Imagine wanting to invest in global markets but being told, “It’s just not for people like you”. For decades, this was the reality for most Africans. Accessing global securities was either impossible or a grueling, expensive process reserved for an elite few. For Yanmo Omorogbe, that narrative was unacceptable. Armed with vision, grit, and an unwavering belief in possibility, she co-founded Bamboo, the platform that is reshaping how Africans approach wealth creation by putting global markets at their fingertips.
From navigating a career in infrastructure investment to building what she calls “Fidelity for the African continent,” Yanmo’s journey is one of audacity and disruption. But how did a chemical engineering graduate from Imperial College London become one of Africa’s leading voices in fintech? Let’s dive into the story of the woman transforming financial possibilities for an entire continent.
A Foundation in Excellence
Born November 2, 1994, in Benin City, Nigeria, Yanmo Omorogbe’s early life was a testament to focus and determination. Her academic brilliance paved the way to Imperial College London, where she earned a degree in Chemical Engineering, one of the most demanding courses globally. While many would follow the traditional engineering route, Yanmo had other ideas.
Her early career saw her dabble in roles that would seem disconnected at first glance: from actuarial science at Tokio Marine Kiln to waste management innovation at Wecyclers Corporation. But as her career evolved, a pattern began to emerge—Yanmo wasn’t just interested in solving problems; she wanted to build systems that transformed industries.
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From Infrastructure to Investment
Yanmo’s foray into finance began as an investment analyst and associate at African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM). Here, she worked on large-scale projects tackling Africa’s pressing infrastructure needs, gaining a deep understanding of managing massive investment portfolios.
Her time as an assistant to Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Works, and Housing further sharpened her perspective on systemic challenges, particularly inefficiencies in critical sectors. Yanmo saw firsthand how limited access to resources—physical infrastructure or financial opportunities—was holding back the continent’s growth.
This experience, combined with her natural problem-solving mindset, would later fuel her mission with Bamboo.
The Birth of Bamboo
The inspiration for Bamboo came from a simple observation. Despite being home to 30% of all wealth in Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa), Nigeria’s wealthy population was practically locked out of global capital markets. If you wanted to invest in U.S. stocks, the process was absurdly convoluted—your asset manager had to call an international broker just to execute a single trade.
In 2019, Yanmo and her co-founder, Richmond Bassey, launched Bamboo to change this. With its sleek mobile app, Bamboo allowed individuals to trade in U.S. stocks directly, bypassing the labyrinth of intermediaries. For wealth managers, Bamboo offers a powerful brokerage tool to manage multiple portfolios seamlessly.
Suddenly, everyday Africans could invest in global giants like Amazon, Apple, and Google from the comfort of their phones. What was once the privilege of 0.01% of the population became an opportunity for millions.
Building Fidelity for Africa
Yanmo and her team envisioned Bamboo as more than a platform—it was a movement. By making global markets accessible, they were democratizing investment and transforming the way Africans thought about wealth creation.
For wealthy Africans and their asset managers, the old investing system needed to be more efficient. Bamboo dismantled these barriers, offering transparency, affordability, and ease of use. The result? A product that has been likened to Fidelity, one of the most trusted financial brands in the U.S., but tailored for Africa’s unique needs.
Yanmo’s leadership was instrumental in raising $15 million in funding for Bamboo in January 2022, enabling the company to scale its operations and expand its global reach.
Empowering Africans to Dream Bigger
Bamboo’s impact goes beyond financial inclusion—it’s a cultural shift. By giving Africans direct access to global securities, the platform has inspired a new generation to dream more significant about their financial futures. Users who once thought owning stocks in international companies was an impossible luxury now see it as an attainable reality.
Under Yanmo’s leadership, Bamboo has also broadened its offerings to include the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), ensuring that local opportunities remain a core part of its mission.
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A Visionary with Purpose
At just 30 years old, Yanmo Omorogbe has already accomplished what many can only dream of. But she’s far from done. As a CFA Level 3 candidate, she continues refining her investment management expertise, ensuring Bamboo stays ahead of the curve in a fast-evolving industry.
Her passion extends beyond fintech; Yanmo is a fierce advocate for STEM education for girls in Africa, using her platform to inspire the next generation of women leaders.
The Legacy Yanmo Is Building
Yanmo Omorogbe isn’t just disrupting Africa’s financial sector; she’s redefining what’s possible for an entire continent. Through Bamboo, she’s shown that Africans can compete and thrive on a global stage with the right tools and vision. Her journey serves as a beacon of hope, proving that access and opportunity can rewrite even the most entrenched narratives.
If there’s one takeaway from Yanmo’s story, it’s this: the future of Africa’s wealth lies in its ability to connect with the world, and leaders like Yanmo are making that future a reality.