Patience Akyianu Is New Board Chair, Hans Nilsson Retires After a Decade of Service 

Accra, Ghana – November 20, 2025 – Hubtel today announced the appointment of Patience Akyianu as Chair of its Board of Directors. She succeeds Hans Nilsson, who steps down after a decade of service. The transition follows a planned succession process that preserves Hubtel’s commitment to continuity, strong governance, and steady growth.  

Hans has served as Chair of the Board since 2015. Over the past decade, he led the board through a period of deep structural strengthening. Committee systems were formalized, governance alignment advanced in line with Bank of Ghana guidelines, and oversight cadence became sharper. 

A long-term revenue target set in 2015 was achieved on schedule in 2025. Independent external reviews during his tenure prepared the company for potential public-market scrutiny. Hans was also known for his mentoring style, which developed leaders and supported fact-based boardroom debate. These qualities-built confidence in Hubtel’s systems and people. 

Patience Akyianu brings extensive leadership experience across banking and insurance. Her previous roles include Managing Director of Barclays Bank Ghana (now Absa Bank Ghana) and Chief Financial Officer for Standard Chartered’s Africa regional operations in Johannesburg. She has also served as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Ecobank Ghana. 

Since joining Hubtel’s Board in 2021, Patience has contributed to strengthening governance and oversight. Her deep expertise in finance, risk, and regulation makes her the right fit to lead the board into its next phase. 

“It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of Hubtel,” said Hans Nilsson, outgoing Chair. “The board is strong, the leadership team is ready, and the company is well-positioned for its next chapter. This is the right time for a planned handover. I wish Patience and the board every success.” 

“Serving on this board since 2021 has shown me the strength of the team and the scale of the opportunity,” said Patience Akyianu, incoming Board Chair. “The priority is clear: maintain trust, make everyday payments simpler for customers and merchants, and raise the bar on governance as Hubtel grows in Ghana and across Africa.” 

“Hubtel benefits from leaders who build both systems and people,” said Alex Bram, Chief Executive Officer. “We are grateful to Hans for a decade of steady guidance and proud to welcome Patience as Chair to steer governance, strategy, and disciplined growth.” 

The board began succession planning well in advance to ensure a smooth change in leadership. This planned handover supports continuity in strategy and governance, while giving stakeholders confidence that Hubtel’s focus on payment reliability, merchant value, and compliance will remain unchanged. 

Patience’s career spans banking and insurance, with roles that carried direct responsibility for finance, risk, and operations. Her boardroom experience includes exposure to listed-company standards and close engagement with regulators.

This background is well aligned with the needs of a payments and commerce platform that serves consumers, merchants, and partners across Ghana, while preparing for selective regional expansion. The board’s choice reflects a clear priority: sustain momentum, deepen oversight, and support growth with strong controls and transparent reporting. 

Under her leadership, the company will maintain its long-standing focus on reliable products, merchant growth, disciplined governance, open communication with regulators and partners, and continued investment in risk systems and data.

The board’s committees will continue to operate with rigor, ensuring leadership accountability and evidence-based expansion. Over the next 12 to 24 months, the emphasis will remain on strengthening reliability, driving merchant acquisition and retention, and pursuing regional opportunities where the business case is strongest. Throughout this period, Hubtel will uphold strict compliance with local regulation and provide clear updates on its progress. 

About Hubtel 

Hubtel is a leading technology company licensed by the Bank of Ghana as an Enhanced Payment Service Provider. The company makes it easy for people to find and pay for everyday essentials from local businesses of all sizes. 

Founded in 2005, Hubtel operates 23 offices across Ghana with about 700 employees. Its mission is to drive Africa forward by enabling everyone to find and pay for everyday essentials, with the vision of becoming Africa’s most useful company. 

Hubtel’s growth and innovation have been recognized by the Financial Times, which named it Ghana’s fastest-growing company for 2022. Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Forbes Magazine have also featured Hubtel for its role in Africa’s digital economy.