its focus to become a pure-play Payment Infrastructure company with a new brand name, zone.

“Joining the Endeavor network underscores our unwavering commitment to reshaping Africa’s payments landscape. The network’s pledge to support entrepreneurs resonated with us from our first encounter. As we continually strive to deliver reliable, frictionless and universally interoperable payments to Financial Services Providers in Africa and beyond, Endeavor’s platform will significantly fuel our growth and extend our reach.“

Wale Onawunmi, Co-founder and CTO at Zone, adds:

“We’re thrilled to be part of this prestigious global community. Entrepreneurship thrives on collaboration and shared learning, and Endeavor embodies this spirit. We look forward to leveraging this unique ecosystem of entrepreneurs, partners, and investors, driving our technical prowess to further levels of innovation and efficiency in the payment sector.”

The ISP is the final stage of a multi-step tough selection process in which candidates pitch their enterprises to top worldwide business executives and investors from the Endeavor network, officially naming those who receive a unanimous vote Endeavor Entrepreneurs.

According to Endeavor Board Member, Yemi Lalude, once entrepreneurs are chosen to be part of the network by a team of global panelists, they are provided with a comprehensive range of services that empower them to accelerate the growth of their businesses and significantly increase their influence and effectiveness.

“We are delighted that Obi, Emeka, and Wale have been selected as Endeavor Entrepreneurs. It is well-deserved recognition for all they have accomplished so far – and all that is to come.”

“We are thrilled to have Zone join the Endeavor network! We’re excited to support Obi, Wale, and Emeka to scale Zone’s financial services infrastructure across the African continent, and help them supercharge the already buzzing Nigerian tech ecosystem,” said Linda Rottenberg, Endeavor co-founder and CEO.

“Zone is on its way to becoming the de facto for empowering, digitizing, and automating financial services in Africa,” added Endeavor Nigeria’s Managing Director, Ireayomide Oladunjoye. “We’re thrilled to have Obi Emetarom, Emeka Emetarom, and Wale Onawunmi join the Endeavor Global network and lead Zone and their products into the next phase of high-impact growth.”

As part of the Endeavor network, newly selected entrepreneurs will have access to a comprehensive and strategic range of global support services. These services include connections to local and international business mentors, investors, and volunteers from renowned consulting firms, including those from Fortune 500 companies. This support will assist entrepreneurs in addressing their key business needs and challenges.

Endeavor Entrepreneurs have a remarkable track record of making a significant impact. They have collectively created over 4.1 million jobs, generated revenues exceeding $42 billion, and played a crucial role in establishing sustainable growth models in their respective countries.

Zone, being the 19th company to be chosen for the global Endeavor network through the regional office in Nigeria, exemplifies the increasing expectations for exceptional entrepreneurs who possess ambitious visions and the ability to execute their plans on a large scale.

They join Ngozi Dozie & Chijioke Dozie (Carbon), Etop Ikpe (Autochek), Gbenga Agboola & Ife Orioke (Flutterwave), Tayo Oviosu & Jay Alabraba (Paga), Ekechi Nwokah (Migo), Jasper Graf von Hardenberg & Christian Wessels (Daystar Power), Obi Ozor (Kobo), Kene Okwuosa & Moses Babatope(FilmHouse Group), Onyekachi Izukanne, Michael Ukpong & Ruke Awaritefe (TradeDepot), among others