“The next generation of African innovators won’t wait for validation. They’re not asking to be included — they’re building their own tables." - MJ Jalloh

Summary:

In this episode of BLKGirl Ambition, host Niya Baxter sits down with Mariama “MJ” Jalloh, a powerhouse at the intersection of finance, regulation, and technology — and the founder of FinTech with MJ. A proud Howard alum and daughter of Sierra Leonean parents, MJ shares her remarkable journey from two decades at KPMG to becoming one of the boldest voices in Africa’s fintech revolution. Together, they unpack what it means to walk away from comfort and bet on yourself — even when the world doesn’t expect you to. MJ reveals what she’s learned about building in emerging markets, the importance of African-led innovation, and why resilience and resourcefulness are the new currencies of leadership. From confronting Western bias in global finance to empowering African founders to lead their own narratives, MJ’s story is a masterclass in courage, clarity, and conviction. For anyone redefining what leadership, ambition, and global influence look like — this conversation is a reminder that betting on yourself isn’t risky; it’s revolutionary.

This episode dives deep into:

✨ Leaving corporate comfort for purpose-driven impact

✨ Why Africa is the next frontier for fintech and innovation

✨ The real cost of scaling in emerging markets

✨ Lessons from global founders who failed — and what they teach us about risk, capital, and grit

✨ Redefining legacy as something bigger than personal success

Keywords:

Black Girl Ambition, FinTech with MJ, entrepreneurship, career transitions, fintech, tech, finance, Africa, innovation, mentorship, self-sufficiency, policy shifts, resilience, visionary

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to Black Girl Ambition

00:59 Meet MJ: A Powerhouse in FinTech

02:44 Career Transitions: From Corporate to Startups

05:01 Mission-Driven Work: The Shift to Leading in Alliance for Innovative Regulation (AIR)

05:59 FinTech with MJ: Balancing Startup and Nonprofit

10:16 Investing in Africa's Tech Future

18:50 Policy Shifts and Industrialization in Africa

19:34 Transforming Raw Materials into Economic Power

22:09 The Challenge of Self-Sufficiency in Africa

24:57 The Invisible Hand: External Forces at Play

28:26 Navigating the Landscape of Emerging Markets

36:21 The Importance of Brand Storytelling for Founders

Takeaways:

Black Girl Ambition is a movement for empowerment.

MJ transitioned from corporate success to mission-driven work.

Innovation in Africa is crucial for global tech advancement.

Resilience is key for entrepreneurs in emerging markets.

Policy shifts can significantly impact industrialization in Africa.

Self-sufficiency is often undermined by global perceptions.

Founders need to understand their capital stack.

Mentorship is vital for navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.

A compelling brand story can attract investment.

Success is measured by the legacy one leaves behind.

Connect with MJ Jalloh:

website: www.fintechwithmj.com (visit the website to download Sources of Capital! If you're a founder looking to raise capital this resource is for you!)

IG & Tik Tok: @fintechwithmj

LinkedIn: Mariama Jalloh-Heyward

MJ's Book, Maximum Viable Product (MVP) is scheduled to be released in fall 2025, followed by the MVP app in winter.

Thanks for all your love and support. Tag me while listening @blkgirlambition

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