From Selling Chewing Gum to Fintech Leadership: The Inspiring Journey of Collins Fomba
In an inspiring story of resilience, innovation and entrepreneurial determination, Cameroonian technology entrepreneur Collins Fomba Ken, founder and Chief Executive Officer of IWOMI Technologies Ltd, is demonstrating how humble beginnings can evolve into impactful contributions to the financial and banking sector.
From selling sweets and chewing gum as a primary school pupil to establishing a financial technology company serving banking and financial institutions, Fomba’s journey reflects a longstanding commitment to enterprise, service and technological innovation.
Established in 2015, IWOMI Technologies Ltd is a Cameroonian fintech company headquartered in Douala, with additional regional operations in Buea. The company is focused on advancing financial inclusion across Africa through digital transformation, specialized software and technology infrastructure for financial institutions, businesses and consumers.
According to information provided about the company, IWOMI has developed more than 26 products, with a significant portion designed for business-to-business (B2B) operations. Its services target banks, microfinance institutions, corporate financial institutions and other businesses seeking to modernize their technological systems and improve service delivery.
Building Digital Solutions for Africa’s Financial Sector
IWOMI Technologies offers a range of services, including systems integration, core banking system implementation and maintenance, IT strategy consulting and digital transformation support.
Its technology portfolio includes IWOMI CORE, designed to connect banking modules and legacy software interfaces, and IWOMI PAY, an application programming interface (API) suite that enables businesses to collect customer invoice payments online. The payment solution supports channels such as Mobile Money, GIMAC, Visa, MasterCard and PayPal, according to the company’s profile.
Other products include Loan 360, which automates credit processing and loan monitoring; ARES-Reporting, designed to support regulatory and banking reporting; and BillerPro, a cash management framework for corporate invoice collection.
Beyond institutional solutions, IWOMI has developed consumer-focused applications such as Softeller for electronic money transfers and remittances within Cameroon, MOSA for mobile sales and inventory management, IWAKAP for digital crowdfunding and community fundraising, and BKWIKI, an educational platform offering information on the African financial sector.
The company’s profile indicates that its services are used by more than 20 banks across countries including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad and Congo.
A Journey Rooted in Determination
Fomba’s entrepreneurial story began long before the establishment of IWOMI Technologies. As a primary school pupil, he reportedly sold sweets and chewing gum to support himself. During holidays, he would share some of his savings with children in his neighbourhood and give the remainder to his mother as support.
While in secondary school, he engaged in part-time photography, balancing work with his studies. Later, as a university student at the Polytechnic in Yaoundé, he ventured into the call box business. It was through this experience that he developed a strong interest in financial technology.
After completing his university education, Fomba gained professional experience working with institutions including CBC, French technology company Sopra and SCB. Following his time at SCB, he established IWOMI Technologies, laying the foundation for a business that would focus on technology-driven solutions for the financial sector.
Today, his journey is presented as an example of how perseverance, professional experience and a commitment to innovation can support entrepreneurial growth.
As IWOMI continues its work in digital finance, Collins Fomba’s story offers encouragement to young Cameroonians pursuing entrepreneurship, particularly those who aspire to use technology to create opportunities and address challenges within their communities.
His experience underscores the importance of starting with available opportunities, developing skills and maintaining a commitment to long-term goals.
